CLC offers info sessions for HVAC, mechatronics careers

Are you unemployed or underemployed and looking for a technical career that you can learn quickly? In as little as 22 weeks of study at the College of Lake County, you can become an installation technician for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment for homes and businesses. And in one year of full-time study, you can become a highly sought-after and well-paid mechatronics technician. Mechatronics technicians are qualified to install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair automated, "intelligent" machinery used in manufacturing.

Both programs are offering opportunities for prospective students. Find out more about mechatronics careers at an information session on April 6 at 6 p.m. in Room D209 and May 19 at 1 p.m. on the CLC Grayslake Campus.

To learn about the HVAC field, job outlook and CLC's certificate and degree programs, attend an information session on April 8 and May 20 at 11 a.m. in Room T308 on the Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St.

Besides the 16-week, 18.5 credit-hour certificate program, the college's HVAC Engineering Technology, or HET program, offers other certificates as well as associate degrees. Graduates find work in positions such as installation technician, heating and air-conditioning technician, facilities building engineer and pipe fitter. Employers hiring graduates include Ack-Temp, Midwest Mechanical and Reedy Industry. To view an HET program career video and learn more about degree and certificate options, visit http://www.clcillinois.edu/programs/het.

The 30-hour mechatronics certificate prepares graduates for such positions as service technicians, electrical and electronics repairers; maintenance and repair workers; machinery maintenance workers; electronics engineering technicians; electro-mechanical technicians; robotics technicians; mechanical engineering technicians; and electrical and electronic equipment assemblers. Graduates are eligible to take exams for the Siemens Level 1 certification, the MSSC Certified Production Technician certification, Work Keys certification and the Solid Works Associate certification (depending upon the specific sequence of coursework).

Recent CLC mechatronics graduates have found employment with companies such as Amazon, Witron, Precision Resources, TriCore, Chicago Boiler and International Precision Components Corporation, according to LaMar Black, career programs coordinator. "These graduates are working in positions such as automation engineer, electro-mechanical technician, maintenance technician and mechanical drafter. We have been able to provide students with the skills necessary to be successful in today's job market," he said.

To view a mechatronics career video and learn more about the program, visit http://www.clcillinois.edu/careers/mechatronics. For more information, contact LaMar Black, career programs coordinator, at lblack1