Loyalist College launches Mechatronics diploma program to support the digital transformation of its regional manufacturing sector

Belleville, Ontario, February 18, 2021 – Today Loyalist College announced the launch of its new two-year Electromechanical Engineering Technician – Mechatronics Ontario college diploma program. It responds to local manufacturers’ needs for more skilled trades professionals who have a combination of mechanical, electrical, and computer software skills to design, implement, maintain and repair automation systems. As part of their program, students will complete Level One and Level Two of the globally recognized Siemens Mechatronics Systems certification, a micro-credential which Loyalist College and Siemens announced in January.

“With more than $5 billion output each year, manufacturing is the Bay of Quinte region’s largest economic contributor and has the potential to grow exponentially,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “Across the world, mechatronics is reshaping manufacturing through innovative technologies, which catalyze new organizations and enable existing manufacturers to attain new levels of quality, productivity and organizational efficiency. Employers have told us they need mechatronics programming and support, and we’ve responded to help them capitalize on the opportunities and champion the disruptive pressures of digitization, as well as decarbonization.”

Loyalist College’s Electromechanical Engineering Technician – Mechatronics program will be delivered in the College’s new mechatronics lab in The Bay of Quinte Skills Centre at the College’s Belleville campus. Learning will be facilitated by Loyalist College faculty who will be trained at the Siemens Technik Academy in Nuremberg, Germany.

“Loyalist College’s new mechatronics diploma program will prepare students to be more well-rounded and employable,” said Adam Hannafin, Director, Hannafin Automation & Industrial Controls. “The ability to understand how the electronic world interfaces with the mechanical world will help HAIC, because the strongest part of my business is our staff – so the stronger my staff are, the stronger we are.”

According to the 2020 Bay of Quinte Region Manufacturing Workforce and Technology Study, the region’s manufacturing sector is primed for industrial transformation:

• 92% of employers are aware of the need to develop a strategy for significant industrial transformation;
• 57% of manufacturers are in the process of transforming parts of their organization or have already had a substantial transformation; and
• 35% have developed or understand the need to develop a transformation strategy.

“Mechatronics means different things depending on what an organization does,” said Dean Young, General Manager, Magna Lighting. “Whether you look at electricians, millwrights or technicians/technologists, this is an area in which the industry overall is extremely strapped for resources. It is a critical and vital aspect of our business going forward, so to have that resource 10 minutes down the road is absolutely fantastic.”

Visit the program page for more details, including how to apply.

About Loyalist College

Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges and #1 in the country for industry research income as a percentage of total research income, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Of 2017-18 Loyalist graduates, 88.5 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.7 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $382 million annually to the regional economy – based on a March 2020 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.

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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment Loyalist College,
klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2536