SACA Releases New Micro-Credentials
The Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) is pleased to announce the release of new micro-credentials covering a variety of smart automation technologies into pilot phase. SACA members are encouraged to begin offering these credentials to ensure the workforce is certified in these essential areas:
- C-217 Smart Manufacturing Fundamentals
Prepares individuals to describe the principles, technologies, and applications of Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and how they affect the competitive position of manufacturers. Further, individuals must be able to safely operate basic smart automation systems that use Human Machine Interface (HMI) panels, monitor system operation parameters and energy usage using HMI visualization software, and connect/test to smart devices through point-to-point Ethernet communications.
- C-218 Smart Manufacturing Data Acquisition
Prepares individuals to identify types of manufacturing data and its function, describe how smart manufacturing data is collected and stored, set up and operate a dedicated cloud-based data acquisition system, interface and test analog and discrete sensing devices, configure and test wired and wireless Ethernet communications to sensors, and view data stored in a dedicated data acquisition system.
- C-219 Smart Manufacturing Visualization and Data Analytics
Prepares individuals to organize and interpret data using a variety of visualization methods, set up and operate visualization displays using dedicated and controller-based data acquisition systems, set up programmable controllers to collect data, configure Bluetooth technology to transfer information between devices, use OPC server software to facilitate data exchange between a smart device and a database or another smart device, set up Excel Spreadsheet, and use Excel to analyze data.
- C-220 Smart Manufacturing Data Transmission and Cybersecurity
Prepares individuals to assess potential cyber security threats to an industrial smart manufacturing system and data transmission methods, use best practices to protect stored and transmitted data against cyber security attacks, respond effectively to cyber security attacks, and set up secure industrial local area networks and firewalls.
- C-305 Industrial Electronic Systems 1
Prepares individuals to connect, adjust, operate, and troubleshoot industrial electronic linear DC power supplies, discrete input devices, and analog input devices. Troubleshooting skills include: adhering to electronic troubleshooting safety rules, reading electronic circuit diagrams, systems troubleshooting, component testing, and using digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, and status indicators. Components include: diodes, rectification circuits, Wheatstone bridge circuits, filter circuits, regulators, BJT transistors, PNP and NPN relays, analog temperature sensors, analog pressure sensors, analog proximity sensors, and signal conditioner circuits.
- C-306 Industrial Electronic Systems 2
Prepares individuals to connect, adjust, operate, and troubleshoot industrial electronic switching circuits used for motor control, switching power supplies and heating. Troubleshooting skills include: systems troubleshooting, component testing, and using digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, and status indicators. Components: FET/JFET/MOSFET/IGBT transistors, PWM amplifiers, switching DC power supplies, variable frequency amplifier circuits, operational amplifiers, SCR DC motor control switching circuits, and TRIAC AC motor control and heating switching circuits.
- C-307 Electronic Systems Installation 1
Prepares individuals to install and test/commission industrial electrical control systems that incorporate programmable logic controllers (PLC), human machine interface (HMI) panels, and variable frequency AC drives (VFD). Key skills include: adhering to electronic installation safety rules, using proper PPE, reading wiring installation diagrams with PLCs/HMIs/VFDs; cabinet mounting PLCs/HMIs/VFDs, wire routing and grounding PLCs/HMIs/VFDs, soldering/de-soldering to component terminals and printed circuit boards, installing Modbus and Ethernet communications network, and installing analog input transmitters and analog sensors.
- C-308 Variable Frequency Drive Systems 2
Prepares individuals to connect, configure, adjust, operate, and troubleshoot advanced AC variable frequency motor drives using sensorless vector and flux vector control modes. Key skills include: configuring control mode, connecting a VFD with 3-phase input, wiring/testing a dual channel incremental encoder interface and troubleshooting, configuring external speed control, monitoring and configuring PC-based drive software, configuring USB and Ethernet communications, and configuring/programming VFD communications with programmable logic controller.
- C-309 Programmable Controller Systems 2
Prepares individuals to program, configure, monitor, operate, and troubleshoot Ethernet communications between intelligent industrial automation devices using wired and wireless Ethernet communications. Key skills include: PLC implicit and explicit messaging, PLC distributed I/O, VFD-PLC Ethernet communications, VLAN security, wireless Ethernet networks, and IACS network troubleshooting.
- C-310 Ethernet Communications 2
Prepares individuals to program, configure, monitor, operate, and troubleshoot Ethernet communications between intelligent industrial automation devices using wired and wireless Ethernet communications. Key skills include: PLC implicit and explicit messaging, PLC distributed I/O, VFD-PLC Ethernet communications, VLAN security, wireless Ethernet networks, and IACS network troubleshooting.
- C-311 Data Analytics 1
Prepares individuals to program, configure, monitor, and operate cloud-based data analytics and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software systems in an Industry 4.0 environment. Key skills include: configuring production statistics collection from PLCs and other controllers via Ethernet networks, configuring production statistics and alarm dashboard display, OPC server configuration/interfacing to control devices, configuring maintenance management application, configuring alarm screen, configuring SQL database for storage of data from SCADA software, developing queries to SQL database to display data, and analyzing data to optimize systems.
- C-312 Robot Systems Integration 2
Prepares individuals to program, interface, and troubleshoot industrial robot systems in an Industry 4.0 automation environment. Key skills include: interfacing analog I/O to robot, communicating I/O control data to/from a PLC via Ethernet/IP network, vision guidance, and vision inspection. Programs commands include: group I/O, position offset, position register, analog I/O, Ethernet handshaking, end-effector macro, robot system troubleshooting, and alarm screen interpretation.
Smart automation technologies are vital parts of many major industries. These industries need highly skilled workers to fill thousands of open positions, and employers need to know that potential employees have the skills they need to hit the ground running.
That’s why SACA’s new micro-credentials were developed with input and guidance from a combination of industry experts and representatives from a variety of educational organizations. Thanks to these organizations and their expertise on the skills and competencies needed for today’s smart manufacturing workforce, SACA was able to create these new nationally recognized, occupation-driven micro-credentials.
About SACA
SACA sits at the forefront of the effort to certify students and workers who demonstrate the required knowledge and hands-on smart automation skills employers so desperately need. SACA’s certifications were developed in conjunction with industry partners who could speak from experience about their needs when it comes to workers able to work alongside a variety of advanced automation technologies.
SACA offers a wide variety of certifications in popular industrial skill areas, including certifications at the Associate, Specialist, and Professional level. For those wishing to focus on building a strong foundation of skills employers need, SACA also offers many micro-credentials that allow students and workers to add certifications as they master new areas.
For workers, SACA certifications can help market their smart automation skills to potential employers. For those employers, SACA certifications represent confirmation that a worker has the skills to hit the ground running in the workplace. To learn more about Industry 4.0 certifications and how SACA can help both future workers and industrial employers begin the task of bridging the Industry 4.0 skills gap, contact SACA for more information.
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Identifying specialists within the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
Supply chain issues persist within the global manufacturing industry. Although nimble companies have found ways to navigate the issues brought about by COVID19, experts still anticipate concerns continuing through 2022, caused by the lingering effects of the pandemic and other global events.
One of the most pervasive issues stems from the reality that domestic manufacturing relies heavily on components made in other countries. While efforts are being made to mend this, in particular attempts to re-instate the component manufacturing industry in the US, it’s clear that this industry will reemerge in a different way with a focus on mechanization and automation.
The foundation of a long term strategy to mitigate these problems in the future will involve leveraging the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which presents a groundbreaking opportunity for data capture at each step of a manufacturing process.
This extensive study by Inmarsat indicates that many manufacturing companies are either already using or anticipate using IIoT to enhance their productivity. A smart factory can track all elements of the production chain and communicate information and even anticipations within the network.
In addition to valuably capturing data, a smart-automation chain can perform pre-emptive actions based on the needs of the incoming workload; for example submitting a work-order for components required on the production line, utilizing a company’s secure industrial WLAN.
Unlike residential (or office) WiFi, an industrial system transfers small amounts of data, and as such requires a small amount of power but must remain uninterrupted. Knowledge of the specificities of these systems is essential to optimize an efficient order-to-customer pipeline.
Because of innovations like re-programmable robots and even rent-a-bot companies emerging, there is much less danger of expensive built-in obsolescence and more opportunity for network, automation and programming specialists within manufacturing companies.
Companies searching for highly-skilled workers to ease their supply chain disruptions want to make sure that potential employees actually have the skills to excel without significant additional training. That’s why industry-standard certifications are important for supply chain workers. They provide employers with evidence that a worker has the knowledge and hands-on skills to work with today’s advanced technologies.
Industrytoday.com states that ‘new developments in automation are allowing small manufacturers to meet demand while helping with American competitiveness’. Today’s workers need more advanced technical and technological skills than ever before. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough workers with these skills to fill the many roles available today, creating what is known throughout industry as the “skills gap.” Modern businesses must ensure that their workers have up-to-date, relevant accredited skills. How can companies be sure that their employees are at the correct skill-level?
The Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) focuses on connected-systems skills and leads the effort to certify students and workers who demonstrate the required knowledge and hands-on smart automation skills employers so desperately need. SACA professional development opportunities provide extensive training courses to equip teachers to promote Industry 4.0 certifications. These professional development opportunities are offered throughout the year at regional centers. Courses last 3-5 days each. Upon successful completion of each course, teachers will be certified in the process of examining students for a given credential and administrating a certification preparation course.
To learn more about Industry 4.0 certifications and how SACA can help both educational institutions and industry employers begin the task of bridging the Industry 4.0 skills gap, contact SACA for more information.
Header Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash
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Micro-Credentials Pave Micro-Pathways to Career Success
There are many new forms of advanced, “connected” technologies that characterize what’s commonly known as Industry 4.0. These technologies, as a group, also go by a variety of monikers, including Smart Factory and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
Today’s workers need more advanced technical and technological skills than ever before. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough workers with these skills to fill the many roles available today, creating what is known throughout industry as the “skills gap.”
That’s why the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) partnered with a wide variety of educational institutions and industry leaders to develop a set of Industry 4.0 certifications for a range of industries. These credentials were developed in conjunction with industry to ensure that they represent the job-ready skills that employers desperately need today.
SACA designed many of its certifications in a modular format, so that workers could earn stackable micro-credentials that will enable them to start a successful career before earning a full certification. A recent report by an educational nonprofit organization underscores the importance micro-credentials can play in creating micro-pathways to career success.
In this article, we will take a closer look at examples of educational institutions that are partnering with local industries to create micro-pathways based upon micro-credentials to put workers on a fast track to a new career.
What are Micro-Pathways?
The Education Design Lab (the “Lab”), “a national nonprofit that co-designs, prototypes, and tests education-to-workforce models” recently published a groundbreaking report on its latest efforts: Design Insights Brief: Community College Growth Engine Fund Micro-pathways: A Gateway to Community College Transformation (the “Brief”).
The Brief describes the launch of the “Community College Growth Engine Fund (CCGEF or the Fund, for short) – a design accelerator to work with community colleges and systems across the country to co-create a new class of credentials: micro-pathways. Co-designed with learners and employers, micro-pathways are defined as two or more stackable credentials, including a 21st century skill micro-credential, that are flexibly delivered to be achieved within less than a year and result in a job at or above the local median wage.”
The first CCGEF group of community colleges/systems included SACA members Ivy Tech Community College (Indiana) and Pima Community College (Arizona), as well as Seattle Colleges, the City University of New York, Prince George’s Community College, and Austin Community College.
Together with the Lab, these organizations developed 30 new micro-pathways over the past two years across a variety of industries. For example, relevant micro-pathway occupations targeted included the following: industrial engineering mechanic, electrician, HVAC technician, cloud associate, electro-mechanical manufacturing technician, cybersecurity professional, and entry-level data analyst.
Micro-Pathways Satisfy Both Learner and Employer Needs
During the development of these new micro-pathways, educational institutions and industry leaders gained valuable insights into how micro-credentials and targeted training satisfy both learner and employer needs. For example, they learned that students “need practical pathways with a clear return on investment (ROI).” Helping learners to understand the value they gain compared to their investment of time and money is essential.
Learners also “need flexible micro-pathways that meet them where they are in their journey.” In the wake of an ongoing global pandemic, it’s more important than ever to offer micro-credentials that offer “flexibility in format and timing as well as recognition of their life and work experiences.”
Importantly, they learned that students also “want and need deeper and more extensive work-based learning.” Starting and building relationships with employers via immersive experiences can put students on the fast track to career success. It also helps employers who “need learners to have work-based learning experiences,” such as internships, part-time jobs, school projects, or even volunteer projects.
Working closely with educational institutions also taught employers that “the micro-pathway co-design process [is] transformative to deepening their relationships with community colleges.” Not only does the process result in the creation of a pipeline of new skilled talent, but it also allows them “to provide input on an ongoing basis” as their needs evolve and change.
Finally, the process revealed that employers “strongly value training and credentialing for 21st century skills like communication, critical thinking and intercultural fluency.” Even as advanced technologies transform the workplace, these critical soft skills remain incredibly important to employers.
SACA Offers a Wide Variety of Micro-Credentials to Facilitate Micro-Pathways
How can your educational organization develop its own micro-pathways to student career success? The process begins by forging partnerships with local industries to determine the types of jobs they need to fill and what skills those roles require.
With a solid industry-education partnership forming the foundation of your effort to create new micro-pathways for your students, you can then choose the right micro-credentials to validate the skills employers are seeking. Fortunately, you don’t have to recreate the wheel.
SACA offers a wide variety of micro-credentials to facilitate micro-pathways to successful new careers for students. For example, here are just a few of the subject matter areas in which SACA offers micro-credentials: electrical, motor control, programmable controllers, mechanical, pneumatics, hydraulics, automation, Industry 4.0 technologies, robotics, electronic sensors, smart factory operations, process control, Ethernet communications, networking, data analytics, and predictive maintenance.
The Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) sits at the forefront of the effort to certify students and workers who demonstrate the required knowledge and hands-on smart automation skills employers so desperately need. To learn more about Industry 4.0 certifications and how SACA can help both educational institutions and industry employers begin the task of bridging the Industry 4.0 skills gap, contact SACA for more information.
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