WOR-WIC ROBOT.

Joe Roche, Wor-Wic Community College applied technologies department head and associate professor of trades, shows off a FANUC robot that students in the new electro-mechanical technologies program will use to learn industrial automation and robotics.

Wor-Wic Community College will offer a new associate of science degree in electro-mechanical technologies starting this fall.

The program teaches everything students need to know about how to safely put together, install, run and maintain buildings and machines in many industries. Graduates will be ready to move into the high-demand skilled trades. They may pursue careers as industrial machinery mechanics, installation, maintenance and repair workers, electrical and electronics repairer/technicians, stationary engineers and boiler operators and industrial maintenance technicians.

Joe Roche, applied technologies department head and associate professor of trades, said he considers the needs of the Lower Eastern Shore when designing classes, so that students can easily find employment.

“They can learn mechanical, electrical, electronics and some programming to control machines that make peoples’ lives easier and safer; manufacturing machines, supply chain distribution centers, robots too,” he said. “I have former students who fly to cities everywhere to install, repair or modify machinery, wind generators as well as solar.”

Roche says curious, resourceful people will thrive in the new program.

“If you like fixing things, trying to figure out how things work or learning new things regularly this skill set is for you,” Roche said. “Rather than teaching one specific skill set, the program is designed to allow students a broad knowledge of mechanical and electronic skills so they can fill a variety of jobs in the community according to their interests.”

Visit www.worwic.edu for more information about the program or to register.