Job Outlook
Required Courses
- Certified Production Technician Safety (MSSC: Manufacturing Skill Standards Council)
- Work Seminar
- Real-World Experience
Choose at least two of the following:
- Mechatronics (Mechanical Fabrication)
- Mechatronics (AC/DC Electrical Systems)
- Mechatronics (Basic Hydraulics)
- Mechatronics (Rotating Electrical Machines)
- CNC NIMS Machine Operator
Recommended Courses
- Introduction to Industrial Technology
- Electricity & Electronics I
- Machine Tool Technology
- Advanced Machine Tool Technology
- College Financial Literacy
Job Skills
In addition to having technical skills, employers expect their workers to have other skills such as:
- Listening Skills
- Effective Communication
- Digital Citizenship
- Problem-solving Skills
- Time Management
- Tools and Equipment Management
Postsecondary Programs
Available throughout Northwest Technical College, Alexandria Technical College, Northland Community College. Upon completion of each of the pyramid levels of Mechatronics training, the trainees are eligible for certificates of completion from the Minnesota Innovative Initiative.
Brian Stefanich
Brian Stefanich has been an administrator for the past 22 years and is currently the Bemidji Career Academy Director and Solway Elementary School Principal. He served as the principal at Bemidji High School from 2009-2018. Brian earned his degrees from Bemidji State University and St. Cloud State University.
He has been influential in starting the Bemidji Career Academies in 2016 and has led the program to where it is today with over 75 community partnerships and currently 700 students registered in the academies. Brian is very active in his community having served as the Sunrise Rotary President and he serves on numerous leadership and foundation boards including Northwest Technical College. Brian earned the Principal of the Year honors for the Northern Division in 2016. Brian and his wife Sage, have 5 grown children and are the proud grandparents of 10 grandchildren.
Business and Industry Experiences/ Partners
Potlatch, Norbord, Marvin Windows and Doors, Nortech Systems, Team Industries, DEED, Ottertail Power, Idea Circle.
Students in the academy do research on their career interests, tour local business and manufacturing, attend career fairs, have opportunities to intern and job shadow for real life manufacturing experience, and apply for careers in mechatronics with manufacturing companies.
Academy Gallery
