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Automation and Controls Training

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Upcoming training

(applies to all Automation and Controls courses
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Eastern (5 sessions)
Registration Fee: $3,695; $3,495 Early Bird Registration
Where: VCU College of Engineering, West Hall

Automation and Controls Training

June 10-14, 2024

Enroll now for June 10-14>


Automation and Controls Training

August 5-9, 2024

Enroll now for August 5-9>


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Level up your engineering expertise with state-of-the-art training.

Our noncredit training specifically focuses on the use of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) for manufacturing and process control in the area of Industrial Automation.

Topics covered in the lectures will be utilized and reinforced by a series of hands-on lab exercises using state-of-the-art Allen-Bradley PLC controllers and Rockwell PLC programming software.

 

Automation and Controls Training  (Introductory course)

This introductory noncredit course in Industrial Automation specifically focuses on the use of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) for manufacturing and process control. You will learn the basics of PLC operation, interfacing PLCs to sensors and actuators and programming PLCs for basic control tasks.

This introductory 40-hour course is intended for engineers, technicians, or supervisors who work in the area of industrial automation, but do not have in-depth knowledge of PLCs, including how they are deployed, programmed, or operated. Read the full description, course objectives, and topics covered during this training.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: While a degree is helpful, it is not required. You should have a working knowledge of basic electrical fundamentals, such as voltage, current, AC, DC, etc. and basic skills in the area of computer programming. Fundamental computer skills, including working with programs that have an extensive Graphical User Interface is also required.

 

Advanced Automation and Controls Training

In the advanced noncredit training, you will learn advanced operations of PLCs, interfacing PLCs to sensors and actuators and programming PLCs for advanced control tasks. It will focus on developing a good understanding of the principles and practices related to industrial automation, control systems, and related technologies. This course provides further instruction on topics related to systems, techniques and languages used in the control of manufacturing and process industries. Major topics include advanced PLC Programming and Operation, Industrial Networking, Motion Control, and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Design Programming.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This advanced 40-hour course is intended for engineers, technicians or supervisors who work in the area of industrial automation, and have knowledge of PLCs, including how they are deployed, programmed or operated.  Read the full description, course objectives, and topics covered during the advanced training. 

Prerequisite: Completion of the Automation and Controls Training or a similar course that covers the basic knowledge, skills and abilities covered in our introductory course.  A degree in engineering is helpful, but not required. You should have a working knowledge of basic electrical fundamentals, such as voltage, current, AC, DC, etc. and basic skills in the area of computer programming. Fundamental computer skills, including working with programs that have an extensive Graphical User Interface is also required. If you have not completed our introductory training, please contact program manager, Shelly Schuetz, for prior approval before registering for the advanced training.  

 

About the instructors

Headshot photo of Robert KlenkeDr. Robert Klenke is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at VCU. Dr. Klenke's research interests include system-level modeling and hardware/software codesign for complex, embedded digital systems. His recent research work has been concentrated in the area of digital flight control systems and payload data systems for unmanned aerial vehicles. In 2015, Dr. Klenke developed the first course in Industrial Automation to be taught at VCU. This course has been supported by generous donations from Rockwell Automation and several local industries. In 2016, a second, advanced course was added to the sequence. Thus far, over 100 VCU engineering undergraduates and graduate students have taken the Industrial Automation courses.

Dr. Klenke received his BSEE degree from the Virginia Military Institute in 1982 and his MSEE and Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering) degrees from the University of Virginia in 1989 and 1993 respectively. He joined the faculty in the Department of Electrical Engineering at VCU as an associate professor in 1998. Dr. Klenke led the efforts to develop computer engineering as a separate degree program in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering which was first ABET accredited in 2005. He has over 35 years of combined military, education, and consulting experience in engineering and has published over 85 refereed papers and book chapters.


Headshot of Bruce FreerBruce C. Freer received his BSEET from Youngstown State University in 1978.Bruce began his 40-year career with Allen-Bradley in 1979 as an Application Engineer and later moved to Product Marketing where he was responsible for the PLC-3 Product Line. In 1985, Bruce moved to Richmond, Virginia as an area manager helping customers develop Automation Systems in the Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Pulp and Paper, Mining and Metals, and Marine industries. These systems involved PLC/Automation Controllers, Safety Controllers, Safety Systems, Industrial Ethernet Switches & Networking, Operator Interface Devices, S.C.A.D.A software, Historian Software, PlantPAx DCS systems, Motion Systems, Vibration Monitoring, Industrial Computers, Industrial Thin Clients, Thin Client Management Software, and VMWare Virtual Servers. Bruce retired from Rockwell Automation in December 2019.

While working at Rockwell Automation, Bruce helped Dr. Klenke configure the first Industrial Automation Class at VCU in 2015 with six workstations. In 2019, five more workstations were added.


What to expect

Your program registration fee of $3,695 includes instruction, all necessary materials, parking on the VCU campus, a snack break and meal at each session, 4.00 CEUs (at no additional cost), a certificate of completion, and a digital badge. Save $200 with our Early Bird Registration Fee of $3,495! VCU College of Engineering students, VCU graduates, and companies enrolling between three and five students in the training can save 10% (a $349.50-$369.50 savings) by requesting a promo code. A 15% discount will be available for any company that enrolls six or more students in the training.

Cancellation and Refund Policies

You may cancel your registration up until 30 days prior to the course start date, and receive a full refund minus any credit card processing fees. Cancellations must be received via email at ocpe@vcu.edu. In the unlikely event that this program is canceled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, the university will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses, including change or cancellation charges to include but not limited to airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or other organizations.

Transfer Policy

You may transfer your registration to a different person if requested in writing via email at ssschuetz@vcu.edu.

 

Want to find out more? Get in touch.