New JJC Certificate Helps Industry Workers Advance Their Skills

A new certificate in Joliet Junior College’s electrical/electronic automated systems (EEAS) program gives industry workers a chance to enhance their skills and stay on top of new technology.  

The Loading... Certificate of Completion consists of three courses that will give graduates the training for two internationally recognized industry certifications; the Rockwell Automation Programmable ControlLogix Maintainer Certification and the Fanuc Robot Certification. 

EEAS student Roberto Mondragon
Roberto Mondragon

Students will learn how to wire, troubleshoot and program cutting-edge industrial programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and robots.  

JJC student Roberto Mondragon is taking classes for the certificate so he can further his career.

 He’s currently a lead technician at United States Cold Storage in Wilmington. Mondragon works on general maintenance for the PLCs and refrigeration equipment. He said that robots are becoming more common in cold refrigeration areas, so it’s important to know how to use and maintain them.  

After earning is his certificate, Mondragon plans to pursue his associate degree in EEAS.  

“As the industry continues to automate to compete in the global economy, JJC prepares students to apply, install and maintain automated systems,” said EEAS instructor Mary Sue Gurka. 

Another student enrolled in the EEAS program, Fredo Cruz, is employed by a contracting company that works with Amazon. He’s also studying to earn his associate degree.  

Cruz said he chose JJC’s EEAS program because it was close to home and had a great reputation.  

EEAS students working

Graduates of the EEAS program can find jobs in the warehousing, food processing and robotics industries, among many others. 

In addition to the automated controls and robotics certificate, students can earn a Loading... or an Loading... associates degree.

“The students really enjoy the hands-on learning with the state-of-the-art lab equipment and are able to quickly apply their knowledge in the workplace,” said Gurka. 

For media inquiries, contact Communications and Media Coordinator Scott Harvey at sharvey@jjc.edu or 815-280-2844.