Work Environment
Most industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance technicians are employed full time during regular business hours. However, mechanics may be on call or assigned to work nights or weekends. Overtime is common, particularly for mechanics.
Career Outlook
Employment of industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance technicians is expected to grow 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by specialty.
Employment of industrial machinery mechanics is projected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Increased adoption of sophisticated manufacturing machinery will require more highly skilled technicians to keep the machines in good working order. Employment of machinery maintenance technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020.
Pay (source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The median annual wage of industrial machinery mechanics was $45,420 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,880, and the top 10 percent earned more than $68,130.
The median annual wage of machinery maintenance workers was $38,460 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,440, and the top 10 percent earned more than $59,640.
Most industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers are employed full time during regular business hours. However, mechanics may be on call or assigned to work nights or weekends. Overtime is common, particularly for mechanics.
Plastics Engineering Technology Option
Program Description
The Manufacturing Production Technician Program is a non-credit 180-hour program for the College. Individuals may enter the program without a high school diploma or GED; however, Southern Union as well as the credentialing agency strongly recommends that individuals enrolling in this program perform at a 9th-grade math and 10th-grade reading level as well as possess basic computer skills before enrolling in the Manufacturing Production Technician training program.
The Manufacturing Production Technician Program consists of four sessions: Safety, Quality Practices & Measurement, Manufacturing Processes & Production, and Maintenance Awareness. Candidates must pass all four sessions to receive the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), Certified Production Technician (CPT) Certification. For more details about the Certified Production Technician credential offered by MSSC see Alabama’s Dream it Do it website.
Who should participate in the Manufacturing Production Technician Program?
- Individuals who need to find a job with upward mobility.
- Front-line workers who wish to advance their career or move up to the next level.
Topic Areas
Download the Production Technician Program Topic Areas
How to get started
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…
- Review the topic areas.
- Make sure that you meet any pre-requisite.
- Complete the on-line application.
- Register and submit required fee. Make your payment online. We accept debit and credit cards.
- Attend a mandatory Orientation/Registration Session
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Manufacturing Production Technician Program Delivery Options
For more information click on the options below:
- Option 1 - Manufacturing Production Technician Program Fast Track* (*Hybrid Option - Manufacturing experience required)
- Option 2 - Manufacturing Production Technician Program Evening Traditional Option
- Option 3 - Manufacturing Production Technician Program Weekend Traditional Option
Option 1:
Manufacturing Production Technician Program Fast Track Option
Manufacturing Production Technician Program Fast Track Option is designed for incumbent or dislocated works with at least two years of manufacturing experience and consists of 70 online training hours and 10 hours of classroom time.
The Manufacturing Production Technician Program Fast Track Option will be delivered and assessed in the order listed below:
| Session | Hours |
| Safety | 20 |
| Quality Practices & Measurement | 20 |
| Manufacturing Processes & Production | 20 |
| Maintenance Awareness | 20 |
| Total Hours | 80 |
Course Format and Cost:
| April 2, 2018 - April 27, 2018 | |
| Format: Hybrid with Online Access | |
| Cost: $640 |
Course Pre-Requisite
Prior manufacturing experience
Course Schedule
This course is 4 weeks of training that prepares individuals for front-line production work in high-performance manufacturing.
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Contact Information:
Alfred J. Davis, Sr.
aldavis@suscc.edu
(334) 745-6437 ext. 5496
Classroom Location:
For directions click here
For Campus Map click here
Southern Union State Community College
Center for Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
301 Lake Condy Road
Opelika, AL 36801
Option 2:
Manufacturing Production Technician Program Evening Traditional Option
Manufacturing Production Technician Program Evening Traditional Option is designed for individuals with no or limited manufacturing experience and consists of 180 training hours
The Manufacturing Production Technician Program Evening Traditional Option will be delivered and assessed in the order listed below:
| Session | Hours |
| Safety | 45 |
| Quality Practices & Measurement | 45 |
| Manufacturing Processes & Production | 45 |
| Maintenance Awareness | 45 |
| Total Hours | 180 |
Course Format and Cost:
| April 23, 2018 - June 15, 2018 | |
| Format: Traditional | |
| Cost: $1,240 |
The Manufacturing Production Technician Program Evening Traditional Option is 8 weeks of training that prepares individuals for front-line production work in high-performance manufacturing. Classes are held in the Southern Union State Community College Center for Integrated Manufacturing.
Class Times are Monday – Thursday, 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM All times are Central Standard Time (CST)
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Contact Information:
Alfred J. Davis, Sr.
aldavis@suscc.edu
(334) 745-6437 ext. 5496
Classroom Location:
For directions click here
For Campus Map click here
Southern Union State Community College
Center for Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
301 Lake Condy Road
Opelika, AL 36801
Option 3
Manufacturing Production Technician Program Evening Traditional Option Orientation/Registration Session
Click here for program Schedule
| Session | Hours |
| Safety | 45 |
| Quality Practices & Measurement | 45 |
| Manufacturing Processes & Production | 45 |
| Maintenance Awareness | 45 |
| Total Hours | 180 |
Course Format and Cost
| May 18, 2018 | |
| Format: Traditional | |
| Cost: $1,240 |
The Manufacturing Production Technician Program Weekend Traditional Option (Friday and Saturday) prepares individuals for front-line production work in high-performance manufacturing. Classes are held at the Southern Union State Community College, Valley Campus, Technology Building.
Class Times are Fridays, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Saturdays, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Manufacturing Production Technician Program Weekend Traditional Option Orientation Session is scheduled for May 8, 2018 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. The Orientation Session is scheduled to meet in the Southern Union State Community College, Valley Campus, Technology Building (Campus Map), 321 Fob James Drive, Valley, AL 36854.
To reserve a space in the Manufacturing Production Technician Program Weekend Traditional Option Orientation/Registration Session, complete the on-line application.
Dates/times/location are subject to change.
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Contact Information:
Alfred J. Davis, Sr.
aldavis@suscc.edu
(334) 745-6437 ext. 5496
Classroom Location:
For directions click here
For Campus Map click here
Southern Union State Community College
Center for Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
301 Lake Condy Road
Opelika, AL 36801