Controls Technician

Powering Modern Industry

Adult Costs

$4,560

Program Length

26 months

Next Start Date

5/18/2026

Enroll by

May 7th

Location

Main Campus

Learn More

Your name

Your Future in Controls Automation Starts Here

Step into a highly specialized career where hands-on skills meet technology. Learn in-demand skills—from robotics to industrial networking—that will prepare you for advanced work in the automated manufacturing industry.

Avg. Salary

$66k

for OTECH Grads

Career Growth

1.50%

by 2032 in Utah

Day in the Life

As a controls technician, you will help keep modern industry running by designing, implementing, and managing automated systems. No two days are exactly the same—one might involve troubleshooting a malfunctioning sensor on a conveyor line, while the next might focus on reprogramming a PLC to improve efficiency. No matter your chosen field, your work combines technical know-how with problem-solving skills to keep equipment safe, reliable, and optimized.

Career Skills You'll Learn:

Programmable Logic Controllers

Learn how to operate specialized computers used in industrial automation.

Industrial Robots

Program and operate automated industrial robots to perform various tasks.

Industrial Networking

Understand how to connect industrial devices and systems through the use of networking technologies.

Servo System Programming

Use software and hardware to control the motion of a servo motor through feedback and corrective actions.

Vision Systems

Learn how to operate vision systems for quality control, robot guidance, and data reading.

Human Machine Interface

Understand the basics of HMI programming and learn how to facilitate communication and control.

Potential Career Paths

Control Engineer

Design, implement, and maintain control systems.

Automation Engineer

Design and implement automated processes and machinery.

Project Manager

Manage automation projects from start to finish, requiring strong technical and organizational skills.

Building Automation Engineer

Focus on the automation of building systems, like HVAC, lighting, and security.

Robotics Engineer

With further training, technicians can move into robotics—designing, developing, and maintaining robotic systems.

OTECH Partners who hire our Controls Technician graduates

Program Overview

The Controls Technician program prepares students for advanced work as Control Systems Technicians in an automated manufacturing environment. This certificate provides hands-on training in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), industrial robots, industrial networking, servo system programming, vision systems, and Human Machine Interface (HMI) programming.

Students work with industry professional teaching staff who emphasize hands-on instruction and provide competency training based on industry input for best practices and technological relevance.

Classroom Hours

Day: M-Th 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Day: F 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Eve: M-Th 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Enrollment open to
Adults, High school students

Credit transfer options
Available to view here

Tuition & Cost

Estimated Adult Tuition and Fees
$4,605.00

Estimated Materials Cost
$381.36

Estimated High School Student Cost
$846.52

Financial Aid Eligibility
Scholarship: Yes
VA: Yes
Pell Grant: Yes

Program Materials
MaterialRequiredNew
Graph ruled paper$3.39
Digital Multimeter$64.95
Flash Drive (2GB or greater)$12.50
Fluid power and electrical drawing template$19.99
Safety Glasses Clear$2.99
Miller, Charles Ugly's Electrical Reference 2023 Jones & Bartlett, 2023. ISBN: 9781284275919$17.77
Subtotal of required materials$56.64
TEAM 1010 Essential Skills and Safety
MaterialRequiredNew
General OSHA Online Safety Course$35.00
See Program Material List$0.00
Subtotal of required materials$35.00
TEAM 1140 Industrial Robotics
MaterialRequiredNew
FANUC America Corp. Handling Tool Operations & Programming Student Manual$133.35
See Program Material List$0.00
Subtotal of required materials$133.35
CTRL1010 Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers II
MaterialRequiredNew
See Program Material List$0.00
Max Rabiee Programmable Logic Controllers. 3rd. Goodheart Wilcox, ISBN: 978-1-60525-945-1$130.15
Subtotal of required materials$130.15
CTRL1015 Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers III
MaterialRequiredNew
See Program Material List$0.00
Max Rabiee Programmable Logic Controllers. 3rd. Goodheart Wilcox, ISBN: 978-1-60525-945-1$130.15
Subtotal of required materials$130.15
CTRL1040 Instrumentation Process Control
MaterialRequiredNew
See Program Material List$0.00
Miller, Charles Ugly's Electrical Reference 2023 Jones & Bartlett, 2023. ISBN: 9781284275919$17.77
Subtotal of required materials$17.77
CTRL1050 Instrumentation Pressure Control
MaterialRequiredNew
See Program Material List$0.00
Miller, Charles Ugly's Electrical Reference 2023 Jones & Bartlett, 2023. ISBN: 9781284275919$17.77
Subtotal of required materials$17.77
CTRL1060 Instrumentation Thermal Control
MaterialRequiredNew
See Program Material List$0.00
Miller, Charles Ugly's Electrical Reference 2023 Jones & Bartlett, 2023. ISBN: 9781284275919$17.77
Subtotal of required materials$17.77

This program has no admission requirements. You may start your admissions application at any time.

The OTECH Controls Technician program has rolling start dates throughout the year. If you are interested in enrolling in the program, please review the application deadlines and program start dates below to ensure a smooth application process.

5/18/2026
  • Build an operational industrial network containing computers and control devices.
  • Program a process using a common PLC.
  • Design and program and HMI screen to interface with a PLC and control a process.
  • Program a servo-driven process with a PLC.
  • Identify, locate, communicate with other devices, and inspect two different parts using machine vision.
  • Demonstrate the ability to successfully build a project that integrates multiple control topics.
Course NumberCourse NameCreditsCost Description
TEAM 1010Essential Skills and Safety3$285 The Essential Skills and Safety course teaches the basic concepts and terminology used in automation technology. Students gain proficiency through applying concepts of fasteners, measurement equipment, tolerances, and hand and power tool operations. The course covers safety and workplace skills as well as school and shop specific operations, standards, and procedures.
TEAM 1020Pneumatics2$190 The Pneumatics course prepares students with the fundamentals needed to work with pneumatic systems. Pneumatic systems are used in a variety of industries where cleaner, faster, and more cost-effective work needs to be done. Competencies include safety, maintenance, operation, installation, component identification, principles of pressure and flow, air logic, troubleshooting, analysis of performance and efficiency, and design of pneumatic systems.
TEAM 1030Hydraulics2$190 The Hydraulics course prepares students with the fundamentals needed to work with hydraulic systems. Hydraulic systems are used in a variety of industries where extra force may be required. Competencies include safety, maintenance, operation, installation, component identification, displacement principles, troubleshooting, analysis of performance and efficiency, and design of hydraulic systems.
TEAM 1040Industrial Mechanics3$285 The Industrial Mechanics course is designed to introduce students to the world of mechanical drive systems and their characteristics. Students can demonstrate competency in the following: couplers, component identification, system related calculations, alignment, the effects of wear and vibration, component failure detection and prevention.
TEAM 1050Electrical Systems2$190 The Electrical Systems course teaches students to troubleshoot most electrical circuits they encounter in everyday life. Our world runs on electrical power and is fundamental to all work being done in automation. Students in this course gain relevant working knowledge in both AC and DC electrical systems. Competencies include basic electrical circuit design, analysis, troubleshooting, instrumentation, schematic and component identification, physics of electricity and applicable math.
TEAM 1060Motor Controls3$285 The Motor Controls course prepares students with a working knowledge and understanding of real-world motor control operations. Students who complete this course are able to proficiently setup and design motor control circuits utilizing schematics. Students in this course identify components and utilize instrumentation to troubleshoot and maintain systems.
TEAM 2146Electrical Fluid Power Control Systems2$190 Students will combine electrical controls with hydraulic and pneumatic circuits. They will read, design, and troubleshoot circuits that are using a wide range of devices used in industry. Students will explore components to set up a variety of industrial relay control circuits using ladder diagrams and Boolean logic. Some of these components include selector, pushbutton, limit, and pressure switches; control and timer relays; and hydraulic and pneumatic directional control valves.
TEAM 1070Programmable Logic Controllers4$380 The Programmable Logic Controllers course teaches students to interface with programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Programmable logic controllers are the brains of all modern automation technology systems. In this course students develop a working knowledge and skill set in the following competencies: ladder logic, programming standards, hardware selection, various inputs and outputs, communication, troubleshooting, setup and installation.
TEAM 1080Applied System Diagnostics2$190 The Applied System Diagnostics course covers the essentials of system diagnostics, the essence of what a technician does day to day. This course is designed to simulate real world troubleshooting scenarios. Students apply troubleshooting methodology by using all of the skills that they have learned so far in the program. Students are expected to properly diagnose, repair, and document their work on a variety of systems and challenges.
TEAM 1140Industrial Robotics3$285 In this course, students will learn basic sensing and locomotion principles as they build and control a robotic arm. Students will learn about the different types of robots that are available for industrial and servicing applications program a robotic arm that will be used for selected activities from manual robot control to computer program mode. Students will determine how much current is required to lift different weights, how to measure the degrees of freedom, calculate maximum reach, and use the control panels.
TEAM 1300Building Control Panels3$285 In the Building Control Panels course, students will learn about control panel assembly, standards, skills, and practice. Industrial Control Panel standards are utilized, and special panel building tools are taught.
TEAM 1138Vision Systems1$95 This course will identify vision safety topics and basic functions of vision systems for two different platforms. It will demonstrate how to manipulate and use imaging software, as well as describe the set-up scanning features, profiles, and tools. It will also introduce 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional imaging.
CTRL1000Integration Capstone4$380 The Controls Integration Capstone course is designed to consolidate and apply the fundamental principles of control systems engineering to real-world scenarios. Students will engage in hands-on projects and case studies, integrating knowledge from courses, automation, robotics, and instrumentation.
CTRL1010Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers II3$285 This course will demonstrate troubleshooting programmable logic controllers (PLCs) using the RSLogix5000 platform. Techniques are introduced that help facilitate correcting minor program and hardware issues that may be encountered in the workplace.
CTRL1015Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers III3$285 This course explores how to program Allen-Bradley programmable logic controllers (PLCs) using the RSLogix5000 platform and how to interpret and troubleshoot complex problems.
CTRL1020Siemens Programmable Logic Controllers II3$285 This course offers concepts on troubleshooting programmable logic controllers (PLCs) using the TIA-Portal platform. This course demonstrates techniques that help facilitate correcting minor program and hardware issues that may be encountered in the workplace.
CTRL1025Siemens Programmable Logic Controllers III3$285 This course will introduce topics to program Siemens programmable logic controllers (PLCs) using the TIAPortal platform. It will describe how to interpret and troubleshoot complex problems.
CTRL1030Mechatronics3$285 Students in this course will learn multifaceted automation systems comprised of pneumatics, electrical, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and tabletop systems. Students will be introduced to inventory, inspection, distribution, and servo robots. Students will learn combination automation, where many systems work together as a complete system process.
TEDR 1200Parametric Solid Modeling3$285 The Parametric Solid Modeling course explores parametric solid modeling, a process of feature and dimension driven design, for the creation of basic models. Students will learn about model/drawing association, best modeling practices, and industry standards.
TEWT 1311Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) I2$190 This course teaches set-up, operation, and practical application of GMAW. Process advantages and limitations are discussed. Students receive hands-on instruction regarding GMAW standard procedures and best practice in accordance with industry standards using short-circuiting and axial spray metal transfer modes.
CTRL1040Instrumentation Process Control2$190 This course describes how to precisely control liquids and gases in a wide variety of industrial applications including power generation, petrochemicals, and manufacturing. Additionally, this course will offer information about topics such as flow rate, pressure, temperature, liquid level, density, and PH in industrial applications.
CTRL1050Instrumentation Pressure Control2$190 This course will show how to control liquid level and tank pressure simultaneously using a human machine interface (HMI) programmable automation controller (PAC) and variable frequency drive (VFD) that are found in real-world industrial fields.
CTRL1060Instrumentation Thermal Control2$190 This course will utilize one of the most common types of process control systems, temperature control. This course will offer information with regards to calibration, adjusting, installing, operating, and tuning thermal process control systems in industrial applications.
CTRL1070Machine Safety Integration1$95 Machine Safety Integration is a specialized course designed to provide an in-depth understanding of safety protocols, standards, and practices for integrating safety equipment into industrial machinery. The course encompasses theoretical principles, practical applications, troubleshooting, and hands-on experience evaluating, implementing, and maintaining safety systems within automated environments.
CTRL1080Servo Motors and Drives2$190 The Servo Motors and Drives course is designed to provide an understanding of servo motor principles, operation, control, and integration with drives in modern automation systems. The course aims to equip students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for designing, configuring, and troubleshooting servo-based motion control systems.
CTRL1090Fanuc Advanced Programming2$190 The FANUC Advanced Programming course helps students enhance their skills and knowledge from basic programming courses to develop a more complex scenario. FANUC robots are among the most widely used robots in industry. Students will be given a hypothetical example work cell. They will then be given the task of creating all the necessary programs to deal with multifaceted issues using advanced programming techniques. Students who complete this course are able to perform advanced programming and troubleshooting for FANUC robots.
CTRL1100Robot Vision1$95 FANUC IR Vision Systems covers basic tasks and procedures required for an operator, technician, or programmer to set up, teach, test, and modify FANUC IR Vision Applications.
CTRL1110Industrial Networking Basics1$95 Industrial Networking is a comprehensive course designed to impart knowledge and skills necessary for implementing and maintaining networking systems within industrial environments. The course emphasizes the unique requirements, protocols, and technologies in industrial automation, control, and manufacturing processes.
CTRL1120Autonomous Mobile Robots1$95 Students will learn key concepts in robotics, including sensors, control systems, localization, path planning, and machine learning. Through hands-on projects, learners will gain practical experience programming and testing AMRs in real-world scenarios, preparing them for careers in robotics and automation.
Mike Tolson

Mike Tolson has over 20 years of mechanical maintenance experience, including 18 years in the manufacturing industry and 12 years of industrial automated machine build, setup, and training experience. Mike graduated from the Ogden-Weber Technical College Industrial Automation Maintenance program in 2016. In 2017, he became a full-time instructor so that he could continue his passion for conveying his knowledge to others. Mike truly enjoys being a part of others’ success and will do what it takes to help students obtain their goals.

Office Hours (by appointment)
M & F: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
T-Th: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Location
Manufacturing Tech 100E

mike.tolson@otech.edu

801-395-3771