Automation Technology

Build the Systems that Move the World

Adult Costs

$2,850

Program Length

16 months

Next Start Date

5/18/2026

Enroll by

May 7th

Location

Main Campus

Learn More

Your name

Power Up Your Future with Automation Technology

Learn the skills needed to launch a career in a critical field. From industrial assembly systems to programmable logic controllers, you will gain hands-on experience to prepare you to join the automation technology industry’s workforce.

Avg. Salary

$63k

for OTECH Grads

Career Growth

3.70%

by 2032 in Utah

Day in the Life

Each day is a blend of high-tech problem-solving and hands-on precision that leaves real impact. From programming PLCs to calibrating sensors, your work keeps advanced manufacturing and logistics running smoothly. Whether you’re working in a lab, factory, or field environment, you collaborate with engineers and technicians to streamline operations, reduce downtime, and implement smarter, safer solutions.

Career Skills You'll Learn:

Industrial Mechanics

Coursework includes precision mechanical assembly of systems, including motors, belts/pulleys, chains/sprockets, and gears.

Fluid Power

Learn pressure measurement, regulation, and control, as well as direct and pilot-operated directional control valves, motors, and cylinders.

Electrical Systems

Learn the basics of AC/DC electrical systems, and explore how they apply to resistance, inductance, and capacitance.

Electrical Motor Controls

Learn to read, create, and apply the symbology used in diagrams for motor control systems.

Programmable Logic Controllers

Learn the fundamentals of loading, configuring, and troubleshooting PLCs.

Robotics

Understand robot systems, motion instructions, and programming in the Fanuc industrial robot and the collaborative universal robot.

Potential Career Paths

Automation Technician

Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair automated systems and equipment.

Lead Process Technician

Oversee and optimize production processes, troubleshoot equipment issues, and ensure quality and efficiency.

Machine Builder

Assemble, install, and repair various types of machinery and equipment, often in manufacturing or industrial settings.

Maintenance Technician

Ensure that automated machinery and control systems function efficiently and safely.

Controls Integrater (further education needed)

Design, implement, and integrate automated control systems, ensuring seamless operation and communication.

OTECH Partners who hire our Automation Technology graduates

Program Overview

The Automation Technology program supports a wide variety of mechanical and automated systems to help students obtain the necessary skills in robotics, electrical controls, fluid power systems, industrial mechanics, PLC programming, and other relevant technologies. Designed to help students become technicians in several critical industries, this program also introduces students to industry-standard tools, practices, and procedures.

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
$2,895.00

Estimated Materials Cost
$226.21

Estimated High School Student Cost
$70.00

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

This program has no admission requirements. You may start your admissions application anytime.

The OTECH Automation Technology 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
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of mechanical systems, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair techniques, and safety practices and procedures.
  • Apply system diagnostics and troubleshooting techniques.
  • Apply mathematical concepts to real-world applications.
  • Read, utilize, and design blueprints and schematics.
  • Operate, install, maintain, modify, and troubleshoot electrical systems.
  • Operate, install, maintain, modify, and troubleshoot fluid power systems.
  • Operate, install, maintain, modify, and troubleshoot electrical motor control systems.
  • Operate, modify, maintain, program, and troubleshoot programmable logic controllers.
  • Implement and properly use a variety of precision measurement tools and procedures.
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.
Mike Tolson

Mike 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. He 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)
Monday & Friday: 8:00am – 3:00pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm

Location
Manufacturing Tech 100E

mike.tolson@otech.edu

801-395-3771