• Estimated Program Length
  • Full time: 13 months
  • Part time: 26 months
  • Average Program Length
  • 26 months
  • Required Credits
  • 48.00
  • Enrollment open to:
  • Adults, High School Students
Location Main Campus
  • Availability
  • This program is offered as hybrid.
    Hybrid instruction is a mixture of in-person work and online instruction. Complete coursework remotely and come into the classroom only for labs and hands-on skills.

    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. - 9:00 p.m.

Admission Requirements

This program has no admission requirements. We welcome all interested students.

  • Estimated Adult Tuition and Fees
  • $4605.00
  • Estimated Materials Cost
  • $355.84
  • Estimated High School Student Cost
  • $846.52
  • Financial Aid Eligibility
  • Scholarship: Yes
  • VA: Yes
  • Pell Grant: Yes
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Controls Technician

The Controls Engineering Technology program prepares qualified students for advanced work as Control System 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 a teaching staff of industry professionals who emphasize hands-on instruction and provide competency-based training based on industry input for best practices and technological relevance. There is a high demand for employees with these specialized skills.

The Controls Engineering Technology program prepares qualified students for advanced work as Control System 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 a teaching staff of industry professionals who emphasize hands-on instruction and provide competency-based training based on industry input for best practices and technological relevance. There is a high demand for employees with these specialized skills.



 Program Objectives

  • Build an operational industrial network containing computers and control devices.
  • Program a process using a common PLC.
  • Design and program an 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.

Program Coordinator

Mike Tolson
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, and in 2017, Mike became a full time instructor so that he can continue his passion of 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. Meet with Mike →

Office Hours: M: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tues-Th: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. by appointment | Location: Manufacturing Tech 100D

Program Instructor

Clint Hammer
Clint Hammer

Clint Hammer worked 29 years as an Electrical Technician at Fresenius Medical Group, with a decade spent as a Senior Technician. His expertise is bolstered by a Journeyman Electrical Technician certification from OTECH. Clint's career ambition centers on becoming an exceptional industrial automation instructor while continually enhancing his skill set. Clint's dedication, combined with his wealth of experience, positions him as a pivotal figure in the field of industrial automation, poised to inspire future generations and drive innovation. Meet with Clint →

Office Hours: Mon – Tue: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wed & Th: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Location: Manufacturing Tech 100C

Program Instructor

Adam Solomon
Adam Solomon

Adam is a seasoned Maintenance Tech with over 17 years of experience in Industrial Automation. He has worked for several local manufacturing companies, including Pictsweet, Neutracutical, and Fresenius Medical Care. He graduated from OWATC in Industrial Automation in 2013 and attended Garden City Community College in Kansas, where he became certified to work on industrial ammonia refrigeration systems. Adam aims to continue to learn and grow by exploring new technologies in the field. He also aspires to mentor the next generation of industrial maintenance technicians.

Office Hours: Mon – Tue: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., Wed – Fri: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Location: Manufacturing Tech 100D

Student Support Specialist

Joshua Reeves
Joshua Reeves

Student Support Specialists are professionally trained and available for all students at the college. They are available to assist students who have questions regarding their program, progress and attendance, and program changes. The specialist can assist students with campus and program policies or procedures, student rights, as well as the policy and processes involved in student complaints. The student support specialist staff is also available to discuss personal/family matters, address emergency situations, and provide referrals to college and community services.Habla español.
Meet with Joshua →

Location: Manufacturing Tech 109 & BDO137

Admissions Advising

Andrew Peery

Admissions advisors help potential students explore college programs, become familiar with the resources available (including financial assistance), get in touch with instructors and more. Contact or visit Admissions to learn more.

Schedule an appointment with Andrew →

Location: Manufacturing Tech 100H

Hands-on Training


The Controls Technician curriculum is focused on providing relevant experience in a setting that matches the ‘real world’ as closely as possible. We strive to leverage that content in a way that prepares our students to take on the challenges they will face in the workforce and help them to be successful. The course content and direction is driven by our local employers and implemented by a team of instructors that all come from industry. We leverage that collective industry experience to bring perspective to the information being presented and make it more meaningful.

Why Controls Technician?

Almost every industry uses automation, which allows for a student to find a good fit for their skills and aptitude. Here are a few benefits of choosing Controls Technician:

  • Good advancement potential.
  • Builds on material covered by the Industrial Automation program.
  • Opportunities for career development and advancement.
  • Career path is interesting, fast moving, and varied.

“I’ve had the chance to work with the Automation Instructors as both a student and an Intern. They use every chance to help students improve and are constantly working to update and make curriculum more relevant. They are friendly and easy to work with, and will help you as much as possible.”

Dan Blass

“I’ve had many many great moments in class from meeting different people from all walks of life to learning the materials and applying it in real time on the field which not only boost myself confidence and encourage me to look ahead but also brings joy to what I do and I’m very glad I chose to go there.

“’In a quest where someone was trying to attain a treasure, the real treasure was the friends we made along the way’ would encapsulate my overall experience with you guys.”

Zee Yirga