Vanier College is proud to partner with Siemens to bring the Siemens Mechatronic System Certification Program (SMSCP) into their academic offering. This globally recognized Siemens certification program gives participants and industry a significant advantage in the growing world of automation and digital manufacturing by modernizing and upgrading their employees' skills. The curriculum connects the engineering disciplines in a holistic approach to industry that brings together digital communications, electronics, mechanical components, and robotics. SMSCP training is based on the instructional philosophy that Siemens uses with its own trainees and engineers in Germany, combining theory with practical hand-on application.
L to R: John McMahon, Director General, Vanier College; Julie-Eve O'Meara, Vanier Continuing Education Coordinator Corporate Training, Community Services and RAC; Henry Vandelinde, Siemens Mechatronics Business Development. Photo : Berj Merdjanian
"I am thrilled that Vanier College and Siemens Canada are partnering to offer SMSCP training opportunities for companies and industries here in St Laurent and throughout Quebec. While Vanier already includes aspects of this globally recognized training for students in our Electrical Engineering program to provide a skilled workforce for the future, this new corporate training program will fill an immediate need and help companies upgrade and optimize their manufacturing workforce," said John McMahon, Director General of Vanier College.
"The strength of a company rests on the skills of its employees, and the Chamber of Commerce of St Laurent Mt Royal is pleased to see the partnership between Siemens Canada and Vanier College to offer training that will modernize those skills and help local companies join Industry 4.0. Competition, innovation and success always follow the path of new technologies and techniques. Bringing those to Quebec companies will enrich our economy," said Pierre-Olivier Brunelle, Senior Manager, Desjardins Entreprises Montreal, and President of the Chamber of Commerce of St Laurent Mt Royal.
Mechatronics is the interdisciplinary engineering study of electrical, mechanical, and digital communications systems. Students study hands-on electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering, and explore how these disciplines are interconnected and interdependent. Using a systems level approach, students develop both the applied skills and theoretical knowledge to build, troubleshoot and support production and manufacturing. This approach to automation can improve efficiency, productivity, and quality which ultimately decreases time to market. Industries that benefit from mechatronics systems include aerospace, materials processing, machine building, automotive, transportation, building technologies, and mining.
"There continue to be challenges facing Canada's economy and our manufacturing sector," said Joris Myny, Senior Vice-President, Digital Industries, Siemens Canada. "Responding to these challenges and seizing fresh opportunities requires the development and deployment of new technologies to increase productivity. For this we need a skilled workforce, and we look forward to working with Vanier College to enable upskilling in support of industry in Quebec."
The mechatronics lab is located at Vanier's campus in Montreal. The Electrical Engineering Technology Department will house the training facility for students to pursue the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program. Instruction will be provided by Vanier faculty trained by the Siemens Technik Academy in Nuremberg, Germany.
Siemens is the only global industrial company to offer the Mechatronic certification program in cooperation with partner colleges and universities throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Vanier joins a growing group of Canadian higher educational leaders in this international network of advanced technology partners in education and industry.
Learn more about the SMSCP at Vanier College click HERE.
