You've likely seen videos of car assembly lines where robotic arms perform various tasks in a highly automated environment. These systems, which blend robotics and automation, are essential in advanced manufacturing and other industries. Electromechanical engineering technicians play a crucial role in maintaining and optimizing these systems, with many of their careers focused on robotics and automation jobs.
In an industry that's changing how items are made, packaged, and delivered, read on to find out the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions — and where humans come in.
What are Robotics and Automation Jobs?
At its core, robotics encompasses the design, creation, and operation of robots. Automation, meanwhile, is a broad concept in which technology executes tasks with minimal human interaction to streamline processes and increase efficiency. These two technologies can exist independently of one another. However, they are often brought together as robots become part of an automated system.
One role in this field is an electromechanical engineering technician. This professional specializes in configuring, testing, installing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting robots and other automated systems used in production.
There are also numerous other job titles in automation and robotics, including:
- Programmable logic controller technician
- Electromechanical assembler
- Electromechanical maintenance technician
- Electromechanical technician
- Fluid power technician
- Inside sales professional
- Field service technician
While these jobs have different tasks, they are suited for people who are organized and methodical, enjoy analyzing and solving problems through science and math applications, and want a hands-on career. If you're interested in how things function, can manage your time effectively, and are excited by the idea of robots and technology, this could be the right path for you.
These jobs also share another commonality: they require one post-secondary education program to prepare you for success.
What Electromechanical Engineering Courses Do I Need?
At Centennial College, you have two options to get into this innovative and evolving area of work.
Automation and Robotics - Electromechanical Engineering Technician is a two-year undertaking that covers the basic technology used in building and operating automated industrial systems. This tech includes programmable logic controllers, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics and robotics.
If you want to take your education a step further, you can add one additional year of study in the Automation and Robotics - Electromechanical Engineering Technology program. The three-year advanced diploma delves deeper into industry-relevant topics such as differential calculus and analytic geometry, fluid machines and dynamics, hydrostatic systems and design, electric machinery, microcontrollers, diagnostics and maintenance, industrial production applications, and more.
Whether you choose the two- or three-year program, Centennial College's electrotechnical engineering courses are practical, project-led, and use real technology that you'll encounter in the field.
Is Automation and Robotics a Good Career?
According to the Future Skills Centre, in 2018, Canada was the 13th largest market for industrial robots. Automotive and electronics manufacturing account for the largest number of installations. The Job Bank Canada, meanwhile, reports that a labour shortage of automation engineers is expected nationally from 2022 to 2031. This indicates that in Canada, robotics and automation jobs will need those with the knowledge and skills to maintain and advance the industry.
It's also crucial to consider just how many industries are increasingly relying on automated systems and robots. As the application grows, it's transforming, for example, agriculture, where drones are being used to monitor crops and robots are performing tasks such as milking cows and checking animal health. Another industry with uses for robotics and automation is healthcare. Robotics-assisted surgery, for example, can reduce complications and patient recovery time. Automated systems are also being used to dispense medication and complete patient monitoring tasks, which can improve patient safety and reduce labour costs. Finally, the automotive and transportation industries are being revolutionized as well, with everything from robots making our cars to automated systems optimizing routes and improving the efficiency of supply chains in the logistics industry.
Other industries relying on automation and robotics include food, packaging, aircraft and communications, building automation, mining, and power generation.
By Izabela Shubair