Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Technology (ARM)

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Department: IST/Maintenance Technology

Program Type: Manufacturing

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Overview

Elgin Community College’s Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Tech (ARM) program equips you with the hands-on skills and technical expertise needed for today’s fast-growing industrial and manufacturing careers. Designed for students and adult learners seeking comprehensive training as maintenance technicians, this program combines essential mechanical and electrical skills development with advanced coursework in automation, robotics, and mechatronics—key technologies driving today’s modern smart factories. You’ll start by mastering traditional industrial maintenance competencies, including electrical fundamentals, mechanical drives, hydraulics, industrial safety, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting of industrial machines. These foundational skills prepare you to confidently maintain, repair, and optimize the machines that keep production lines running. 

Building on that foundation, you’ll advance into high-demand areas such as robotic systems, automated manufacturing equipment, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and integrated mechatronic systems—giving you the skills employers seek as automation becomes increasingly central to manufacturing operations. Handson labs replicate real industrial environments so you can practice diagnosing system failures, performing repairs, and ensuring equipment reliability. ECC’s Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Tech program supports students at every stage—whether you’re entering the field, upgrading your skills, or specializing in automation and robotics. With instruction shaped by industry partners and real-world training that mirrors current workforce needs, this program prepares you for in-demand roles as a maintenance technician, industrial machinery mechanic, automation technician, or mechatronics specialist. If you're looking for industrial maintenance programs or automation and robotics training that align with today’s Industry 4.0 technologies, ECC delivers the practical, employer-driven education needed to launch or advance a high-growth technical career. 

Program Options

Program Options
Program Learning Outcomes
Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Technology (ARM) - Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree
  • Install, maintain, and troubleshoot industrial electrical, mechanical, and fluid power systems.
  • Program, operate, and optimize programmable controllers, AC drives, and mechatronic systems.
  • Fabricate and repair components using welding, manufacturing, and technical drawing skills.
  • Apply technical math, problem-solving, and professional communication in industrial settings.
Automated Electronic Systems - Basic Vocational Specialist
  • Apply electrical and fluid power principles to install, operate, and troubleshoot automated systems.
  • Program and maintain programmable controllers at basic and advanced levels.
  • Work with mechatronic components to integrate mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
  • Read and interpret technical diagrams and schematics to diagnose and solve system issues.
Industrial Maintenance Technology - Basic Vocational Specialist
  • Install, operate, and troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and fluid power systems in industrial settings.
  • Program and maintain programmable controllers for automated processes.
  • Apply technical math and problem-solving skills to support maintenance and equipment operation.
  • Read and interpret technical diagrams, schematics, and system drawings to diagnose and resolve issues.
For more information, contact Career and Technical Education Programs at 847-214-7900 or email mtcinquiries@elgin.edu

Prepare for Immediate Employment

Employment opportunities for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights are expected to remain strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in this field is projected to grow 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for many occupations. Graduates with training in Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Technology enjoy strong career stability, advancement opportunities, and competitive salaries. Whether your interests lie in maintaining high-tech machinery or managing information systems, ECC provides the hands-on education and technical skills you need to succeed in these high-demand fields. 

Plan of Study and Course Descriptions

Review the ECC catalog for details about the IST or maintenance technology plan of study, as well as course descriptions.

Associate of Applied Science

Basic Vocational Certificate

What You’ll Learn 

ECC’s Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Tech (ARM) program is built for students and adults who want practical, job-ready skills—and for employers who need technicians capable of keeping modern industrial operations running smoothly. Every course blends clear, applied instruction with immersive hands-on labs, giving you the confidence to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment used across today’s traditional and automated manufacturing environments. You’ll develop the technical foundation employers expect from skilled maintenance professionals, including the ability to maintain, calibrate, diagnose, and repair a wide range of industrial systems. Through real-world troubleshooting scenarios, you’ll learn to think critically, solve problems under pressure, and keep production equipment operating safely and efficiently. 

Core competencies include: 

  • Electrical Fundamentals: AC/DC circuits, series and parallel circuits, electrical safety practices, and essential testing skills.
  • Fluid Power Systems: Hydraulic and pneumatic principles used in industrial machinery.
  • Motor Controls: Electrical motor control systems, including three-phase motors and common industrial control components.
  • Mechanical Systems: Mechanical drives, power transmission systems, alignment, bearings, and essential mechanical maintenance techniques.
  • Automation & PLCs: Operation, programming, and troubleshooting of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) used in automated manufacturing systems.
  • Robotics & Mechatronics (Program Focus): Exposure to integrated electromechanical systems increasingly used in advanced manufacturing and industrial automation. 

You’ll also gain hands-on experience diagnosing hydraulic system faults, reading pressure gauges, interpreting system diagrams, and applying the formulas and calculations used daily by maintenance and automation technicians. Explore course listings and detailed class descriptions to learn more about the Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Technology (ARM) program. 

Shaping the Future: ECC's Cutting-Edge Manufacturing Programs

Faculty in the Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Technology (ARM) program bring real-world industry experience to the classroom. Through hands-on labs and practical projects, students develop the technical skills, knowledge, and problem-solving abilities needed to succeed in today’s advanced manufacturing and automation fields. Our new Manufacturing and Technology Center, opening Thursday, September 24, 2026, provides state-of-the-art facilities for hands-on learning and workforce training.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re energized by working with machines, solving problems, and keeping complex systems running at their best, ECC’s Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Technology (ARM) program offers a powerful pathway into a high-demand technical career. This field blends traditional maintenance skills with the advanced technologies shaping modern industry—from automation and robotics to mechatronics and smart manufacturing systems. 

At Elgin Community College, you can prepare for immediate employment by completing the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Technology, an industry-aligned degree that equips you with the hands-on skills employers need. If you want a faster onramp to the workforce or a focused way to upskill, ECC also offers stackable certificates—such as Automated Electronic Systems and Industrial Maintenance—that build directly toward the degree while giving you valuable, job-ready competencies. 
Whether your goal is to launch a new career, enhance your current skill set, or advance within a growing industry, ECC delivers the practical, technology-driven training that prepares you for success in industrial maintenance, automation, and next-generation manufacturing. 

The Automation, Robotics, and Maintenance Technology (ARM) program at ECC prepares you for a variety of career paths, including: 

  • Industrial Engineering
  • Robotics Technician
  • Electromechanical Technician
  • Electrical Engineering Technologist
  • Quality Control Systems Specialist
  • Millwright
  • Machinist 

Invest in your future at ECC

Start your path to a high-demand career with an associate degree or certificate. Train at the new Manufacturing and Technology Center opening in Fall 2026. 

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Contact

Admissions & Recruitment

Building B, Room B110
847-214-7385
Fax: 847-608-5458
admissions@elgin.edu

Hours
Monday through Thursday: 8 am to 7 pm
Fridays: 8 am to 4 pm

*Bilingual Admissions Coordinator: 847-214-7689

Contact

Career and Technical Education Programs

Building O, Room O125
847-214-7900
mtcinquiries@elgin.edu