PLC and Robotic Training Course Jumpstarts Successful Career Transition 

For more than 20 years, Sang Lee worked his way up the ladder through the restaurant industry. He started as a line cook, eventually becoming a chef and a restaurant owner. While working various jobs in the field, he also fixed restaurant equipment when it broke down.

After being in the food business for so long, he decided he wanted to pivot into a new career. He loved technology and fixing equipment. Lee thought moving into a technical role would be a good option to pursue. In 2023, he started the 14-week PLC and Robotic Technician program at OCC. Besides changing a career for himself, he wanted to be a prime example to his children, showing them that hard work and determination is one of the keys to success. 

One of the instructors for the training program, Mark Blair, had quickly recognized that Lee’s hands-on approach was going to lead to success. Blair recalled, “He showed dedication by showing up early, studying the material outside of class and trying to earn as many of the Smart Automation Certifications as he could.” 

While in the training program, Lee participated in a couple of company tours and interview day. During interview day, Lee was interviewed by seven companies.  One of the companies featured, Challenge Manufacturing, hired him and he started working as a Weld Technician. Challenge Manufacturing, OCC has established partnerships with several other employers in the community including Branex Group/FANUC, Challenge Manufacturing, GLOBAL Automation Technologies, Paragon Technologies and Shape Process Automation.

Two years after completing the PLC program, Lee has continued success in the field and now is working as an Automation Technician at Challenge Manufacturing.  Most of his success has largely been due to his personal ambition and drive. For example, while on the job, Lee would speak with the operator of the cell or robot so he could learn more about the machine directly from the expert. When a production line went down for maintenance, he would also take the initiative to ask colleagues who were fixing the equipment questions that expanded his knowledge. By taking these additional small steps, showing his initiative to learn more, Lee was able to get noticed by management. It also helped when opportunities for advancement opened up within the company. 

He said what he loves most about his job is the ability to learn new skills and troubleshooting. Lee explains, “This program is for someone who wants to change careers.” He credits the hands-on experience in the lab and the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) certifications as being a contributing factor to landing a job in the industry. Wiring and configuring sensors to communicate with PLCs, troubleshooting robotic systems, and using Amatrol equipment for real-world application of motor control systems, were just some of the key skills he learned during the training. It gave him the ability to fully understand the concept of how the machine worked, strong knowledge base, and skills needed in the field. 

Blair has continued to keep in touch with Lee and has invited him back to the classroom as a guest speaker every cohort since he was enrolled. “I’ve invited him back to the classroom because of his down-to-earth attitude and work ethic,” stated Blair. “He has provided great advice for the students on what to expect on a shop floor.” His goal is to inspire students going through the program currently and to see what they can achieve after graduation. 

If you are interested in Starting your Someday, sign up for an online information session. During the one-hour presentation, you’ll hear about the classes included with the training, hands-on components, application details, opportunities to earn certifications, employer partnerships, and more. Questions? Email us at wfdev@oaklandcc.edu.