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Enterprise State Community College (ESCC)

Leading the Way in Industry-Ready Technical Education

Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) in Ozark, Alabama is making significant strides in technical education through its comprehensive Mechatronics Program. The program is designed to meet the needs of both students and local industries by offering flexible scheduling, competency-based training, and industry-recognized certifications.

Overview

ESCC programs integrate NC3 certification offerings, ensuring students receive training that is highly valued by industry employers. Aubri Hanson is the Applied Technology Division Director and a Mechatronics instructor at ESCC. Aubri is also an NC3 Master Instructor for Festo and has earned an impressive list of certifications from Festo (19), Snap-on, Dremel, Greenlee, and 3M.

The Mechatronics Program at ESCC offers a two-year associate's degree in Mechatronics and nine different certificates, including:

  • Basic Industrial Mechanics
  • Basic Industrial Electronics
  • Basic Manufacturing Technology
  • Quality Inspection and Metrology
  • Renewable Energy Systems
  • Basic CNC Operator/Programmer
  • Advanced CNC Operator/Programmer
  • Electromechanical Maintenance
  • Advanced Manufacturing

Program Highlights

  • Flexible Scheduling: Recognizing the diverse needs of students, including working professionals and parents, the program prioritizes student schedules over instructor schedules. This approach has significantly increased accessibility and enrollment.
  • Dual Enrollment: About 40% of ESCC students are local high school students who participate in the dual enrollment program option. The students have the option to earn industry certifications as well as college credit certificates. For highly motivated 10th graders, they can complete their associate's degree by the time they reach the 12th grade, and receive their associate's degree before they are handed their high school diploma.
  • Competency-Based Training: Enterprise State’s Mechatronics Program focuses on hands-on, competency-based learning, allowing students to progress at their own pace. This model ensures that students gain practical skills and knowledge relevant to industry needs.
  • Industry-Aligned Certifications: By embedding NC3 certifications into the curriculum, the program ensures that students are learning skills that are directly applicable and valued in the manufacturing industry.
  • Industry Partnerships: The program maintains close ties with local employers, offering opportunities for students such as internships, job placements, and industry training sessions. Collaboration ensures that the curriculum remains relevant and meets the evolving needs of the industry.
  • Train-the-Trainer: ESCC is poised to host the largest-attended NC3 TTT workshop to date from April 14-18, 2025. This hands-on professional development opportunity is designed to equip instructors with innovative Industry 4.0 teaching strategies, and how to effectively deliver the courses to students.

Impact and Results

Enterprise State Community College’s Mechatronics Program stands as a model for effective technical education. By prioritizing industry relevance, flexible scheduling, and community engagement, the program not only meets the needs of its students but also significantly contributes to the economic growth of the region.

The Mechatronics Program has seen remarkable growth and success:

  • Increased Enrollment: Starting with 12 students in 2019, the program has grown to serve over 90 students, necessitating an expansion to multiple locations.
  • High Job Placement Rate: A majority of graduates find employment in local industries, with about 30% of students being hired by companies who send them to the program for training. When taking into consideration employment in the field or transfer to university, there is nearly 100% placement.
  • Community Engagement: The program actively engages with the community by providing training and certifications to individuals in drug rehabilitation facilities and the correctional department, contributing to local workforce development.

“When our students go to apply for a job and somebody looks at their resume, the employers know Festo. Most aren’t familiar with Enterprise State, but they know who the companies are. By basing our courses on their industry-approved certifications, we know we're teaching what industry thinks is important and preparing our students for their careers.”

- Aubri Hanson, Applied Technology Division Director and Mechatronics Instructor at ESCC.

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