COTC Engineering Associate Degrees Critical to the Workforce of the Future

For 50 years, Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) has prepared the region’s workforce with skilled career-ready graduates of the college’s in-demand technical degree and certificate programs. And now, due to Intel’s announcement in January that they will invest $20 billion in two semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Licking County, creating 3,000 permanent jobs, the region’s high-tech industrialization will continue to accelerate rapidly. But even before Intel’s announcement, COTC was already hard at work redefining how it will prepare the workforce of tomorrow — for both established and new industries.

Part of this vision includes the reinvention of COTC’s engineering programs.

Intel’s public announcement that they plan to hire 70% of their Ohio workforce at the associate degree level draws welcome attention to the relevance of associate degrees. But local industries have actually welcomed and hired graduates of two-year degrees for decades. The reason is simple — associate degrees offer excellent career-ready training and skills.

Today, COTC is ready to help Ohioans continue gaining the necessary high-tech career skills to join the workforce of the future by offering convenient, affordable and flexible training that will position them quickly for in-demand careers.

COTC offers two engineering degrees, the Associate of Applied Science in Engineering Technology and the Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology and an Industrial Electrician certificate. Engineering graduates gain real-world, transferable skills in multiple areas for each program.

Industrial Electrician Certificate

This six-course certificate provides an introduction to electrical engineering, including AutoCAD and circuits. All courses count toward COTC’s Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology.

Associate Degrees:

Electrical Engineering Technology is a two-year degree offering skilled training to complement a wide variety of industries. Classes include circuits, digital electronics, AutoCAD, project management and more. COTC’s associate degree in electrical engineering is an exceptionally good fit for careers as an Intel technician/fabricator. It will also deliver critical engineering skills needed for high-tech careers in other technology industries. This degree is internationally accredited by ABET.

Engineering Technology is a two-year degree offering a broad set of foundational engineering skills transferable to multiple industries. Created with local industry input, classes include AutoCAD, 3D modeling, principles of machining, computer applications, engineering materials and more.

To help students fit education into today’s busy lifestyles, COTC offers four convenient campus locations in Pataskala, Knox, Newark and Coshocton, plus multiple course formats.

Affordability and Student Support

COTC offers more than $1 million in scholarships annually, making college an affordable option for a broad range of students. Additionally, specific STEM scholarships are available to students in COTC’s service area. In Licking County, the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority STEM Scholarship will provide financial assistance to students at COTC and The Ohio State University at Newark who are from Licking County and pursuing STEM degrees. It will also benefit individuals who work at any business located on the Port Authority’s Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center campus and employees’ families. General engineering scholarships are also available to new students.

In Coshocton and Knox counties, the COTC Promise guarantees to fund the gap between tuition (instructional and general fees) and remaining student need after all other private scholarships and institutional, federal and state aid are exhausted. Under the program, all tuition will be covered for students annually reporting a household income of $60,000 or less on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The COTC Promise programs are open to new, current or returning COTC students who do not already hold a bachelor’s or associate degree and can be used for classes at any COTC campus. Eligible students must be current Coshocton or Knox County residents who have lived in the county for at least one year.

Importantly, COTC also increases affordability by awarding college credit for what students already know, understanding that not all learning happens in the classroom. COTC will work to save students time and money by reviewing their work and other learning experiences and awarding college credit for those experiences when possible. This prior learning credit can be invaluable in helping students save both time and money in earning their degrees.

COTC puts students first — offering academic, personal and wrap-around support services — always free. This year, the college redesigned its Student Success Center, which will provide holistic support for students throughout every aspect of their lives. Along with traditional tutoring and learning skills, success coaches will help students overcome other barriers that often lead to less than successful outcomes or even dropping out of school. Success coaches will connect students with local resources to help overcome barriers with housing, childcare, transportation, food insecurity and other challenges so that they can stay on track with their academic program.

We encourage everyone, from high school students to those who want to change careers, to those who never thought that college was for them, to take advantage of the many career opportunities in this evolving technology climate to change or improve the trajectory of their lives.

Learn More and Get Started Today

Visit cotc.edu/engineering-technology-careers to learn more. Applications are being accepted now for COTC’s autumn semester, which begins on Aug. 24. Apply for free at cotc.edu/apply. Contact the COTC admissions office at 740.366.9222 or email cotcadmissions@mail.cotc.edu to schedule an appointment with an admissions representative.