
Industrial Systems Specialist
Unique in the State
Technical Diploma
28 Credits | 1 Year
Financial Aid-Eligible
New Richmond
Manufacturing
This program will be modified for the 2021-2022 academic year pending WTCS approval. Please contact a WITC Admissions Advisor if interested or have questions (link to advisor).
Graduates install, troubleshoot, program and repair electrical, light mechanical, and computer systems used in industry to control and automate machines or processes. The equipment that you will deal with controls machines used in manufacturing and equipment used to control continuous processes. Examples include power utilities, petrochemical and chemical, paper, plastics, municipal water and wastewater, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, renewable energy, and control equipment support by vendors and engineering firms.
As a graduate, you can secure employment as Field Service Engineers, Automation Engineers, Instrumentation Technicians, Electricians, Control Systems Programmers, Control Systems Designers, Process Operators, Automation for Industrial Systems Technicians and Maintenance Technicians.
Program Overview
This program is intended and recommended for individuals with a background in electrical equipment or electricity. Process and manufacturing plants employ technicians to keep their machines and processing running and install and maintain equipment. With this one-year technical diploma, you will be prepared to be employed at the technician level or higher on industrial computer networks, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and process instruments. You will have both classroom and hands-on laboratory instruction with several systems to gain an understanding of controller and PLC interfacing, control systems and network installation.
Program Outcomes
Industrial Systems Specialist graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate safe practices and techniques
- Perform installations of controls hardware/software/cabling
- Perform programming and configuration of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Distributed Control Systems (DCSs)
- Integrate control systems
- Troubleshoot hardware/software of PLCs, instrumentation and control systems
- Develop system documentation

Information is presented in a classroom setting and then applied in the lab. Equipment used in the lab is kept current to match what is being used in industry. You will learn how to install and set up a variety of common industrial networks.

High-demand job.

Hands-on education.

Industrial networking skills.
Academics
Industrial Systems Specialist classes are offered at the New Richmond campus in a traditional classroom and lab format.
Career Pathways
As an Industrial Systems Specialist student at WITC, you will earn a technical diploma that can be applied in its entirety to an associate degree in Automation for Industrial Systems.
Club Activities
You can join the International Society of Automation Club and participate in field trips and regional competitions. Other clubs include Veteran’s Club and Student Senate.
Unique in the State
There is no other program like this in Wisconsin. You'll gain a specific set of skills that employers in this field look for in an employee.
Curriculum
Program-specific subjects covered include process control, instrumentation, PLC programming and supervisory control. Other classes include industrial networking, power electronics and supervisory and distributed control concepts.
Featured Industrial Systems Specialist Courses
Industrial Systems Specialist is Part of a Career Pathway
As an Industrial Systems Specialist student at WITC, you can earn credentials each step of the way.
This is the program you're looking at.
You can continue your education to obtain an associate degree.
Transfer your credits to earn a bachelor's degree.
Automation for Industrial Systems Transfer Options
Admissions and Tuition
WITC has a simple admission process that can be completed in one visit. To start the process, simply fill out an application form along with a $30 application fee. After you’ve successfully submitted your application, your next step is to schedule an admissions meeting with a WITC counselor to discuss your goals and expectations. That’s it!
Tuition and Fees
WITC breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits and scholarships.
Estimated Total Program Costs 2020-21*
Industrial Systems Specialist
26 Credits | 1 Year
$3,967
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the WITC Industrial Systems Specialist Program
Upon completion of the program, you will an Industrial Systems Specialist technical diploma.

Transfer Options
Transfer your WITC credits to a four-year college in Wisconsin to obtain your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
WITC's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
