Controls Technician

Powering Modern Industry

Adult Costs

$4,560

Program Length

26 months

Next Start Date

3/9/2026

Enroll by

February 26th

Location

Main Campus

Learn More

Your name

Your Future in Controls Automation Starts Here

Step into a highly specialized career where hands-on skills meet technology. Learn in-demand skills—from robotics to industrial networking—that will prepare you for advanced work in the automated manufacturing industry.

Avg. Salary

$66k

for OTECH Grads

Career Growth

1.50%

by 2032 in Utah

Day in the Life

As a controls technician, you will help keep modern industry running by designing, implementing, and managing automated systems. No two days are exactly the same—one might involve troubleshooting a malfunctioning sensor on a conveyor line, while the next might focus on reprogramming a PLC to improve efficiency. No matter your chosen field, your work combines technical know-how with problem-solving skills to keep equipment safe, reliable, and optimized.

Career Skills You'll Learn:

Programmable Logic Controllers

Learn how to operate specialized computers used in industrial automation.

Industrial Robots

Program and operate automated industrial robots to perform various tasks.

Industrial Networking

Understand how to connect industrial devices and systems through the use of networking technologies.

Servo System Programming

Use software and hardware to control the motion of a servo motor through feedback and corrective actions.

Vision Systems

Learn how to operate vision systems for quality control, robot guidance, and data reading.

Human Machine Interface

Understand the basics of HMI programming and learn how to facilitate communication and control.

Potential Career Paths

Control Engineer

Design, implement, and maintain control systems.

Automation Engineer

Design and implement automated processes and machinery.

Project Manager

Manage automation projects from start to finish, requiring strong technical and organizational skills.

Building Automation Engineer

Focus on the automation of building systems, like HVAC, lighting, and security.

Robotics Engineer

With further training, technicians can move into robotics—designing, developing, and maintaining robotic systems.

OTECH Partners who hire our Controls Technician graduates

Program Overview

The Controls Technician program prepares students for advanced work as Control Systems Technicians in an automated manufacturing environment. This certificate provides hands-on training in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), industrial robots, industrial networking, servo system programming, vision systems, and Human Machine Interface (HMI) programming.

Students work with industry professional teaching staff who emphasize hands-on instruction and provide competency training based on industry input for best practices and technological relevance.

Classroom Hours
This is a hybrid program. Complete coursework online and come to the classroom for labs and hands-on skills.

Day: M-Th 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Day: F 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Eve: M-Th 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Enrollment open to
Adults, High school students

Credit transfer options
Available to view here

Tuition & Cost

Estimated Adult Tuition and Fees
$4,605.00

Estimated Materials Cost
$381.36

Estimated High School Student Cost
$846.52

Financial Aid Eligibility
Scholarship: Yes
VA: Yes
Pell Grant: Yes

Program Materials
MaterialRequiredNew
Graph ruled paper$3.39
Digital Multimeter$64.95
Flash Drive (2GB or greater)$12.50
Fluid power and electrical drawing template$19.99
Safety Glasses Clear$2.99
Miller, Charles Ugly's Electrical Reference 2023 Jones & Bartlett, 2023. ISBN: 9781284275919$17.77
Subtotal of required materials$56.64
TEAM 1010 Essential Skills and Safety
MaterialRequiredNew
General OSHA Online Safety Course$35.00
See Program Material List$0.00
Subtotal of required materials$35.00
TEAM 1140 Industrial Robotics
MaterialRequiredNew
FANUC America Corp. Handling Tool Operations & Programming Student Manual$133.35
See Program Material List$0.00
Subtotal of required materials$133.35
CTRL1010 Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers II
MaterialRequiredNew
See Program Material List$0.00
Max Rabiee Programmable Logic Controllers. 3rd. Goodheart Wilcox, ISBN: 978-1-60525-945-1$130.15
Subtotal of required materials$130.15
CTRL1015 Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers III
MaterialRequiredNew
See Program Material List$0.00
Max Rabiee Programmable Logic Controllers. 3rd. Goodheart Wilcox, ISBN: 978-1-60525-945-1$130.15
Subtotal of required materials$130.15
CTRL1040 Instrumentation Process Control
MaterialRequiredNew
See Program Material List$0.00
Miller, Charles Ugly's Electrical Reference 2023 Jones & Bartlett, 2023. ISBN: 9781284275919$17.77
Subtotal of required materials$17.77
CTRL1050 Instrumentation Pressure Control
MaterialRequiredNew
See Program Material List$0.00
Miller, Charles Ugly's Electrical Reference 2023 Jones & Bartlett, 2023. ISBN: 9781284275919$17.77
Subtotal of required materials$17.77
CTRL1060 Instrumentation Thermal Control
MaterialRequiredNew
See Program Material List$0.00
Miller, Charles Ugly's Electrical Reference 2023 Jones & Bartlett, 2023. ISBN: 9781284275919$17.77
Subtotal of required materials$17.77

This program has no admission requirements. You may start your admissions application at any time.

The OTECH Controls Technician program has rolling start dates throughout the year. If you are interested in enrolling in the program, please review the application deadlines and program start dates below to ensure a smooth application process.

3/9/2026
  • Build an operational industrial network containing computers and control devices.
  • Program a process using a common PLC.
  • Design and program and HMI screen to interface with a PLC and control a process.
  • Program a servo-driven process with a PLC.
  • Identify, locate, communicate with other devices, and inspect two different parts using machine vision.
  • Demonstrate the ability to successfully build a project that integrates multiple control topics.
Course Syllabus →
Course NumberCourse NameCreditsCost
CADT21103D Parametric Solid Modeling4$380
CTRL1000Integration Capstone4$380
CTRL1010Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers II3$285
CTRL1015Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers III3$285
CTRL1020Siemens Programmable Logic Controllers II3$285
CTRL1025Siemens Programmable Logic Controllers III3$285
CTRL1030Mechatronics3$285
CTRL1040Instrumentation Process Control2$190
CTRL1050Instrumentation Pressure Control2$190
CTRL1060Instrumentation Thermal Control2$190
CTRL1070Machine Safety Integration1$95
CTRL1080Servo Motors and Drives2$190
CTRL1090Fanuc Advanced Programming2$190
CTRL1100Robot Vision1$95
CTRL1110Industrial Networking Basics1$95
IAMT1036Introduction to Industrial Automation3$285
IAMT1065Industrial Mechanics3$285
IAMT1075Fluid Power3$285
IAMT1085Electrical Systems for Industrial Automation3$285
IAMT1110Electrical Motor Controls4$380
IAMT1120Vision Systems1$95
IAMT1135Programmable Logic Controllers I4$380
IAMT1140Industrial Automation Troubleshooting & Workplace Skills3$285
IAMT1430Robotics3$285
IAMT1440Control Panel Building3$285
WELD1027Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) I2$190
Mike Tolson

Mike Tolson has over 20 years of mechanical maintenance experience, including 18 years in the manufacturing industry and 12 years of industrial automated machine build, setup, and training experience. Mike graduated from the Ogden-Weber Technical College Industrial Automation Maintenance program in 2016. In 2017, he became a full-time instructor so that he could continue his passion for conveying his knowledge to others. Mike truly enjoys being a part of others’ success and will do what it takes to help students obtain their goals.

Office Hours (by appointment)
M & F: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
T-Th: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Location
Manufacturing Tech 100D

mike.tolson@otech.edu

801-395-3771