SFCC Becomes Authorized Smart Automation Certification Alliance

State Fair Community College recently became an Education Member of Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), a non-profit organization that seeks to develop and deploy modular Industry 4.0 certifications for a wide range of industries.

Consequently, SFCC will be able to provide its Industrial Maintenance students with no-cost, accessible certifications that demonstrate they have obtained critical “connected systems” skills that give them a competitive advantage in today’s job market. By this fall, as students move through their coursework, they will be able to earn certifications in technical skills relevant to industrial maintenance such as developing, building, programming, maintaining, and troubleshooting automation equipment and systems.

Jim Wall, SACA executive director, talks about the basis of the certifications on the alliance’s website at saca.org. These certifications are built by industry for industry and are developed by technical experts from companies across the country to ensure the standards and certifications are relevant and valid throughout the world.

As an SACA Education Member, SFCC has access to a wide variety of benefits such as authorization to offer unlimited, free certifications to its students; access to SACA assessment materials; discounted instructor/administrator training; and access to the latest developments in Industry 4.0 technology, education and certification. Membership authorizes SFCC to be an SACA Certification Site, to receive discounted SACA conference registration fees and to be eligible to serve on the SACA Education Advisory Panel.

Raymond Simmons, Jr., SFCC’s Industrial Maintenance program coordinator and instructor, heard about SACA from Michael Rogg, SFCC’s Technical Education and Workforce Innovation dean. After investigating SACA, he decided joining the alliance would benefit not only SFCC’s students but also employers and faculty.

“Our SACA membership is a very good added value to our program,” said Simmons. “When our students present their Industry 4.0 certifications to potential employers, it shows they have met industry-recognized standards. Companies that hire our students can be confident they have acquired the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in their careers.”

For more information about SFCC’s Industrial Maintenance program, visit www.sfccmo.edu/industrial-maintenance.

In the photo: State Fair Community College recently received the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) certificate of membership that certifies SFCC as an active SACA member and as an Authorized Certification Assessment Center. From left, Dr. Brent Bates, Educational and Student Support Services vice president; Raymond Simmons, Jr., Industrial Maintenance program coordinator and instructor; and Michael Rogg, Technical Education and Workforce Innovation dean.