Machine Maintenance - Basic & Advanced

Fox Valley Technical College understands the challenge of hiring qualified maintenance personnel that are essential in keeping operations running smoothly.  To address these workforce challenges, specialized cohort programs were developed for employers to up-skill current employees by providing the necessary training to become the technicians employers need right now! 

Benefits:

  • Education pathways designed to develop frontline workforce from entry-level positions to skilled areas.
  • Education Pathway Flyer (PDF)
  • Convenient one-day per week training model, which allows for minimal disruption of a traditional workweek.
  • Employees earn credit toward certificates, technical diplomas and associate degrees.
  • Books and material expenses covered in training cost.
  • Questions can be directed to Dawn Rall at 920-735-4842 or dawn.rall6911@fvtc.edu

Specialized Cohort Programs

ADVANCED AUTOMATION AND MAINTENANCE

Technicians and maintenance personnel seeking advanced automation skills will find them here. With this certificate, you will focus on advanced automation skills including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, software, SCADA and the integration of multiple industrial devices. You will also learn skills in robotics, motion controllers and motion systems used in industry.

Program Overview:  AAM Flyer (PDF)

Target Audience: Journey Worker Electricians and Advanced Maintenance personnel with strong electrical backgrounds who desire to upgrade their PLC (Studio 5000), Robotics, Industrial Communication, and Device Integration knowledge.

Courses Include: 
Semester 1:     PLC 2, 3, 4, & 5, and Robotics 1 & 2
Semester 2:     Cell Integration, Operator Interfaces, and Robotics Integration


Wednesdays - Semester 1 of 2:
Dates:
January 14-May 13, 2026
Time: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Semester Fee: $3,490 per person (WAT Grant Benefit Included)


Register

INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE – YEAR 1

Today's manufacturers need skilled maintenance personnel to keep operations running smoothly. In year one of this program, you will get a solid foundation in electrical power systems and industrial machinery. You will learn about mechanical concepts and electrical power distribution, and build your skills in electronics, fluid power and programmable logic controllers.

Program Overview: Year 1 Flyer (PDF)

Target Audience: Front-line employees with mechanical/electrical aptitude preparing for a career in maintenance. 

Courses Include: 
Semester 1:     DC Circuits 1 & 2, Hydraulics 1, and College Tech Math 1A
Semester 2:     Motors & Drives 2, DC Circuits 3, AC Circuits 1, Ladder Logic, and Systems Troubleshooting


TWO OPTIONS:

Tuesdays – Semester Two
Dates:
January 13-May 12, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Semester Fee: $1,180 per person (WAT Grant Benefit Included)

OR

Thursdays – Semester Two
Dates: 
January 15-May 14, 20265
Time: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Semester Fee: $1,180 per person (WAT Grant Benefit Included)


Register

INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE – YEAR 2

In year two of this program, you will advance skills in the field of industrial maintenance and learn about elements of machines, fluid power, electrical power distribution, concepts of programming, and electronic construction.

Program Overview:  Year 2 Flyer (PDF)

Target Audience: Entry level-maintenance technicians who have successfully completed Industrial Maintenance Year 1 or equivalent.

Courses Include:
Semester 1:     Concepts of Programming, Electrical Power Distribution 1, Industrial Electrical Applications, and Pneumatics, 1 & 2
Semester 2: PLC 1 & 2 (Allen Bradley), Electronic Construction Applications, and Elements of Machines 1 & 2


TWO OPTIONS:
 

Mondays – Semester Two
Dates: January 12-May 11, 2026 
Time: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Semester Fee: $2,895 per person

OR

Tuesdays – Semester Two
Dates:
January 13-May 12, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Semester Fee: $2,895 per person


Register

INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE – YEAR 3

After completing year 1 and 2 of the Industrial Maintenance employer training –choose from two skill-set options in year 3.  Depending on your maintenance and workforce needs learn about PLC’s, instrumentation and process control, robotics, advanced studies of fluid power and blueprint reading.  Hands-on study targets towards Siemens and/or Rockwell platforms.

Target Audience: Entry level-maintenance technicians who have successfully completed Industrial Maintenance Year 1 & 2 or equivalent.


Rockwell Option: Offered Fall Semester only
Courses Include: PLC 3 & 4 (Rockwell), Instrumentation and Process Control 1, 2, & 3

Siemens Option 2 Semesters Offered
Courses Include:  
Semester 1: PLC 2 & 3 (Siemens), Hydraulics 2, and Robotics 1 & 2
Semester 2: PLC 4 & 5 (Siemens), Instrumentation and Process Control 1, 2, & 3 (Siemens), and Blueprint Reading Fundamental


Thursdays - Semester Two
Dates:
January 15-May 14, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Semester Fee: $4,782 per person
$3895 per person without Blueprint Reading


Register

 

MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE

This program targets front-line employees who need to learn the basics of mechanical maintenance and prepare for an entry-level position in maintenance or pathway into an apprenticeship program.

Program Overview:  Mechanical Flyer (PDF)

Target Audience: Front-line employees with mechanical aptitude preparing for an entry-level career in maintenance or apprenticeship program.

Courses Include:  
Sem 1, Spring: Hydraulics 1, Pneumatics1, Manufacturing Safety with OSHA 10, Industrial Maintenance Math
Sem 2, Summer: Blueprint Reading /Fabrication Techniques, Introduction to Pipefitting & Tube Bending, Rigging and Lifting for Manufacturing
Sem 3, Fall: Related Welding, Machine Shop Basics, and Elements of Machines 


Thursdays – Semester One
Dates:
January 15-May 14, 2026
Time: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Semester Fee: $3,630 per person
 

Register 


Mondays & Tuesdays – Semester Two
Dates:
TBD (usually runs end of May-June)
Time: TBD
Semester Fee: Estimated per person fee $2,350

*Registration available at a later date. 


TBD – Semester Three
Dates: TBD Fall Semester
Time: TBD
Estimated Fee: $3845 per person

*Registration available at a later date.

HANDS-ON MECHANICAL SKILLS WORKSHOP

The Hands-on Mechanical Skills Workshop exposes employees to concepts and skills related to the trades such as abstract reasoning, spatial relations, mechanical aptitudes, and math found in a manufacturing environment.  The workshop can be used as a step in the onboarding/orientation process or used as a tool to prepare employees for mechanical assessments.

Workshop Overview:  This 3-hour workshop includes lecture, practice with hands-on lab trainers, and one-on-one coaching.

Target Audience:

  • Employees who may benefit from mechanical aptitude reinforcement
  • Employees in an onboarding/orientation process preparing for a career in manufacturing
  • Assessment candidates seeking a career in maintenance or an apprenticeship

Benefits:

  • Exposes trainee to mechanical concepts and apply reasoning in a practical environment
  • Increases ability of trainee to understand machines or tools
  • Boosts confidence and reduces stress on assessment candidates by exposing them to potential test concepts 
  • Prepares assessment candidates for testing and reduces cost of potential retakes

View Workshop Schedule

Business & Industry Services (BIS)
5 N. Systems Drive
Appleton, WI 54914-1655

P: 888-458-0449
P: 920-735-2525
F: 920-735-4771