APS, ACC Partner to Offer Robotics & Engineering Tech Course

Educators at both Alpena Community College and Alpena Public Schools decided to form a partnership that combines the schools’ robotic and engineering tech courses.

Many courses at both ACC and APS are already aligned, but this was a new undertaking.

“Kids actually have the opportunity to earn up 12 college credits in their area of study,” said Lee Fitzpatrick, Communications Director at Alpena Public Schools.

Alpena Community College always appreciates opportunities to partner with Alpena Public Schools, and with these two programs being so closely related, it was a perfect match.

“It makes perfect sense;” said Alpena Community College president Don McMaster. “It streamlines that process and creates a clearer pathway for students, and it gets them into the workforce quicker. That’s good for everybody.”

Getting into the workforce in the specific field of engineering tech, especially in the state of Michigan, allows companies that have desperately needed help to finally get it.

“That inability to land as much talent as they need prevents them from expanding their business, or moving faster to do business or fulfill orders that they currently have,” said McMaster.

Not only will it provide an easier path into the workforce, it helps students get ahead on their college credits as well.

“It’s an expensive process to earn a degree, and we want to get kids started on a successful pathway and also help them save some money, so we’re always looking for opportunities to get kids started on a career track,” said Fitzpatrick.

Students from Atlanta and Hillman are also eligible to enroll in the program, and it’s still not too late to enroll for the fall.