Practicum in Industry

Course Description

ETI2943 – Practicum in Industry is a planned, work-based learning experience within the Engineering Technologies / Industrial Systems Technology taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course provides students with an opportunity to fine-tune skill sets learned in prior coursework and enhance workplace competencies through supervised practical experiences directly related to their career objectives in industrial and manufacturing environments.

Students are placed with approved industry partners where they perform hands-on technical work under the joint supervision of a qualified workplace mentor and a faculty coordinator. The number of credit hours awarded is variable and is determined by faculty in accordance with current articulation agreements and documented work hours. This course may be repeated for additional credit up to the institutional maximum, but grade forgiveness cannot be applied.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, all students will be able to:

• Apply technical knowledge and skills gained in prior Industrial Systems Technology coursework to real-world workplace tasks and assignments.
• Perform assigned duties under industrial supervision, demonstrating proficiency in relevant technical areas (e.g., manufacturing processes, industrial controls, quality systems, or maintenance).
• Demonstrate professional workplace behaviors, including punctuality, communication, teamwork, and adherence to employer policies and safety regulations.
• Follow all applicable workplace safety standards and OSHA regulations relevant to the assigned industrial setting.
• Document and report on work activities through journals, logs, or progress reports as required by the faculty coordinator.
• Articulate connections between classroom learning objectives and on-the-job tasks and experiences.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on the host employer and program emphasis, students may also:

• Participate in lean manufacturing or continuous improvement projects (e.g., Kaizen events, 5S implementation).
• Operate or assist with CNC machinery, PLCs, robotics, or automated systems in a production environment.
• Contribute to quality control or inspection processes, including use of measurement tools and documentation of non-conformances.
• Prepare a final project report or presentation summarizing accomplishments, challenges, and career development insights.
• Obtain or work toward an industry-recognized credential relevant to the practicum site (e.g., MSSC CPT, OSHA 10, Lean Bronze).

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Workplace Orientation and Onboarding – Employer expectations, facility safety procedures, equipment orientation, and regulatory compliance overview.
• Applied Technical Skills – Hands-on performance of tasks aligned with program coursework in industrial systems, manufacturing processes, instrumentation, or industrial controls.
• Industrial Safety and OSHA Compliance – Hazard identification, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and emergency procedures in the assigned work environment.
• Professional Communication – Written and verbal reporting of work progress to both the workplace supervisor and faculty coordinator; professional conduct in an industrial setting.
• Work Documentation – Maintaining time logs, work journals, or activity reports documenting tasks performed, hours completed, and competencies demonstrated.
• Supervision and Performance Evaluation – Mid-term and final supervisor evaluations assessing technical skill, reliability, initiative, and overall job performance.

Optional Topics

• Lean and Six Sigma Principles in Practice – Participation in waste reduction, process mapping, or Six Sigma data collection activities at the worksite.
• Quality Assurance Procedures – Involvement in statistical process control (SPC), inspection routines, or ISO documentation practices.
• Automated Systems and PLC Operation – Practical exposure to programmable logic controllers, HMI interfaces, or robotic work cells.
• Preventive Maintenance Activities – Scheduled maintenance tasks, lubrication, calibration, and equipment diagnostics in a production environment.
• Capstone Project or Improvement Proposal – A student-identified workplace problem with a proposed or implemented solution, presented in written or oral form.

Resources & Tools

• Work-Based Learning Agreement – Formal tri-party agreement between the student, employer, and college outlining goals, responsibilities, and supervision structure.
• Practicum Learning Plan / Training Outline – Faculty-approved document detailing specific competencies and tasks to be performed during the placement.
• Student Work Journal / Time Log – Required weekly documentation of hours and activities submitted to the faculty coordinator.
• Supervisor Evaluation Form – Mid-term and final employer assessment instrument used to evaluate student performance against program competencies.
• Florida Department of Education SCNS Resources – Available at flscns.fldoe.org for course profile and articulation information.
• Industry-Specific Technical Manuals and SOPs – Provided by the host employer; may include equipment manuals, quality procedures, and safety data sheets (SDS).

Career Pathways

Successful completion of ETI2943 prepares students for entry-level to mid-level technical roles in Florida's manufacturing, industrial, and engineering technology sectors. Common career pathways include:

• Manufacturing Technician – Production operations, process monitoring, and equipment operation in discrete or continuous manufacturing.
• Industrial Maintenance Technician – Preventive and corrective maintenance of mechanical, electrical, and automated systems.
• Quality Control / Quality Assurance Technician – Inspection, testing, and documentation in compliance with ISO or similar quality standards.
• Automation / PLC Technician – Programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining automated control systems on the plant floor.
• Production Supervisor (Career Ladder) – With additional experience and education, advancement to lead technician or supervisory roles.
• Engineering Technology Associate (A.S. Pathway) – The practicum experience fulfills a capstone requirement within A.S. programs in Engineering Technology at Florida colleges such as Polk State, FSCJ, Seminole State, and College of Central Florida.

Special Information

Certification Preparation: Depending on the host site and program track, students enrolled in ETI2943 may be eligible to pursue or complete hours toward the following industry-recognized credentials:

• MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) – Recognized credential in manufacturing fundamentals including safety, quality, manufacturing processes, and maintenance.
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry – Workplace safety certification applicable to all industrial environments.
• Lean Manufacturing Bronze Certification – Awarded upon completion of aligned coursework (e.g., ETI 1622 / ETI 2623) combined with practical lean application at the worksite.
• FANUC Certified Robotics Training – Applicable where the practicum host site utilizes FANUC robotic equipment.
• SACA Credentials – Various automation and controls credentials may be pursued depending on the practicum assignment.

Placement Requirements: Students must secure an approved industry placement prior to enrolling. Placements must be in a field directly related to the student's program of study and approved by the faculty coordinator. The practicum is not automatically transferable under SCNS equivalency rules; transfer credit acceptance is at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Grading: This course is typically graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) basis or standard letter grade, as determined by institutional policy. Grade forgiveness may not be applied to repeated attempts of this course.