Manufacturing Technology Co-op

Course Description

ETI2947 – Manufacturing Technology Co-op is a 1-credit, work-based learning course within the Engineering Technologies > Industrial Systems Technology taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course provides students with supervised, on-the-job training in a manufacturing or industrial systems environment through the cooperative education model. Students apply technical knowledge and skills acquired in prior Engineering Technology coursework to real-world manufacturing settings under the joint oversight of a faculty coordinator and an employer site supervisor.

The cooperative method of instruction requires each student to have an individualized training agreement and a training plan signed by the student, instructor, and employer. The plan specifies instructional objectives, a list of on-the-job and related learning experiences, and a qualified workstation that reflects the equipment, skills, and tasks relevant to the student's career goal in manufacturing technology. The workstation may be located in an industry setting or an approved virtual/hybrid learning environment. Students are expected to be compensated for their work, and the faculty coordinator must conduct at least one site visit or structured check-in per grading period to evaluate student progress.

This course may be taken for one or more semesters, and a student may earn multiple credits across repeat enrollments, provided the employer workstation and training objectives continue to align with the student's manufacturing technology program of study.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, all students are expected to demonstrate the ability to:

• Apply manufacturing technology skills and safety practices learned in prior coursework to a live industrial or production environment.
• Follow a documented individualized training plan with measurable objectives agreed upon by the student, instructor, and employer.
• Demonstrate professional workplace behavior, including punctuality, communication, teamwork, and adherence to workplace policies and safety regulations (including OSHA standards).
• Complete the required minimum work hours per credit as specified in the training agreement (typically 80–160 hours per credit hour per semester).
• Submit required documentation including time logs, employer evaluations, and periodic progress reports to the faculty coordinator.
• Reflect on on-the-job experiences and connect them to program learning outcomes in manufacturing or industrial systems technology.

Optional / Expanded Outcomes

Depending on the employer workstation and training plan objectives, students may also demonstrate:

• Proficiency with specific manufacturing equipment, CNC machinery, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), robotics systems, or other industry tools relevant to the placement site.
• Application of quality assurance methods, inspection procedures, and statistical process control in a production environment.
• Participation in lean manufacturing or continuous improvement activities such as 5S, Kaizen events, or waste-reduction initiatives.
• Compliance with industry-specific standards such as ISO 9001, MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) competencies, or sector-specific safety codes.
• Use of technical documentation including blueprints, schematics, work orders, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Contribution to team-based problem solving, process improvement, or production planning activities.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following topics form the core framework for all ETI2947 co-op placements and must be addressed in the training plan and faculty–student check-ins:

• Training Agreement and Plan Development – Establishing and documenting individualized learning objectives, employer expectations, and performance benchmarks at the start of the term.
• Workplace Safety and OSHA Compliance – Application of occupational safety standards, hazard identification, and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the manufacturing environment.
• Professional Workplace Conduct – Attendance, communication protocols, teamwork, conflict resolution, and adherence to employer policies.
• On-the-Job Skills Application – Performance of manufacturing-related tasks directly tied to the student's program specialization (e.g., advanced manufacturing, electronics, mechatronics, or industrial systems).
• Documentation and Reporting – Maintenance of weekly time logs, completion of employer mid-term and final evaluations, and submission of student self-assessment reports.
• Faculty Coordinator Supervision – Minimum one structured site visit or documented check-in per grading period between the faculty coordinator and employer supervisor.

Optional / Site-Dependent Topics

The following topics may be incorporated into the training plan based on the employer's industry sector and the student's career focus:

• CNC Machining and Precision Manufacturing – Operation, programming, or quality inspection of CNC turning or milling equipment.
• PLC and Automation Systems – Monitoring, troubleshooting, or programming of programmable logic controllers and automated production lines.
• Quality Control and Inspection – Use of measuring instruments, go/no-go gauges, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), or statistical process control (SPC) charts.
• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement – Participation in 5S workplace organization, value stream mapping, or Kaizen improvement events.
• Hydraulics, Pneumatics, and Mechanical Systems – Maintenance or troubleshooting of fluid power and mechanical drive systems on the production floor.
• Robotics and Electro-Mechanical Systems – Hands-on support for robotic work cells or automated electro-mechanical assembly systems.
• Supply Chain and Production Planning – Exposure to inventory management, scheduling, purchasing, or materials handling processes.
• Technical Documentation – Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, BOMs (bills of materials), and SOPs relevant to the production environment.

Resources & Tools

• Florida DOE Cooperative Education Manual – Available through the Florida Department of Education; provides guidelines for students, instructors, employers, and administrators, including sample training agreements.
• Florida SCNS Online Database (flscns.fldoe.org) – Official statewide course numbering system profiles and transfer information.
• FLATE (Florida Advanced Technological Education Center) – NSF-ATE-funded center supporting Florida engineering technology programs with curriculum resources, professional development, and industry connections (fl-ate.org).
• FloridaMakes Network – Florida's statewide Manufacturing Extension Partnership, connecting colleges and manufacturers for workforce and co-op collaboration.
• MSSC (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council) – Provider of the Certified Production Technician (CPT) credential; CPT competency areas (Safety, Quality, Manufacturing Processes, Maintenance Awareness) align with co-op training objectives.
• OSHA Training Resources – OSHA 10-Hour General Industry outreach materials and OSHA eTool library for workplace safety compliance reference.
• Employer Training Plan Template – Provided by the college's co-op coordinator; must be completed, signed, and maintained on file for each enrolled student.
• Student Time Log / Weekly Report Forms – Required documentation submitted to the faculty coordinator throughout the semester.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of ETI2947, within the context of an Engineering Technology A.S. or related credential, supports entry into or advancement within the following career areas:

• Manufacturing Technician – Production, assembly, and process support roles in advanced manufacturing facilities.
• Maintenance Technician – Preventive and corrective maintenance of industrial machinery and automated systems.
• Quality Control / Assurance Technician – Inspection, measurement, and quality documentation in production environments.
• Process Technician / Process Analyst – Monitoring and optimization of manufacturing workflows and production systems.
• Electro-Mechanical Technician – Troubleshooting and maintenance of integrated electrical and mechanical systems.
• CNC Operator / Machinist – Setup, operation, and quality checking of computer-numerically controlled machine tools.
• Automation / PLC Technician – Support for programmable logic controllers, robotics, and automated production lines.
• Systems Technician / Calibration Technician – Measurement systems, instrument calibration, and technical support roles.

Graduates may also pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree through Florida's 2+2 articulation pathway, or industry certifications such as the MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT), Lean Manufacturing Bronze Certification, or FANUC Certified Robotics Training.

Special Information

Cooperative Education Requirements

Per Florida Department of Education cooperative education guidelines, enrollment in ETI2947 requires:

• A completed and signed training agreement between the student, faculty coordinator, and employer prior to or at the start of the term.
• A training plan specifying individualized instructional objectives, on-the-job tasks, and in-school learning experiences directly tied to manufacturing technology competencies.
• A qualified employer workstation with equipment, skills, and tasks relevant to the student's manufacturing career goal; the workstation may be in an industry setting or an approved virtual/alternative environment.
• A designated site supervisor with working knowledge of the selected occupation who will provide direct oversight and complete employer evaluations.
• A minimum of one faculty site visit or structured supervisor contact per grading period for evaluation purposes.
• Student compensation for work performed is expected; unpaid placements require prior approval and must meet all other training plan criteria.

Certification Preparation

The on-the-job experiences gained in ETI2947 complement preparation for several industry-recognized credentials commonly embedded in Florida Engineering Technology programs:

• MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) – Co-op experience in production environments reinforces the four CPT modules: Safety, Quality Practices & Measurement, Manufacturing Processes & Production, and Maintenance Awareness.
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Card – Workplace safety practices applied on the job support OSHA 10 certification eligibility.
• Lean Manufacturing Bronze Certification – Co-op exposure to lean environments supports preparation for Lean/Six Sigma credentials offered through Florida college ETI programs.
• FANUC Certified Robotics Training – Students placed in automated or robotic manufacturing environments may gain hands-on hours applicable toward FANUC certification requirements.

Note: ETI2947 may be repeated for credit across multiple semesters as long as each enrollment includes a new or updated training plan with advancing objectives. Students should consult their academic advisor and program coordinator for enrollment eligibility, GPA requirements, and approved employer worksite guidance specific to their institution.