We are all aware that the workforce to build and maintain automation systems is aging and shrinking, which is called the silver tsunami. As we are increasingly dependent on our automation systems, there needs to be a pipeline of talent into the industry with the right skillsets. Miami University in Oxford OH began to address this with the Systems Automation Springboard to Internships (SASI) program. This was an intense 3-week crash course in industrial automation for 8 sophomore students to prepare them for their internship assignments and to build the future pipeline of industrial automation talent.
What follows are their thoughts:
For many of us, before participating in SASI, our experience with process control was little to none. We were excited for the opportunity to build a foundation of knowledge in process control, as well as hear different perspectives from both professors and industry professionals. Some of the important things we learned include the goals of system automation, the types of advanced control systems, how to read P&ID's and circuit diagrams, methods of tuning PID controllers, how to size valves, how to work with large amounts of data, how neural networks work, and so on. We also learned that "automation" does not imply the termination of jobs; rather, it is a powerful tool that enables companies and people to advance further, and breeds innovation. We recognize that automation is an integral part of the future of manufacturing safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products.
The following lists where each of us are going to have our internships this summer:
Bailey Feeney: PCA, Jackson, Alabama
Colin McEwen: BTG, various mills across the country
Jarred Karikas: WestRock, Fernandina Beach
Madeline LaBouf: WestRock, Hopewell, Virginia
Nathan Sandholdt: ND Paper, Rumford, Maine
Nick Finch: PCA, Counce, Tennessee
Trevor Kuehn: ND Paper, Biron, Wisconsin
Trevor Schmehl: Grief Inc., Massillon, Ohio
DPAS-INC developed the curriculum for the course and helped present the material. I joined Dr Gary Rudemiller from the Miami University Pulp and Paper Foundation, as well as faculty Dr Jason Berberich, Dr Douglas Coffin, and Dr Giancarlo Corti to develop and present the material. It was also an honor to be joined by industry representatives Dave Worzalla, Drew Grippa, Bill Levenderis, Dr Russ Rhinehart, Walker Reynolds, and Patrick Tessier to present this material. We also appreciate the generous support of Paperitalo Publications LLC to the success of this workshop.
Miami University is leading the way with this unique program to tame the silver tsunami.
