Industry Certification Program
FICP is a comprehensive certification program developed by industry experts and educators that ensures students have qualifying skills upon graduation, including soft skills such as effective communication, managing others and critical thinking. FICP is easily integrated with existing certificate, associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs, and offers four levels of certification.
- STEM Certifications | Introduction
- Level One Certifications | Fundamentals
- Level Two Certifications | Applied
- Level Three Certifications | Advanced
Current NC3 Industry 4.0 Certifications
STEM Certifications | Introduction
- Introduction to Mechatronics
- Introduction to Exploring Electricity
- Introduction to Exploring Electronics
- Introduction to Process Engineering
Level 1 Certifications | Fundamentals
- Fundamentals of Industry 4.0
- Fundamentals of Fluid Power - Pneumatics/Hydraulics
- Fundamentals of Electricity - AC/DC
- Fundamentals of Robotics
- Fundamentals of Mechanical Systems
- Fundamentals of Sensor Technology
- Fundamentals of PLCs - Allen Bradley/Siemens
- Certified Industry 4.0 Associate - Fundamentals
Level 2 Certifications | Applied
About Festo
Festo Didactic is a leading provider of technical education equipment and training. Festo’s educational solutions evolved from its world-class automation and engineering division and integrates the latest trends in each learning system it offers. The innovative product range allows educators and trainers to equip their classroom with the technology they need, from individual workstations to complete Learning Factories, as well as training and consulting, courseware solutions, and digital learning. www.festo.com
Mechatronics is a growing field with excellent wages and high demand. Come learn more about it at Patrick & Henry Community College!
Growing a Network of Partner Schools Address the U.S. Labor Gap
“Certifications are increasingly important as rapid advancements in technology spark the rise of ‘smart’ connected work environments and the need for a highly skilled workforce,” said Tony Oran, Vice President of Festo Didactic. “With jobs of the future tied to Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT), many employers desire certifications demonstrating specialized skill sets keeping pace with industry growth.”
History of the Partnership
The quality and scope of the FICP courses and expert skill levels of trainers go a long way in preparing students for jobs in diverse industry segments. Since the partnership began in 2018, Festo and NC3 now have certification centers spanning North America with hundreds of certified instructors bringing high quality instruction to thousands of students.
Value of the Partnership
Students, education entities and, most importantly employers increasingly see the value of demonstrated knowledge and skills. Education at all levels work with industry and education organizations to align the workforce they produce to the needs of industry at local, regional and national levels.
Future of the Partnership
As NC3 continues to expand in scope and influence in education and industry, Festo Didactic continues to identify new skill requirements and learning paths. Along with the growing list of secondary and post-secondary schools across the country, Festo Didactic collaborates with NC3 to provide a comprehensive portfolio of Fundamental, Applied and Advance skill sets. NC3 Industry partner collaboration is an integral element of growth expanding the breadth of certifications offered supporting community workforce needs. Festo and NC3 increasingly recognize the importance of STEM centered instruction reaching younger students and continues to expand introductory certifications aimed at giving students opportunities to explore potential career paths at an early age.
Transform Your Program
Through the FICP program, students can horizontally or vertically stack certification credentials. Horizontal stacking allows students to train across a variety of topics, for a well-rounded Industry 4.0 education. Vertical stacking provides a more concentrated focus on a specialized technology area, moving through all three levels to complete individual certificates.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CERTIFICATION SAMPLES
Certifications
STEM Certifications | Introduction
NC3 STEM certified students are introduced to various aspects of technical education with the idea of discovery. The certifications are designed to allow students to explore their interests in technical fields. The student can determine if a career path in a technical field is of interest to them.
Level 1 Certifications | Fundamentals
NC3 certified students in Level 1 are well-rounded machine operators/technicians, with responsibility for efficient operation of the equipment. They ensure the system is running at maximum capacity with an understanding of the role of each component and device. They can identify malfunctions and make minor repairs.
Level 2 Certifications | Applied
NC3 certified students through Level 2 are skilled technicians able to assess and analyze the system as a whole. They can manage, investigate, repair and troubleshoot I4.0 systems to maximize operation and process control. They understand how individual components interact with each other to make the whole system run efficiently.
Level 3 Certifications | Advanced
NC3 certified students through Level 3 understand the design and engineering of complex I4.0 Systems. Their responsibilities will include applying systems engineering practices, such as engineering, process management, and quality assurance management, in a project with the goal to implement, maintain, or improve I4.0 systems.
Current NC3 Industry 4.0 Certifications
STEM Certifications | Introduction
- Introduction to Mechatronics
- Introduction to Exploring Electricity
- Introduction to Exploring Electronics
- Introduction to Process Engineering
Level 1 Certifications | Fundamentals
- Fundamentals of Industry 4.0
- Fundamentals of Fluid Power - Pneumatics/Hydraulics
- Fundamentals of Electricity - AC/DC
- Fundamentals of Robotics
- Fundamentals of Mechanical Systems
- Fundamentals of Sensor Technology
- Fundamentals of PLCs - Allen Bradley/Siemens
- Certified Industry 4.0 Associate - Fundamentals
Level 2 Certifications | Applied
Where Can I Use These Certifications?
Level 1
- Electromechanical Technician
- Production Technician
- Industrial Maintenance Technician
Level 2
- Mechatronics Technician
- Automation Technician
- Applications Engineer
Level 3
- Industry 4.0 Operator
- Industry 4.0 Technician
- Mechatronics Engineer
Patrick & Henry Community College:
Featured Case Study
Industry 4.0 Case Studies
Patrick & Henry Community College in Martinsville, Virginia is the newest addition to the growing network of NC3/Festo Didactic partnership schools. FICP integrates with the college’s existing programs in mechatronics, industrial electronics technology, and general engineering technology and provides a globally recognized validation and certification of students’ skills in areas such as mechanical systems, electrical systems, pneumatic systems, programmable logic controllers, and robotic systems.
Read all about Patrick Henry's new Industry 4.0 program here
Festo Didactic | Managed Educational Services
Festo | Turnkey and Holistic Education Solutions
