Academic Catalogs

Industrial PLC Technician, Certificate of Achievement

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://catalog.cccd.edu.

Banner Code: 1_CN_ELIP

Control Number: 41431

Not Financial Aid Eligible


The Industrial PLC Technician Certificate is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to work on the PLC-based industrial control systems commonly found in advanced manufacturing facilities. Students will gain hands-on experience with Siemens and Allen-Bradley controllers. Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to troubleshoot PLC based systems, replace faulty electrical components, and program and commission systems. 

Students must complete the Industrial Electronics Technician Certificate of Achievement (13-14 units) as a part of the required coursework. 

Program Outcomes

  1. Students will gain the basic knowledge required to take the CET (Certified Electronics Technician) exam. 
  2. Students will be able to work safely in accordance with NFPA 70E. 
  3. Students will acquire the skills necessary to connect to a PLC, diagnose system problems, backup a program, and restore a program to a controller. 
  4. Students will gain proficiency in reading and creating schematics, wiring diagrams, and ladder logic diagrams for advanced control systems. 
  5. Students will acquire hands-on skills working with HMIs, SCADA, and industrial communication protocols.

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

The Certificate of Achievement is a state-approved career program that requires a minimum of eight units and is designed to prepare the graduate to enter a particular field of employment.  In order to be awarded a certificate, students are required to obtain a grade of “C” or better in all program-required courses. Grades of “CR” or “P” will be accepted whereas “CR” or “P” meets the equivalency of a “C” or better.  At least 3 units in an advanced course from the certificate must be completed at OCC at the department’s discretion.  Certificates of Achievement are not automatically awarded.  A petition must be filed in Enrollment Services or online at the beginning of the semester in which the student will be completing their final requirements.  The petitioning periods are listed in the Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.  Check with a counselor to determine the requirements for completion.

A list of certificate programs can be found in the Programs A-Z section of this catalog.  

Required Prerequisite

Industrial Electronics Technician Certificate of Achievement (13-14 units)

Course Title Units
Required Courses
ELEC A100Electronic Problem Solving3-4
or MATH A115 College Algebra
or MATH A120 Trigonometry
ELEC A111D.C. Circuits3
ELEC A112A.C. Circuits3
ELEC A131Automation 1- Industrial Control Systems4
Total Units13-14

Required Courses 

Course Title Units
Required Courses
ELEC A232Automation 2 - Programmable Logic Controller4
ELEC A233Automation 3 - Industrial Networks, HMI, and SCADA4
ELEC A102Safety, Maintenance, and Calibration1
ELEC A103Computer Hardware Configuration & Diagnostics3
or ELEC A290 Electronic Troubleshooting
Total Units12
Requirement Units
Prerequisite Requirements 13-14
Required Courses 12
Total Units 25-26