Industry Partnerships Lead to Fast-Track Careers in Technology

Nov 30, 2021

Brandon Manzanares graduated from DVC with an associate in science in allied health. After spending some time working in the medical field, he felt he wanted to explore other career options.

“I have always had an interest in computer science, engineering and robotics, so I decided to go back to school,” said Manzanares.

Manzanares was particularly interested in the Tesla Manufacturing Development Program.

“What impressed me the most about the Tesla program was that I would be a full-time employee at Tesla with benefits, while also being able to go to school and earn a certificate that will help me within the company,” said Manzanares.

Brandon Manzanares Manzanares is a production assistant at Tesla. He is just one of many Tesla employees who are enrolled at DVC while working full-time for the company.

“Our partnership stems from the fact that TESLA needs to train their employees and they need to hire a new workforce,” said Manuel Covarrubias, assistant professor and area lead for the electricity/electronics/energy systems programs at DVC, TESLA had been training their employees through their internal program, TESLA University.

“They came to realize that it is better to have their workforce be trained at a college like DVC because that is what we are good at – training and teaching. TESLA doesn’t need to build any new facilities or create curriculum. We have the curriculum and we can work with TESLA to tweak it to meet their needs,” said Covarrubias.

The partnership with Tesla was critical to the revitalization of DVC machining and manufacturing programs.

“We realized we were dealing with a generation of students who were not provided with hands-on shop classes in California high schools. As we began to write our new robotics program, Tesla’s training team provided guidance and insight. We then worked closely with our advisory board to ensure we would also meet the demands of our other industry partners,” said Jeffrey Smith, program lead for industrial design, robotics and advanced manufacturing at DVC.

Manzanares is looking forward to building his skills and his career through the Tesla Manufacturing Development Program (MDP).

“As part of the Tesla MDP, I am working towards a certificate of achievement in industrial automation and robotics at DVC. I may pursue a certificate or degree in computer science as well. I plan to continue working at Tesla after completing the program. I’m looking forward to moving into the maintenance team and utilizing what I will learn here at DVC. There are many opportunities for growth within Tesla,” said Manzanares.

Tesla is just one of several employers who partner with DVC.

“We have such a diversity of leading companies in the Bay Area as partners. We work closely with Benchmark Electronics, Marathon Petroleum, Autodesk, and Tesla. These powerhouse companies are involved in steering our program to ensure that we are meeting the demands of industry, while also giving our students a solid academic foundation,” said Smith.

“Marathon Petroleum’s partnership with DVC includes funding vocational education and provides opportunities to help shape DVC’s career technical education curriculum to ensure it is current and relevant to our industry and the jobs of tomorrow,” said Nichol Carranza, community investments representative for Marathon Petroleum.

Smith feels fortunate to have gained such strong support from Marathon’s engineering team.

CNC machine donated by Marathon Petroleum “They saw value in the types of students we are producing. Over the past few years, they have significantly invested in our engineering technology program. Because of this generosity, we were able to purchase a new computer numeric control (CNC) machine with a 5-axis milling table for our advanced manufacturing and machining programs,” said Smith.

In addition to providing financial support to DVC, Marathon Petroleum is a valued member of the DVC engineering technology advisory committee. Marathon employees have also served as guest speakers for DVC classes, and have given tours of of their facility to
DVC students.

“We are grateful to have a community partner like DVC that provides specialized training in technical education. Marathon’s success relies on its ability to recruit and retain employees with those skills. Our investments at DVC align with our priorities to support vocational education and thriving communities,” said Carranza.

DVC students who complete the industrial maintenance machinist/mechanic (mTECH) certificate of achievement will have the skills needed to appeal to employers like Marathon Petroleum.

“Future employees will have the opportunity to work on renewable fuels and to be part of the effort to achieve California’s climate goals. DVC’s associate in science degree and its certificates in machine technology (mTech) help prepare students for the types of careers available in the evolving energy industry,” said Carranza.

The industry partnerships forged by DVC are crucial – not only for students, but also for workforce investment throughout the region.

“Industry partnerships help ensure DVC students are working on cutting-edge technologies and gaining practical experience. We know that some problems can’t be solved in isolation in a lab or classroom. Industry feedback is key in sparking innovation whether it be in re-energizing our curriculum, adding facilities and equipment, or taking an invention or product from concept to market. Companies who may not have the time themselves to incubate ideas are vying for graduates who have the pulse on emerging markets,” said Covarrubias.

Program spotlight

Certificate of achievement – industrial automation and robotics

ELTRN-107 Introduction to Robotics
ELECT-120 Direct Current Circuits
ELTRN-121 Alternating Current Circuits
ELECT-130 Motors and Motor Controllers
ELECT-271 Programmable Logic Controllers
ENGTC-160 Introduction to Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
ENGTC-175 Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems and Components
ENGTC-176 Mechanical Systems and Components
ENGTC-180 Robotics and Automation for Industry

Plus at least 2 units from:

ENGTC-165 Manufacturing Processes: Material Machining I
CONST-110 Occupational Safety

For more information about the industrial automation and robotics program, visit www.dvc.edu/industrial-automation-and-robotics.

Certificate of achievement – industrial maintenance machinist/mechanic (mTECH)

CONST 110 Occupational Safety
ELECT 110 Survey of Electricity
ENGTC 119 Introduction to Technical Drawing
ENGTC 165 Machining and Manufacturing I
ENGTC 167 Machining and Manufacturing II
ENGTC 175 Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems and Components
ENGTC 176 Mechanical Systems and Components

Plus at least 0-5 units from:

ENGTC 111 Mathematics for Technicians
MATH 119 Beginning and Intermediate Algebra
MATH 121 Plane Trigonometry
MATH 191 Pre-Calculus
MATH 192 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I

For more information about the mTECH program, visit www.dvc.edu/engineering-technology.

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