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Degrees and Schools
Associate degrees in industrial engineering technology are available. The program teaches the fundamentals of engineering principles. Some of the other common education programs for the occupation are industrial technology/technician, industrial production technologies/technicians and manufacturing technology/technician.
Technical institutes typically provide a substantial amount of technical training via application and practice. Technical institutes typically provide less general education and theory than community colleges.
Many schools offer bachelor's degrees in engineering technology, however graduates of these programs usually obtain a technologist or an applied engineer position and not a technician job.
The type and quality of training varies significantly among the private and public schools which provide technical training. Students may want to ask perspective employers for their school preferences.
Classes
Students typically study the following subjects:
- Engineering principles
- Advanced mathematics
- Industrial theory
- Computer technology applications
- Engineering technology
- Industrial theory
Online Classes and Programs
Some schools provide online degrees in industrial engineering technology. Prospective online students should look for schools which have received accreditation from an agency approved by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education
Employment Requirements
Most employers seek applicants who have at least an associate degree in engineering technology. Graduates of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited programs are typically recognized as having an acceptable level of competence in the subjects of science and math and also technical courses that are required for the occupation.
The top employers of industrial engineering technicians are durable goods manufacturers, engineering and business services companies, the U.S Departments of Transportation, Defense, Agriculture and Interior; municipal government agencies and state government agencies.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
The answers to the following questions can help students select the appropriate school:
- Training - Does the program provide a substantial amount of hands-on training? Does the program include an externship?
- School's Reputation - Is the school recognized for its engineering technology program?
- Job Placement - Are students provided job placement services? Do employers of industrial engineering technicians visit the school to recruit students? Does the school provide job fairs?
- Curriculum - What type of electives are offered?
- Financial Aid - What types of financial aid are available? Is the school qualified to provide federal financial aid?
- Accreditation - Is the school accredited by an agency which has been approved by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education?
Industrial Engineering Technicians Job Description
Industrial engineering technicians typically work in manufacturing environments. They develop techniques to increase efficiency in using employees, materials and machines. They solve problems within industrial and manufacturing systems. They also study the performance of workers in order to establish standard production rates. Industrial engineering technicians use engineering principles and theory. Some industrial engineering technicians perform maintenance tasks.
Shown below are some of the responsibilities of industrial engineering technicians:
- Create layouts of equipment and machinery
- Evaluate production costs and plan the flow of work
- Recommend changes to methods of operations
- Conduct statistical studies of production quality or time
- Assist with the planning of worker assignments
- Evaluate time, motion, methods and the speed involved in production, maintenance and other types of operations
- Evaluate workers' logs, product processing sheets and specification sheets to determine if records adhere to quality assurance specifications
- Develop graphs, diagrams and charts to illustrate machine utilization, workflow and routing material handling
Resources
- American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians
- National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
