ECPI University mechatronics BMW

While it may be a German company, BMW’s Greer, South Carolina plant now makes more cars than any of the automaker’s other factories worldwide. With an annual volume of more than 400,000 vehicles, BMW projects that number to grow by another 50,000 by year’s end.

As part of its multi-year, $1 billion expansion*, the company plans to build:

  • A new 527,000 square-foot body shop
  • Two indoor test tracks
  • More than 100,000 square feet of warehouse space
  • 200,000 additional square feet of assembly space

Last year, BMW set a global sales record of 2.2 million vehicles, with its X models manufactured at the Greer plant contributing mightily to that number. Of the more than 346,000 vehicles the plant produced, the company says sales of the X5 rose 14.1 percent and the X6 by more than 50 percent.

BMW Seeks Skilled Mechatronics Grads

To accommodate such dramatic growth, BMW needs highly-skilled workers to operate the advanced machinery that powers its entire manufacturing process – the production line is completely automated with robots and equipment, all of which must be programmed, monitored, and – when needed – repaired on a continuous basis.

Anticipating the need for additional employees, the company created the BMW Scholars Program several years ago. Working with community colleges, it helps prospective workers obtain the necessary education to begin a career in automotive manufacturing. In order to ascend to higher level positions, however, they must have a bachelor’s degree. That’s why BMW is now working with ECPI University to help its employees earn a degree tailor-made for the automotive industry.

The Intersection of Skills

Manufacturing cars involves three distinct skill areas: Information systems to program, control, and monitor production, electronics, and mechanical systems. ECPI University’s Greenville mechatronics program combines curriculum in computer information systems, and both electronic and mechanical engineering technology.

A Partnership of Promise

Under ECPI University’s partnership with BMW, graduates from Greenville Technical College, Spartanburg Community College, and Tri-County Technical College can transfer their credits and enroll at ECPI University’s Greenville campus to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology with a concentration in Mechatronics.

Of course, you don’t have to work for BMW in order to gain all the benefits ECPI University’s Mechatronics program has to offer. Manufacturing in America – and South Carolina in particular – is on the rise. Michelin North America, Boeing, GE Power & Water, Sealed Air Corp, Lockheed Martin Aircraft, Honeywell, and Mitsubishi Polyester Film are just some of the major manufacturers that employ thousands statewide.

While manufacturing is on the rise, many companies would like to increase production even further, but are having a difficult time finding skilled workers.  Recent reports from the Manufacturing Institute estimate there are about 600,000 unfilled jobs in advanced manufacturing. What we need are more people who will go to school to study mechatronics or electronic and mechanical engineering.

Here’s the problem: Many people continue to maintain a mistaken belief that manufacturing is a dirty, low-paying job. A tour of South Carolina’s BMW plant would certainly change a lot of minds. It looks more like a laboratory than a factory.

Learn Mechatronics at ECPI University

Hopefully as you’re reading this, you are starting to realize that there’s a real opportunity here. Maybe you’d like to learn more? If so, why not contact ECPI University today for more information on earning a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology with a concentration in Mechatronics. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

*http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/money/business/2016/01/11/bmw-volume-surpasses-400000/78632640/

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