BENTON HARBOR — Lake Michigan College is offering a fast-track Automation Engineering Pre-Apprentice Academy this summer at its new Hanson Technology Center.

The academy packs one semester’s worth of classroom and hands-on lab time into just seven weeks. Students will earn 14 college credits in engineering design and graphics, advanced cad techniques, industrial safety, introduction to robotics, and blueprint reading and sketching.

Graduates will earn 270 hours of instructional training toward a registered apprenticeship and gain the basic knowledge and skills to launch successful careers in the Automation Engineering field.

The academy runs June 25 to Aug. 10. The schedule is 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the Hanson Technology Center on Lake Michigan College’s Benton Harbor Campus at 2755 East Napier Ave.                                             

Registration deadline is June 21. To register or to learn more contact Dr. Ken Flowers at (269) 927-4103 or flowers@lakemichigancollege.edu. Enrollment is limited to 15 students. Tools will be provided.

The Hanson Technology Center opened in 2016 on Lake Michigan College’s Benton Harbor Campus. The ultra-modern space seeks to attract and educate future generations of southwest Michigan makers to study engineering, mechatronics, energy production, machine tool, skilled trades and welding.

The state of the art facility includes a simulation classroom and robotics, CNC and welding labs. A Fab Lab is open to students and community members to invent and create everything imaginable on 3-D and laser printers, textile machinery and wood working tools. Learn more at lakemichgiancollege.edu/technology.