Bridging the skills gap: Mechatronics skills being gained

June 30, 2026
by Rachel Adkins

A grant from 3M is helping Maysville Community and Technical College expand access to advanced manufacturing education in Kentucky, while creating opportunities for local students to develop in-demand technical skills.

The grant is creating instructional expertise and technological resources by funding instructor training, portable mechatronics equipment, programming software, laptops and scholarships.

Mechatronics combines mechanical systems, electrical systems, automation, sensors, controls, and computer programming, making it a foundational skill for modern manufacturing. 

With the grant, a portable MecLab system has been purchased, consisting of three training stations. These include a conveyor station, stack magazine station, and handling station. 

The system also includes industrial-grade components, portable storage units, programming interfaces, and more. 

Students will work closely with the equipment that closely mirrors real-world automation systems, allowing them to get an idea of what their career will entail.

At Harrison County Area Technical Center (ATC), Christina Combs, an instructor, completed grant-supported professional development and uses grant-funded equipment to teach industrial maintenance. 

By equipping both instructors and students with new resources, the grant has already begun producing measurable results, with a group of Harrison County ATC students training on equipment purchased through the grant.

Two students, Brayden Little and Tanner Edwards, earned first-place honors in a statewide competition using the skills learned through the training provided. Both students were also recognized as winners during MCTC’s 2026 Trade Wars competition.

In addition to student and workforce training, the portable equipment allows MCTC Workforce Solutions to deliver customized training opportunities for local employers and their employees, further strengthening regional workforce development efforts.

Building on this success, MCTC Workforce Solutions and Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) will launch a new energy training program on the Maysville Campus this fall. 

The 16-week program will prepare individuals for careers in the energy sector, including nuclear energy outage work and power plant operations. Participants will develop workplace safety skills and earn an OSHA 10 certification. They will also learn PLCs and automation, blueprint reading, mechanical systems, fluid power, and durable workplace skills such as teamwork and communication. 

The program is expected to use the portable mechatronics labs and software purchased through the 3M grant as part of the PLC and automation training, extending the impact beyond secondary education and into workforce development. 

Eligible participants living in SOAR or TENCO counties may qualify to have training costs covered, while SOAR will also assist participants with job placement opportunities through hiring events and the Eastern Kentucky Talent Network.

For more information or to inquire about training for your company, contact Sierra O’Cull at sierra.ocull@kctcs.edu or 606-301-6152.