What's the first thought that comes to mind when you hear the word robot? For me, I think of the sci-fi thriller I, Robot. By studying robotics, you'll find it's a much more complex field (and a little less terrifying) than the Will Smith film from 2004.

You may have heard about programs or courses like ours'they're typically called mechatronics'so you'll find mechanical engineering, design, drawing, electrical, says John Tielemans, professor and program coordinator for the robotics and automation, mechanical engineering technology program at Conestoga College.

Students gain lab experience on industrial-scale equipment and not on educational trainers. The problem with training on toys is you don't recognize how dangerous the real one can be, he says. You're best off to practice with the level that you're going to be working with.

Aside from the in-class learning, students participate in a co-op program over three work terms where they acquire industry experience with local employers. They typically start off with the simpler jobs, drawing and helping engineers, and in the second or third work term they're working on automation and designing with the engineers, says Tielemans.

In addition, he says the third-year capstone project is the key course in the program. The projects that they build are actually completed manufacturing work cells and they do this from the ground up, adding that the courses and co-op program enable students to prepare for their major project. The top three proposals are chosen by the class and then they start doing solid design. In May, they start building, and in August, they have a completed presentation.

The Chang School at Ryerson University offers a certificate for mature students in robotics and embedded systems, with a hands-on approach. Students work on projects with real hardware and they get experience that'll help them in the future, says Jimmy Tran, coordinator of the certificate program. They also have the opportunity to show their projects to potential employers. It gives them an edge up compared to someone who just walked in with a piece of paper with their credentials.

One of the biggest challenges with working in automation and robotics is keeping up with the changing technology, says Tielemans, which means the safety regulations are constantly changing to adapt and that's something that we have to train our students to be well aware of.

However, working in such a technical field can be a challenge and reward in itself. The challenge is building something you can actually see that works, says Tran. You'll love your robot when you're finished and it works, but during certain times you're going to want to smash your robot because it's so frustrating and you can't figure out what's wrong with it. Those are the ups and downs of working in this industry.

With the industry exposure through co-op programs and additional learning, students have the opportunity to enter a market with great job demand and high salaries. Some people will go to an automotive company and be a maintenance expert on the robots, others will be an assembly line designer, says Tielemans, adding that the co-op opportunity also develops communication skills. [It] gives the students the ability to interact with people and the employers really appreciate that.

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