Automation & Controls Technician Trainee — Veterans Cohort

A day in the Academy of Advanced Manufacturing Wake up at the Cambria Hotel in downtown Milwaukee, grab breakfast, and meet your cohort in the lobby. The shuttle rolls out for Rockwell Automation’s Global Headquarters. By 8:00 AM, you’re on the lab floor, powering up industrial controllers, tracing signals through HMIs, and stepping through structured scenarios that mirror real production issues.

After a one‑hour lunch, you dive back into hands‑on troubleshooting, refine PLC logic from earlier lessons, and run software-based exercises that sharpen diagnostic thinking. By 5:00 PM, you’ve built more confidence, checked off another module, and logged experience that translates directly to high‑demand roles with our manufacturing partners.

About the Program The Academy of Advanced Manufacturing (AAM) is an in‑residence technical training experience built for U.S. military veterans and transitioning service members. Through a powerful blend of classroom instruction and extensive lab practice, you’ll develop automation, instrumentation, and controls capabilities that modern manufacturers rely on to keep operations running.

Beyond training, AAM integrates a hiring pathway—connecting you with program‑affiliated manufacturing companies for full‑time roles aligned to what you learn.

Program Snapshot Program Cost: 100% free to U.S. Military Veterans and transitioning Service Members Housing:
Cambria Hotel (Downtown Milwaukee)
Transportation:
Shuttle service to/from training Monday–Friday Training Site:
Rockwell Automation Global Headquarters, Milwaukee, WI Duration: 11 weeks

Training Wage: $12/hour

Schedule:

Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (includes a one‑hour lunch)
Learning Mix: ~70% hands‑on lab work with scenario‑based exercises, ~30% classroom fundamentals

What You’ll Learn Coursework is organized into focused modules that build system awareness and troubleshooting ability:

Industrial Automation Principles Logix Foundation Logix TroubleshootingEOI Maintenance Industrial Controls Network Instrumentation Motor  Control Variable Frequency Drives Tools and Technology You’ll Use Basic hand and electrical tools (wiring tools, multimeters, etc.)Industrial controllers

Human‑machine interfaces (HMIs)
Low‑voltage motors

Variable frequency drives (VFDs)
Instrumentation devices

Industrial networking equipment

Company‑issued computer preloaded with training software

How You’ll Train Arrive prepared and on time each day.

Attend all lessons, labs, coaching sessions, and evaluations.

Complete exercises, labs, projects, and written/practical assessments.

Follow safety procedures for both housing and training environments.

Engage in individual and team‑based problem solving.

Show steady effort and growth in technical competency.

Physical Requirements Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during classroom and lab work.

Ability to work with small components, tools, and test instruments.

Must be able to lift 50 lbs throughout the day.

Basic QualificationsU.S. military veteran or transitioning service member in favorable standing or with an Honorable/General under Honorable Conditions discharge

Provide a DD‑214 to verify service and discharge status

Willing and able to relocate anywhere in the U.S. for job placement with program‑affiliated manufacturing partners

Possess technical experience from military service or a civilian career

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with 3‑phase power

Industrial electrical background with medium to high voltage (typically 208v, 240v, 277v, 480v, and above)
Industrial systems/equipment troubleshooting and maintenance experience

Strong written and verbal communication

Demonstrated aptitude for learning new technical concepts

Solid computer skills

Proficiencies That Will Help You SucceedPLC Troubleshooting Skills Equipment Troubleshooting Electrical Troubleshooting Skills Mechanical Troubleshooting SkillsPCB Assembly (Printed Circuit Board Assembly)120/208/240/480 Voltage SystemsCNC Programming Electrical Installation Electrical TroubleshootingPLC Programming ExperiencePLC Wiring Experience Electrical / Electronic SystemsHVAC TroubleshootingCNC Machine Setup & Changeover Electrical Panel Installation Electrical Schematic Reading Basic Computer Skills Graduate with real‑world skills and a direct line to full‑time roles that leverage automation, instrumentation, and controls—closing critical workforce gaps across U.S. manufacturing.