Oakland University's SECS offers programs to give technical professionals an extra edge

Rochester, Mich. -- In order to give highly educated and skilled professionals every advantage in finding or keeping positions in their field, Oakland University's School of Engineering and Computer Science has created nine certificate programs designed to ensure that enrollees are versed in the latest industry developments. Officials say that this, coupled with years or even decades of experience they've acquired, will help put workers in greater demand.

Bhushan Bhatt, SECS associate dean and professor of engineering, said the certificate programs were developed with the needs of recently displaced professionals in mind. He noted that OU recognizes that in today's economic climate, technical professionals need more to bolster their job searches than freshly polished resumes and enhanced interview skills.

"This is an attempt on our part to help people," Bhatt said. "We wanted to do something better for them, something cogent."

The result is a series of educational offerings divided into two categories -- skills rebuilding programs for computer scientists and computer, mechanical and robotics engineers; and professional development programs for professionals working in embedded systems, mechatronics, and mechanical and industrial engineering.

Completion of the programs involves up to 120 hours of instruction, and credits earned in the professional development programs can be applied toward related graduate degree programs if enrollees choose to pursue further education.

Good news for unemployed technical professionals is that all certificate programs the SECS offers are now in the process of being approved for state tuition assistance through the Michigan Works program. Bhatt said he and other program developers hope this will provide an opportunity for displaced workers to take advantage of Oakland University's efforts to help get them back on the job.

To learn more about the SECS certificate programs, visit http://www2.oakland.edu/secs/ or call (248) 370-2233 or (248) 370-2217. For more information about the Michigan Works program at Oakland University, visit www.oakland.edu/michiganworks.