The WorkSITE Launches Rockwell Automation Academy of Advanced Manufacturing
WACO, TX – October 22, 2026 –Central Texas manufacturers now have a local path to building in-house Rockwell Automation® expertise. Texas State Technical College’s (TSTC) The WorkSITE of Waco has partnered with Rockwell Automation to offer the Academy of Advanced Manufacturing (AAM), an 8-week program that turns engineers and technicians into credentialed controls experts for their facilities.
With AAM at The WorkSITE, this level of training is now close to home, delivered by TSTC instructors using Rockwell Automation's proven curriculum.
What is the WorkSITE?
A 30,000 sq.ft. industry-aligned training facility that was created through the collaborative efforts of TSTC in Waco, McLennan County, and the City of Waco.
The WorkSITE helps individuals and employers build practical, job-ready skills through hands-on training in production and manufacturing, SACA industrial automation credentials, OSHA 10, OSHA 30, and forklift operation.
What is the Academy of Advanced Manufacturing?
AAM is a Rockwell Automation program built around 320 hours of technical education, validated through SACA (Smart Automation Certification Alliance) credentials and almost 10 years of delivery. The goal is simple: a credentialed, job-ready controls technician capable of supporting modern and legacy automated manufacturing environments.
The WorkSITE’s AAM program will run on a two-weeks-on, two-weeks-off schedule for a total eight weeks of training. That format lets upskilling employees step away for focused training, then return to their facility to apply what they learned between sessions.
TSTC instructors will guide students through the AAM curriculum. Courses will take place in classrooms and training labs outfitted with industry-grade equipment to give students hands-on work experience.
What will students learn?
The curriculum covers four pillars, each tied to industry-recognized SACA credentials.
Pillar 1:
Electrical & Automation Fundamentals
Key Topics:
Electrical systems,
print reading and
ladder logic,
industrial safety (LOTO/NFPA 70E),
field devices and I/O systems, automation fundamentals
SACA Credentials:
C-201 Electrical Systems
Pillar 2:
Controls Programming & Troubleshooting
Key Topics:
Controller configuration, Studio 5000® development, system diagnostics, troubleshooting methodologies
SACA Credentials:
C-207 PLC Troubleshooting 1, C-208 PLC Systems 1, C-309 PLC Systems 2, C-359 PLC Systems 3
Pillar 3:
Controls
Architecture
Key Topics:
Industrial Ethernet,
network troubleshooting, HMI/visualization systems, FactoryTalk®
technologies,
instrumentation and
process control
SACA Credentials:
C-212 Ethernet Communications 1
Pillar 4:
Motors and Controls
Key Topics:
Motor control systems, variable frequency drives, commissioning and startup, maintenance and repair, equipment optimization
SACA Credentials:
C-202 Electric Motor Control, C-204 Motor Control Troubleshooting, C-203 VFD 1
Those pillars are delivered through eight hands-on courses:
- Industrial Automation Principles – Core terminology, I/O components, electrical theory, wiring diagrams, and circuit wiring for field devices.
- Motor Control – Systematic troubleshooting of motor control systems through practical exercise scenarios.
- Introduction to Controllers – Basic controller and ladder logic tasks in Studio 5000 and Logix 5000®, including creating a project and communicating with a controller.
- Troubleshooting PLCs – Restoring a failed control system by diagnosing controllers, I/O modules, faulty field devices, and electrical noise.
- Industrial Ethernet – Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) networking, industrial Ethernet, diagnostic data, and basic troubleshooting.
- HMI/EOI Maintenance – Electronic operator interfaces using FactoryTalk® View Studio, FactoryTalk® View ME Station, and FactoryTalk® Linx.
- AC Drives – Safely commissioning, troubleshooting, and replacing VFDs using the HIM and Connected Components Workbench™.
- Instrumentation – P&IDs, wiring, and how instruments communicate across level, flow, pressure, and temperature.
How do I Apply?
Potential students will fill out an application. Once your application has been accepted, students will register with their assigned Business Relationship Manager from The WorkSITE. Employees will need to coordinate their travel and board with the company that is sending them through the program.
A seat in the AAM program is $20,000. This payment provides students with the following:
- Rockwell Automation Student Toolkit
- Learning+ subscription
- Hands-on training (instructor, lab, and classroom materials)
Automation keeps getting more sophisticated, and the people who can program, troubleshoot, and maintain it are in high demand. Every hour a line sits down waiting on outside support costs money. Having a credentialed Rockwell Automation expert on site means faster troubleshooting, less downtime, and more confidence in commissioning new equipment.
Reserve My seat
As a Rockwell Automation distributor, The Reynolds Company works alongside Central Texas manufacturers every day. We're supporting AAM at The WorkSITE to ensure that local facilities in our region are ready to meet the future demands for industrial automation.
To learn more or reserve a seat, contact your account manager with The Reynolds Company. Those interested in applying can also submit their information to The Reynolds Company's Business Development Manager for Rockwell Automation Product Specialists, Brad Freeman, by filling out the form below.