Texas Southmost College was proud to welcome students from Porter Early College High School to the IMMT 2025 Minicamp, held across several days stretching across March 24, 25, 26, 31, and April 1–2.
Hosted by the Industrial Maintenance and Mechatronics Technology (IMMT) Program, this exciting initiative gave the dual enrollment (DE) students a chance to step into the lab and experience hand-on work with real-world technology. Under the guidance of knowledgeable faculty and industry experts, the students focused specifically on learning Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming, which is an essential skill in modern industrial automation.
PLCs are computerized systems used to control machinery and processes across industries like manufacturing, energy, and transportation, making them critical to efficient and safe operations. Some of the many modern industries which make use of PLCs include steel manufacturing, automotive production, chemical processing, energy sectors, and water and wastewater treatment.
Led by IMMT Program Coordinator and Professor Juan Rivera, the minicamp offered students a comprehensive experience where they explored the latest advancements in industrial automation, gained foundational skills in PLC programming, collaborated with their peers in a lab environment, and received one-on-one guidance from seasoned professionals.
“This minicamp is a gateway for our dual enrollment students to discover the exciting world of automation and industrial technology,” said Rivera. “We want to give them real exposure to the skills and tools used in industry today—because they are the future workforce.”
This immersive experience not only deepened students’ technical knowledge but also inspired confidence and curiosity about careers in engineering, automation, and advanced manufacturing. Many of these fields are in need of high skilled workers, and these students now have a better understanding of the potential career pathways and opportunities that are available to them in the field of industrial mechanics
A huge thank you goes out to our faculty, staff, and partners at Porter ECHS for making this incredible partnership possible. At Texas Southmost College, we remain committed to creating early college experiences that empower students and prepare them for success beyond high school.
IMMT
IMMT
