Workforce Partnerships Opportunity to co-create customized automation training labs for Bakersfield’s regional employers, aligning the program with industry needs from Chevron and Aera to Target, Nestlé, and GAF. Offer turnkey lab setups and hands-on projects using industry hardware such as Allen-Bradley PLCs, HMIs, sensors, and robotics, supported by instructor training and ongoing upskilling programs. This can position BC Industrial Automation as a supplier of both talent and training infrastructure, creating recurring revenue through equipment leasing, maintenance, and certification programs.

Lab Equipment Sales Propose direct lab equipment and maintenance packages to support the Industrial Automation program, including hardware like PLCs, HMIs, panels, test benches, and replacement parts. Provide bundled lab kits aligned to project-based learning, plus hardware support contracts, warranty extensions, and on-site or remote technical assistance. There is potential to partner with local manufacturers for sponsored labs and to scale equipment purchases as enrollments grow.

Data and Analytics Leverage the existing tech stack—Jenkins, Elasticsearch, D3.js, DataTables, and AWS VPC—to offer data integration, dashboards, and analytics services for manufacturing processes. Provide software licensing, OT-IT integration consulting, training on HMI/SCADA data visualization, and CI/CD workflow setup to accelerate automation projects in the labs.

OT Security Capitalize on the AWS VPC and privacy tooling by offering OT security assessments, network segmentation, and secure remote access for instructors and students. Propose cloud-hosted lab environments, hardened images, and ongoing monitoring or managed security services to protect automation workloads.

Funding Partnerships Align with BC IA’s goal of adapting labs to local workforce needs by pursuing co-funded programs, sponsored labs, and apprenticeship models. Explore government workforce development grants and private sponsorships, as well as co-branded certification tracks, to expand impact while creating sustainable revenue streams for both parties.