Thirteen Tesla employees were recognized for their achievements in Manufacturing Technician and Mechatronics Foundation training at Western Nevada College. The certification ceremony took place on December 12 at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Technology. These individuals completed an intensive program equivalent to 25 credits over a 16-week period, effectively achieving a year's worth of education in one semester.
The participants of the Tesla Start program included Nestor Aguirre Alba, Christopher Bacon, Aidan Crossman, Hans Hammar, Antonio Ibarra, Clayton Macias, Justin Mckenzie, Jesus Nunez-Castellon, Daniel Tapia, Michael Torbitt, Acer Valdez, Vishal Vasistha, and Juan Duprey. They earned certifications from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance during the ceremony.
Each student achieved various certifications:
- Aguirre Alba obtained SACA Electrical Systems and SACA Basic.
- Bacon earned SACA Motor Control, SACA Basic, and SACA Advanced.
- Crossman and Hammar both received SACA Electrical Systems and SACA Basic.
- Ibarra acquired SACA Basic.
- Macias and Mckenzie also achieved SACA Basic.
- Nunez-Castellon excelled with certifications in SACA Electrical Systems, SACRA PLC1, SACA Electrical Installation, SACA Basic, and SACA Advanced.
- Tapia was awarded certifications in SACA Electrical Systems, SACA Pneumatics, and SACA Basic.
Jesus Nunez-Castellon led his class by securing the most certifications.
Further accomplishments included Torbitt's attainment of SACA Electrical Systems and SACA Basic; Valdez with certifications in SACA Electrical Systems, Mechanical Power, and Basic; Vasistha's achievement in Electrical Systems and Basic; while Duprey secured a certification in Basic.
For more information about WNC’s Advanced Manufacturing program or upcoming classes for the spring semester contact Matthew Anderson at 775-445-3292 or email matthew.anderson@wnc.edu.