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ARM Institute Endorses Three More Robotics Education Training Programs

The ARM Institute Endorsement process identifies the nation’s best training programs for robotics careers in manufacturing.

June 21, 2022 – The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute is pleased to announce that three more robotics training programs have been evaluated and selected to receive ARM Endorsement:

• The FANUC Handling Tool Operations & Programming course offered by the National Center for Urban Solutions (NCUS) Tec
• The Associate of Applied Science degree program in Robotics offered by the Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC)
• The Associate of Applied Science degree program in Mechatronics offered by Motlow State Community College

The ARM Endorsement Program was launched in 2021 in conjunction with RoboticsCareer.org, the ARM Institute’s national workforce capability that connects robotics education seekers with training for manufacturing careers.

The ARM Institute is the nation’s leading collaborative in robotics and workforce innovation, working at the confluence of industry, government, and academia. Structured as a public-private partnership, the ARM Institute and its 300+ member organizations catalyze robotic technologies and education solutions to strengthen the U.S. industrial base and secure U.S. manufacturing resiliency. The institute is sponsored by the Department of Defense, and its diverse membership base includes start-ups, research universities, community colleges, manufacturers of all sizes, government agencies, workforce development organizations, and more.

The ARM Endorsement Program is a thorough audit used to highlight organizations that are the most effective at preparing students for careers in manufacturing working with robotics. This program was conceptualized and created through the ARM Institute’s 340+ member national consortium, giving equal voice to the need of manufacturers, education providers, and government stakeholders.

The criteria used to evaluate programs aligns with the ARM Institute’s robotics career pathways and competencies and evaluate both organizations and their programs based upon the following benchmarks:

• Relevance to the Industry
• Effective Curriculum
• Efficiency of the Training
• Impact of the Program
• Program Sustainability
• Transportability

To reflect the importance of a diverse robotics education ecosystem, programs of all formats can apply for ARM Endorsement, from high schools and programs from robot suppliers to community colleges and traditional universities.

Each of our newly endorsed programs exceeded our evaluation criteria. Learn more about each program below and on RoboticsCareer.org:

FANUC Handling Tool Operations & Programming Course - Upon completion of this course, NCUS Tec students receive an industry-recognized FANUC certification in Handling Tool Operations and Programming.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree Program in Robotics – In addition to earning an AAS degree from Westmoreland County Community College, students can take advantage of internship opportunities designed to pair students with a local employer for additional on-the-job experience and networking.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree Program in Mechatronics – The Associate of Applied Science degree program in Mechatronics offered by Motlow State Community College includes an optional path of study with a concentration in Robotics. Students who follow this path substitute five robotics classes for the standard sophomore level mechatronics classes.

“The entire ARM Team congratulates our newly endorsed programs,” stated Lisa Masciantonio, ARM Institute Chief Workforce Officer, “The diversity of our Endorsed programs reflects the ample education and training opportunities that exist for manufacturing careers working with robotics. When education seekers and employers seeking programs to upskill their workforce see the ARM Endorsement badge, they can be assured that the program meets the highest education standards set by the robotics industry.”

Since introducing the Endorsement Program, the ARM Institute has endorsed twelve programs in addition to those mentioned in this press release. These programs are provided by the following organizations: Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, Clover Park Technical College, Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Horizon Science Academy Columbus High School (HSA), the Fortress Academy, NC3 (National Coalition of Certification Centers), the University of Maryland, the University of Washington, Universal Robots, Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), and Wichita State University, Department of Engineering Technology.

Endorsed programs are highlighted on RoboticsCareer.org, the ARM Institute’s national workforce capability that connects robotics education seekers with training programs aligned with the Institute’s defined robotics career pathways. Today, RoboticsCareer.org has more than 14,000 programs from across the United States and U.S territories. It includes programs ranging from high school STEM and micro-credentials through PhD degrees, delivered onsite, online or in hybrid formats.

Learn more about each of our Endorsed Programs in the infographic below:

ABOUT THE ARM INSTITUTE

The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute is a Manufacturing USA® Institute sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense under Agreement Number W911NF-17-3-0004. The ARM Institute leverages a unique, robust, and diverse ecosystem of consortium members and partners across industry, academia, and government to make robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers large and small, train and empower the manufacturing workforce, strengthen our economy and global competitiveness, and elevate national security and resilience.  Based in Pittsburgh, PA since 2017, the ARM Institute is leading the way to a future where people & robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to produce the world’s most desired products. For more information, visit http://www.arminstitute.org and follow the ARM Institute on LinkedIn and Twitter.