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If you're a manufacturer struggling to find workers for your robotic systems, you're not alone. A report by the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte found that we're on trend to leave more than 2 million manufacturing jobs open due to a lack of trained workers.

At The ARM Institute, we're working hard to address this shortage by providing resources to potential robotics students to help them find their path to a career in the field. We also work to make employers aware of the diverse ways they can upskill their current workers into robotics roles. 

A unique way in which we help manufacturers is by outlining exactly what skills their workers will need for standard robotics positions in manufacturing. Below, we'll lay out some of what we consider to be the essential skills that any robotics worker should possess. You'll find that you probably already have people working for you who possess these skills and who could be considered for upskilling. 

The Essential Skills for Robotics Workers in Manufacturing

In robotics, there are various technical skills that need to be learned. However, those technical skills need to have a foundation of essential skills to be built upon. These foundational skills aren't necessarily taught in an educational environment, but are often developed via experience. 

For instance, you'll want somebody who has a capacity for critical thinking and problem solving. When working with robots, it's inevitable that issues will crop up. You need somebody who can quickly assess a situation, identify the problem, and work towards a solution. This requires being able to think on your feet and outside of the box. 

Another essential skill is adaptability. In manufacturing, change is constant. Whether it's a new product, a new process, or a new customer requirement, something is always going to change. And that means your robotics workers need to be able to adapt quickly. They need to be able to take the changes in stride and adjust their work accordingly. 

Of course, no matter how adaptable or how good at problem solving your robotics workers are, they're not going to be able to do their jobs effectively if they don't have good communication skills. After all, they'll need to be able to communicate with their co-workers, their supervisors, and even the robots themselves via a control interface. They need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely in order to get their point across and ensure that everybody is on the same page. 

Below is the full list of what we at The ARM Institute have determined to be the essential skills for any robotics worker: 

Active Listening

Adaptability

Attention to Detail

Communication

Conflict Resolution

Critical Thinking

Time Management

Work Ethic

Interpersonal Skills

Leadership

Problem Solving

Teaming

Technical Learning Ability

Technology Aptitude

Chances are good that you already have people at your manufacturing company who possess these skills. You might consider upskilling those people to fill your robotics positions. 

Technical Skills for Robotics

Depending on the specific position you're hiring for, robotics workers also need a set of technical skills. Of course, entry-level robotics technician positions are going to require a different set of skills from mid-or-high level positions, but there is some overlap. 

For instance, a robotics technician will be working hands-on with the robots on the manufacturing floor. They'll need to know how to perform maintenance and troubleshooting for the robots,  as well as how to program them. They'll also need to be familiar with the various software applications that are used to control the robots. 

If you're looking for a mid-level robotics engineer, or a robotics specialist, you'll want somebody who has a strong understanding of robotics systems. They'll need to know advanced robot programming, installation concepts, and safety-risk assessment, as they'll be the ones implementing new robotics technology into your robotics system when opportunity arises. 

The highest level of robotics competency in manufacturing, the robotics integrator, is going to be responsible for the design and development of new robotics applications and systems.  They'll need to have an in-depth knowledge of not just robotics, but also mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and even computer science. This is somebody who will be responsible for truly innovating your manufacturing process and taking it to the next level with their robotics expertise. 

No matter what position you're hiring for, it's important that your robotics workers have the skills and knowledge necessary to do their jobs effectively. With the right team in place, your manufacturing company will be able to reap all the benefits that robotics has to offer.

You can see the full breakdown of what we consider to be the standard for required technical skills by position here. 

We Can Help You Find Robotics Training and Education Programs for Your Employees

If you're interested in upskilling your people into robotics workers, but you're not quite sure where to look for programs that can help you do that, then you're in luck. You can use the search tool right here on RoboticsCareer.org to locate robotics training programs near your facilities, making it easier for you and your employees to get started with upskilling. 

You can also use a filter on the search tool to find just the Endorsed Programs. These programs have been thoroughly vetted and proved to provide the skills you’re looking for. 

So what are you waiting for? Take your manufacturing process to the next level with a team of robotics workers who have the skills and knowledge necessary to help you succeed.