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These organizations have passed the ARM Institute’s rigorous assessment process by proving that they provide students the skills needed for a career in manufacturing working with robotics. 

September 9, 2021 – Today, the ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute announced that two more educational organizations have been evaluated and selected to receive the ARM Endorsement for academic program excellence in robotics education for manufacturing. The ARM Institute launched its endorsement process earlier this year in conjunction with the launch of RoboticsCareer.org. T

he 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 process used to identify organizations that are the most effective at preparing students for careers in manufacturing working with robotics. The Endorsement program was conceptualized and created through the ARM Institute’s 300+-member national consortium, giving equal voice to the need of manufacturers, education providers, and government stakeholders. The program leverages the ARM Institute’s competency and skills framework that outlines the career options and skills needed for a manufacturing career working with robotics. T

he endorsement criteria are comprehensive, evaluating 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 

The two organizations receiving the ARM Institute Endorsements are:

 1. Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) based in Pittsburgh, PA 

Mechatronics is CCAC’s signature automation systems program where students learn the integrated skills of supply chain, process technology, robotics/ artificial intelligence and electrical systems. In this program, students acquire skills and knowledge in five major areas: computer programming, electrical systems, mechanical systems, robotics and additive manufacturing (3D printing). 

2. The University of Washington based in Seattle, WA 

Both the Mechanical Engineering BS and MS programs allow for Individual projects to be drawn from a wide spectrum of topics, which include mechanical and energy conservation systems, heat transfer, combustion, fluid mechanics, applied mechanics, computational mechanics, computer-aided design and manufacturing, production systems, materials behavior, robotics, controls, vibrations, and applications of mechanical engineering science to a variety of such interdisciplinary fields as bioengineering, ocean engineering, environmental engineering, nanotechnology, micro electro-mechanical systems, and acoustics. Flexible requirements for coursework provide opportunities both for a broad scientific and professional background and for specialty training in robotics. 

“We are pleased to recognize these elite organizations for preparing workers for Industry 4.0 careers,” noted Lisa Masciantonio, ARM Institute Chief Workforce Officer, “Effective training will be key to our nation navigating the mounting skills gap and workforce shortage in manufacturing. Recognizing top-tier programs will help students identify the best training for their desired manufacturing career. The entire ARM Institute congratulates these organizations on earning Endorsement.” 

The ARM Institute endorsed three other programs earlier this year. These programs were the first to earn ARM Endorsement: Horizon Science Academy Columbus High School (HSA), Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), and Wichita State University, Department of Engineering Technology, BS in Program of Engineering Technology – Mechatronics Technology. Endorsed programs are highlighted on RoboticsCareer.org, the ARM Institute’s national capability that connects students and workers with robotics education programs for manufacturing careers.

 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 www.arminstitute.org and follow the ARM Institute on LinkedIn and Twitter.