Motlow State earns manufacturing robotics endorsement

Motlow State Mechatronics student Bethany Millican looks over a textbook in the mechatronics lab at the local community college. Motlow’s ARM Institute Endorsement allows for greater networking and job placement option for local students. (Motlow State Photograph)

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — Motlow State Community College is proud to announce that it has earned ARM Institute Endorsement. ARM Endorsement recognizes programs that prepare students for manufacturing careers working with robotics. Organizations that earn the ARM Institute’s endorsement pass a rigorous assessment process by proving that they provide students the skills needed for a career in manufacturing working with robotics.

Motlow provides mechatronics options including the Mechatronics A.A.S. degree, Mechatronics A.A.S. degree with a concentration in Robotics, or a Mechatronics certificate. This high-wage, high-demand program prepares you for a career in fields such as automotive, power production, manufacturing, robotics, and more.

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 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.

The endorsement criteria are comprehensive, evaluating both organizations and their programs based upon the following benchmarks including relevance to the industry, effective curriculum, efficiency of the training, impact of the program, program sustainability, and transportability.

“ARM’s endorsement of Motlow’s Mechatronics and our Automation and Robotics Training Center (ARTC) is a valuable asset for us,” said Larry Flatt, Executive Director of Automation and Robotics Training at Motlow. “It will provide greater networking opportunities for us across the nation. Additionally, it will be a mechanism to help promote the facilities and resources that are located at our ARTC.”

Motlow conducts training with certified instructors resulting in industry certifications from ABB, FANUC, and Yaskawa/Motoman, as well as leading PLC companies.

“We look forward to growing our partnership with such a prestigious organization and other entities with the same endorsement,” added Flatt.

“We are pleased to recognize 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.”

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. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only locally-owned newspaper in Lynchburg and also the only woman-owned newspaper in Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}