FANUC America Works to Address Shortage of Robotics and Automation Operators
FANUC America Corp. (Rochester Hills, MI) and the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) have aligned to co-market the stackability of their respective industry-recognized certifications.
Posted: August 30, 2021
The MSSC is a long-established U.S. organization in certifying front-line production technicians with foundational skills in advanced manufacturing and logistics.
Both organizations offer their certification assessments through NOCTI/Nocti Business Solutions (NBS), the leader in industry-developed and recognized certification assessments that follow international standards for personnel certification (ISO 17024). NOCTI/NBS have developed and validated the end-of-course assessments for both FANUC and MSSC to certify their technicians. This partnership creates a streamlined approach for schools and industry partners when administering the certifications.
FANUC offers Industry 4.0 Connected Smart Manufacturing ™ occupational paths and stackable certifications beginning with the FANUC-certified robot operator (FCR-O1 and FCR-O2) to develop entry-level skills for careers in robotics and automation. The objective is to align students and job seekers on a path to become advanced automation operators, technicians, systems integration specialists, or engineers.
According to FANUC, the U.S. supply chain is confronting a severe shortage of entry-level operator job applicants with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to perform complex operator tasks. In addition, the accelerated use of emerging digital technologies in manufacturing is making it even more difficult to fill the skills gap.
MSSC has recently upgraded its signature certified production technician (CPT) program for entry-level front-line production technicians to add a fundamental understanding of Industry 4.0 technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, 3D (additive), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), data analytics, autonomous robots, augmented reality, nano-manufacturing, and advanced materials.
Dr. Katherine Manley, an expert in industrial assessments, recently reviewed FANUC’s FCR-O1 and FCR-O2 and MSSC’s CPT and found a high level of complementary synergies between the two industry certification programs. MSSC offers the added benefit of a nationwide delivery system of some 2,900 MSSC-trained instructors; of 1,900 MSSC-qualified test sites—mostly at high schools and community colleges—and of 72 technical field reps, in all 50 states.
“The collaboration between FANUC and MSSC will provide a major benefit to employers looking to fill Industry 4.0 robotics and CNC technical positions,” said Paul Aiello, executive director of education at FANUC America. “The manufacturing industry in the U.S. is facing a growing shortage of higher-skilled technicians vitally needed at the operator level. We look forward to incorporating the highly regarded MSSC foundational CPT certification programs into our robotics and CNC operator training pathways, and will encourage our customers to use the CPT certifications as part of their employee training.”
“Given the close fit between these FANUC and MSSC certifications, we will encourage our entire nationwide network to use both to prepare individuals to build a robust pipeline of world-class robotics operators,” said Neil Reddy, CEO of MSSC. “The digital transformation of manufacturing globally requires the U.S. to build a highly competitive, next-generation frontline workforce capable of keeping pace with technological change.”
