The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute today announced the availability of an online resource, www.roboticscareer.org, designed to help address the skilled workforce challenge in U.S. manufacturing. This national capability is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense.
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 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 DoD, and its diverse membership base includes start-ups, robotics suppliers, research universities, community colleges, manufacturers of all sizes, unions, government agencies, workforce development organizations, and more.
According to a recent media report by CNN, the manufacturing industry has more than 500,000 job openings today. U.S. factories are struggling to find both entry-level and skilled workers. A May 2021 study published by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute estimates that as many as 2.1 million manufacturing jobs will be unfilled through 2030 which could ultimately cost the U.S. economy $1 trillion. According to a report from Burning Glass, one of the most in-demand roles is for robotics technicians.
The ARM Institute has been keenly aware of this issue since its formation in early 2017. Leveraging its 300+ member consortium and strategic partners in the Department of Defense, Department of Labor, and Department of Commerce, the Institute has taken a significant step in supporting our nation’s efforts to tackle this issue.
