Preparing students for successful careers is the goal of the Rogers Public Schools (RPS) Launch Career Programs. Since November 2019, sixty (60) students from RPS have successfully completed the FANUC Robotics Operator Certification Training offered at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Robotics Training Center. Upon completion, the students obtained the FANUC Robotics Operator Certification, attaining a level of knowledge, skill and performance that will prepare them for jobs within many industries that utilize industrial robotics.

Skilled Robotic Operators Needed
Research and employment data indicates a continued upward trend in the demand for skilled robotic operators needed to meet domestic and global industry workforce demands. Advanced technology integration and expansion of automated processes and robotics used in the design, production and distribution of goods produced by industries around the world will be an underlying current that contributes to the increased demand for skilled robotic operators.

Training Program Benefits Students with Valuable Skills
Students participating in the training program will gain valuable knowledge and skills relating to the utilization and operation of industrial robotic equipment that is essential across a broad spectrum of industries including manufacturing, medical, public safety and security, mining, and food production. Josh Watson, NWA FANUC Training Center Instructor, has been instrumental in the tremendous success of each student that has completed the certification program. Watson shared information about specific skills that are taught during the training.

“Students will learn a variety of skills while attending our robotics course,” he said. “These skills include how to execute teach pendant operations; recover from common program and robot faults; monitor, force, and simulate input and output signals; program position register instructions and execute production operations as well as many other specialized skills that will help prepare them for jobs relating to robotics operations used within different types of industries.”

Feedback from the students who have completed the FANUC Robotics Operator training has been very positive, with many of them noting the valuable benefits that the training has provided them in achieving certification that will help them obtain a job following high school graduation. Justin Mounce, a student at Rogers New Technology High School, notes that the training has been integral for his career opportunities.

“It has helped me realize that with their certification [FANUC], I can operate robots for companies such as Walmart or Tyson.”

“Some of my passions include programming, robotics, and artificial intelligence,” said Chris Ceballos, also of Rogers New Technology High School. “Those three are pathways connected that I will pursue as a career. As such, the FANUC Robotics training furthers my knowledge and gives me experience that I need to pursue a career.”

Program Possible Due to Key Local Partnerships
The benefits that the opportunity to attend the FANUC Robotics Operator training has provided sixty RPS students is tremendous and the potential impact that the experience will have on each student and their future career is immeasurable.

“Rogers Public Schools would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Walton Family Foundation, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, Josh Watson and the NorthWest Arkansas Community College for making this opportunity possible for our students” said Dawn Stewart, Director of Career and Technical Education for RPS.

For more information about the Launch Career Programs offered by RPS, as well as the certification and training programs offered through partnerships with local business and industries, contact Stewart at (479) 636-3910.