MARIETTA— Washington State College of Ohio has earned an ARM Endorsement from the ARM Institute. This credential positions the college among the nation’s most effective training programs for robotics careers in manufacturing and is one of only 14 programs in the country to have received the endorsement.
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 nearly 400-member organizations lead the way to a future where people and robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to develop and produce the world’s most desired products.
WSCO’s AMIT instructor Jared Voldness explained that the validation provided by the ARM Endorsement will support the institution’s Advanced Manufacturing and Integration Technology (AMIT) program curriculum, and equipment, which will allow it to fully support the needs of local industry community partners.
“Having a third-party accreditation ensures we have the best possible program that suits the needs of our local manufacturers and makes our graduates more employable,” said Voldness. “Ultimately, it aligns with the college’s mission to offer relevant career-focused degrees and certificates that maximize opportunities for students to achieve family-sustaining careers,” he added.
The ARM Institute evaluated the college and its program to ensure it aligned with the institute’s robotics career pathways and competencies. “The program’s facilities and teaching staff are exceptional. Access to modern and up-to-date equipment is crucial for students interested in robotics education,” said Brian Wilson, ARM Endorsement Auditor.
He went on to say that “WSCO’s classrooms and labs are fantastic, and the program’s curriculum is very hands-on, incorporating essential skillsets such as teamwork and critical thinking.”
“In addition, the program exposes students to unique and in-demand areas like cybersecurity and chemical operator. The staff and instructors are passionate, knowledgeable, and actively engaged with the industry to stay current with emerging technologies and career opportunities available to graduates. The WSCO Advanced Manufacturing and Integration Technology program should be of interest to anyone seeking a career in the robotics or automation field,” concluded Wilson.
The criteria used to evaluate WSCO’s program were based upon the following benchmarks: Relevance to the Industry, Effective Curriculum, Efficiency of the Training, Impact of the Program, Program Sustainability, and Transportability.
“The ARM Institute Team congratulates these organizations on earning ARM Endorsement,” said Mary Ellen Rich, ARM Institute Certification Manager, “Effective training is critical to securing U.S manufacturing resiliency and addressing the manufacturing skills gap.”
The ARM Endorsement Program is a thorough evaluation process that identifies organizations that are the most effective at preparing students for careers in manufacturing working with robotics. With more than 16,700 training programs listed on RoboticsCareer.org, this guidance is critical to helping students, workers, and employers looking to upskill their workforce find the best match for their needs.
