Elevating Automation Through Education

Curious about how today's classrooms can inspire tomorrow's innovators??

In our latest ReAutomated podcast episode, our host Christopher Savoia explores the future of workforce development with industry experts Ted Rozier of Festo Didactic and Stephanie Kobayashi of Universal Robots .???

Ted and Stephanie share their insights on the challenges and opportunities of educating the next generation of robotics professionals, highlighting how robotics education and the power of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) can bridge the manufacturing skills gap.?

Curious about how education, technology and industry needs are reshaping the automation landscape? Tune in or read on for the key takeaways!?

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Key takeaways from our conversation with Ted Rozier and Stephanie Kobayashi:?

Navigating Industry 4.0 in Education?

For Ted, one of the biggest hurdles to implementing advanced technologies in an educational environment is helping students understand the interconnected layers of modern automation, including cyber-physical platforms and manufacturing execution systems (MES). This approach prepares students to consider not only technical troubleshooting, but also broader manufacturing goals, such as throughput, that matter to the C-suite.?

The importance of modularity in training programs?

Stephanie highlights the need for modular training solutions that can quickly adapt to changes in industry demand. Festo Didactic meets this challenge by providing industry-aligned training pathways that highlight the relevance of robotics skills in sectors such as automotive, agriculture, and battery manufacturing, where talent is urgently needed.??

The role of STEAM in building core skills at an early age?

Stephanie and Chris Savoia discuss the transformative power of STEAM in education. By introducing robotics to students in primary and secondary schools, students develop a foundation of mechanical, electrical and programming skills, making them more confident and capable when they enter higher-level robotics education. This multidisciplinary approach aims to create a workforce with both creative and technical skills.?

Adapting to new tools and technologies?

Emerging tools such as augmented reality are critical to Ted's vision of education. He compares AR to "an Ethernet cable plugged into a human being", providing a rich data experience that can accelerate the education process. By combining hands-on skills with digital resources, students and professionals alike will be better prepared to enter diverse industries.

Tackling the skills gap through specific and applied training?

Looking to the future, Stephanie stresses the importance of application-specific training, which ensures that students graduate with skills relevant to real-world manufacturing needs. This hands-on approach bridges the gap between general education and the precise skills required for specialized jobs, from troubleshooting robotics to understanding the intricacies of automation in industries such as semiconductors.?

Want to dive deeper???

Listen to the full episode and subscribe to the “ReAutomated” podcast for more insights on how we can work together to shape the future of automation and manufacturing.?

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?? YouTube: https://youtu.be/H8duKzc3yeY

?? Apple: https://bit.ly/reautomated-apple?

?? Spotify: https://bit.ly/reautomated-spotify?

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Stay tuned for more episodes!?