Paul Aiello, executive director of education at FANUC America. Photo © FANUC
FANUC America launches an initiative to address the growing need for skilled professionals in advanced manufacturing and automation. The company has established the FANUC Automation Endowed Scholarship Fund in collaboration with the SME Education Foundation to empower the next generation of the manufacturing industry.
The following is a conversation with Paul Aiello, executive director of education at FANUC America, discussing the scholarship fund, its goals, and the broader efforts of FANUC to support education and workforce development in the automation industry.
Photo © FANUC
What led to the development of the scholarship program?
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FANUC has been partnering with schools for 15 years, driven initially by the challenges of the Great Recession of 2008. The manufacturing industry faced significant workforce displacement, and as it began to rebound, customers consistently highlighted the need for a local talent pipeline. FANUC realized that its training organization, which trains 7,000-8,000 customer employees annually, was insufficient to meet the broader demand.
To address this, FANUC started working with schools to develop training programs that were aligned with industry requirements. This involved upgrading outdated educational tools and ensuring alignment between what students learned in school and what employers needed in the workplace.
How did FANUC collaborate with schools to ensure the alignment of education with industry needs?
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FANUC identified that many schools were using outdated equipment or tools that did not align with industry needs. To bridge this gap, FANUC partnered with schools to provide the latest robotics and CNC technology.
Beyond providing the technology, FANUC offered free instructor training and certification to ensure teachers were fully prepared and provided an industry-standard curriculum, identical to what FANUC used to train customer employees, ensuring students were well-prepared for industry jobs.
This approach assured employers that students graduating from these programs understood and could operate the latest technologies. FANUC started with about 30 schools and has since expanded to over 1,600 schools across North America.
How did FANUC grow its partnerships with schools, and what strategies were used to engage students at the secondary education level?
To attract more students to manufacturing and automation careers, FANUC began focusing on secondary education by introducing real industrial robotics and automation systems into high school programs. This gave students hands-on exposure to advanced technologies, helping them understand how these tools are used in the real world.
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FANUC emphasizes creating experiences, as these significantly influence career decisions. We found that exposing students to these technologies early helped spark interest in automation and robotics careers, providing a clearer pathway for them to explore technical education further.
What barriers did FANUC identify for such students?
One of the main barriers FANUC identified was the cost of tuition and technical programs. To address this, FANUC created a scholarship to make education more accessible. The focus was supporting students pursuing one-year certification or two-year degree programs in robotics and automation. This approach aimed to address the talent gap in technical skills, which customers identified as their biggest challenge. It also provides a stepping stone for students pursuing advanced or four-year degrees.
Why did FANUC partner with the SME Education Foundation, and what was the goal of this collaboration?
FANUC decided to collaborate with the SME Education Foundation due to its expertise in philanthropy and scholarship management. This partnership aligned well with FANUC’s objectives and ensured a broader impact.
FANUC aimed to move beyond supporting a single student and instead impact the lives of many students across North America. The partnership focused on creating a scholarship program that would support technical skills development, addressing the industry’s need for technicians over engineers at a 10:1 ratio.
How was the FANUC scholarship funded?
FANUC leveraged its network of 1,400 authorized systems integrators and education solution providers to fund the scholarship program. FANUC seeded the program and collaborated with its partners to contribute to the fund.
What is the application process for the FANUC scholarship, and how are students matched with the program?
The scholarship application process is streamlined and managed by SME. Students fill out a single application, and SME matches them with the scholarships that best align with their goals and qualifications. The application window opened in November and closes on February 1. Awards are announced in late spring to summer, and selected students receive support for the upcoming school year starting in the fall of 2025.
How does the scholarship program aim to address the talent gap in the manufacturing industry?
The scholarship program directly addresses the talent gap by focusing on developing technical skills in robotics and automation. As manufacturers invest heavily in automation technology, they need skilled workers to operate, expand, and innovate with these systems. FANUC sees this program as a “three-legged stool,” with all parties—employers, technology providers, and schools—playing a crucial role. Employers must define their talent needs, companies like FANUC must provide cutting-edge technology and training, and schools must adapt curriculums quickly to keep pace with evolving technology. This collaboration ensures that students graduate with skills directly applicable to the workforce.
Photo © FANUC
How many students are expected to benefit from it?
This year, 25 scholarships will be awarded. The amount and distribution of scholarships will depend on the type of education pursued, whether it’s a technical degree, a two-year program, or technical certification. Currently, the target is to award 25 scholarships annually.
What is the vision behind the scholarship, and how will it shape the manufacturing and automation industry?
The vision is to support students while increasing awareness of the exciting opportunities in manufacturing. We aim to shift outdated perceptions of manufacturing being monotonous and hazardous by showcasing advanced manufacturing environments. These workplaces utilize robots, vision systems, and collaborative technologies, allowing employees to focus on critical thinking and problem-solving. Additionally, automation doesn’t eliminate jobs; instead, for every automated system installed, three to four new roles are created, such as programmers, maintenance staff, and system integrators. This scholarship underscores manufacturing as a viable and innovative career path.
Businesses often cite financial barriers and high costs as challenges to adopting modernization. What is your take on this?
Manufacturers face labour shortages and a significant skills gap, which COVID-19 has exacerbated. Industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce, which were traditionally labour-intensive, have rapidly embraced automation during the pandemic. This adoption has increased the demand for skilled talent. Automation helps companies become more productive and profitable, enabling them to reshore jobs and compete globally. However, attracting more individuals to manufacturing careers remains a critical challenge as the sector continues to grow and evolve.
What are the most exciting opportunities and challenges in automation and robotics over the next decade?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and connected smart systems will continue to advance and become easier to deploy. Students should focus on the three foundational skill areas:
- Automation: Understanding robotics or CNC operations.
- Process Control: Familiarity with programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
- Connectivity: Knowledge of how robot controllers communicate with PLCs and other smart devices through technologies like Ethernet or PROFINET.
Are certification programs enhancing employability, and are manufacturers valuing these credentials?
Certification programs, such as FANUC’s CERT initiative, focus on occupational certifications that encompass a set of skills for a specific role. Partnering with NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute), FANUC ensures that certifications align with ISO procedures and validate proficiency in skills taught through the curriculum. Employers recognize these certifications as proof that candidates are prepared for the job. We are also encouraging employers to include these credentials in their job descriptions, ensuring alignment between industry needs and workforce capabilities.
Student applications are currently being accepted through Feb. 1, 2025, for the scholarship fund, which is available to students in the U.S. and Canada.
(The quotes in this article have been edited for length and clarity.)
