| | |

How Omron, MICHauto and Square One Education are Helping Students Bridge the Gap Between STEM Education and Careers in Manufacturing

May 2, 2023

How Omron, MICHauto and Square One Education are Helping Students Bridge the Gap Between STEM Education and Careers in Manufacturing

How Omron, MICHauto and Square One Education are helping students bridge the gap between STEM education and careers in manufacturing. Most recent high school and college graduates can attest there’s a bit of a skills gap between what they learned and what they’re expected to do in their first job after graduation. In some industries, this gap can be immense, and it can create4 stress for the new hires even when employer-provided training is thorough.

The automotive industry falls into this category, but companies, universities, and outreach organizations are working to change that. With STEM education programs that connect students to today’s major automotive manufacturers and suppliers along with generous donations from companies like Omron that put cutting-edge equipment directly into classrooms, today’s young people are more prepared.

Hartland High School students visit Omron’s Detroit Proof of Concept Center 

As part of its talent attraction efforts, MICHauto (Michigan’s only automotive, mobility, and technology cluster association) has partnered with Square One Education Network to identify and engage high school students within the Detroit Region and the state. Through in-person and virtual career exploration of automotive and mobility companies and presentations by industry experts, Discover Auto tours educate students on the industry, its technology, and promote diverse career options. Hartland High School attended the first in-person tour since 2020, which took place at Omron’s Detroit Proof of Concept Center (PoCC) in Novi, Michigan.

Our PoCC engineers gave the students a demonstration of the latest automotive-focused automation technologies, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Omron sales and marketing colleagues also discussed what it’s like to work in the industry and shared tips on navigating the educational pathways to STEM careers in engineering and manufacturing.

What automotive companies are looking for in the workforce

Trends like rapid technological development, concerns about sustainability, and the advent of electric vehicles are influencing how automotive companies hire their next generation of workers. As the vehicles themselves become increasingly complex, companies are looking for highly flexible employees who can easily adapt to new automotive manufacturing solutions.

Automation promises to continue revolutionizing the automotive factory floor, and employees will be required to learn how to work alongside — and in some cases, directly with — technologies such as collaborative robots, mobile robots, and the like. When young people gain familiarity with these technologies before their first day on the job, this becomes much easier.

Are you a recent college graduate interested in gaining a foothold in an automation career, including within the automotive industry?

Sakura Early Career Training Program

Source

Related Story

Omron’s Robotic Solutions: Thousands of Possibilities

Robots can improve the productivity of many industries and processes. They can handle a variety of tasks, such as laborious or repetitive work, and can dramatically improve processes in industries such as machine tending, assembly, packaging, and other manufacturing activities. Moreover, they can handle routine operations, allowing employees to perform higher-value tasks.

This article will look at a selection of Omron’s robots and robotic solutions, such as autonomous robots and collaborative robots, and will explore how these products can be integrated into facilities to improve productivity. It also discusses the next evolution in factory automation: MoMa’s, or Mobile Manipulators – the growing trend of having collaborative robots mounted onto AMRs to achieve new levels of automation.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Pilz’s International Online Training Offer: Secure Your Place Now for 2025!

    March 6, 2025 Pilz is offering online training courses in 2025 on popular topics such as Introduction to Machinery Regulation, Fundamentals of Machinery Safety, Fundamentals of Industrial Security, Basics of CE Marking, Safety Requirements and Integration of AGVs, Robot Safety and Integration, and many more. Make sure you register as soon as possible to secure… Read More…

  • Guide to Mechatronics – Part 8: Future Innovations

    Guide to Mechatronics – Part 8: Future Innovations

    March 5, 2025 The future of mechatronics is closely intertwined with the advancement of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning. These technologies are not only enhancing the capabilities of mechatronic systems but are also opening new possibilities and applications. Artificial Intelligence (AI):  AI’s integration into mechatronic… Read More…


Featured Article

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing and logistics industries, the need for efficient and flexible material movement solutions has never been greater. Traditional methods like conveyor systems, forklifts, and manual pushcarts have served us well, but they come with limitations.

That’s why Omron is thrilled to announce the launch of their game-changing MD Series of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Read more


Products

  • OnRobot Introduces the VGP30: Highest-Payload Vacuum Gripper for Enhanced Collaborative Automation

    March 7, 2025 The release marks OnRobot’s highest payload gripper to date, with intelligent control and seamless integration for palletizing and handling OnRobot has announced the release of its new VGP30 vacuum gripper. This powerful and robust 30 kg (66 lbs.) payload gripper is designed to excel at palletizing boxes and handling irregular shapes and… Read More…

  • New Base Power Supply from WAGO

    March 6, 2025 Get an excellent balance between price and power with WAGO’s new efficient, high-performance 2587 Base Power Supply Series The Base Power Supply Series with the industry-proven Push-in CAGE CLAMP® connection provides essential functionality during operation and stands out for its cost-effectiveness. The new devices offer quick, reliable and tool-free connections, along with… Read More…