The CERT program includes online classes, hands on training and advanced exams

FANUC Robotics America, Inc. recently announced that Rick E. Wagner, professor of electronics at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) has successfully completed Certified Education Robot Training (CERT) requirements.  DMACC is the first school in the country to complete the CERT program.

It took just six months for Wagner to complete the certification requirements, which included online classes, hands on training and advanced exams. “The CERT training was great,” said Wagner.  “FANUC Robotics obviously put a lot of time and effort into creating the online content.  The robot training cart, ROBOGUIDE robot cell simulation, and web-based training will be used in our Robotics and Flexible Manufacturing Systems classes.  I plan to use this training to motivate students to learn applied mathematics.”

The FANUC Robotics CERT program is available to qualified high schools, community colleges and universities.  The program certifies instructors at educational institutions to train their students to program FANUC robots.

To accompany the CERT program, DMACC purchased the new innovative educational tooling package that includes an industrial robot, integrated vision system, programmable logic controller, and ROBOGUIDE simulation software.  According to Wagner, the school will use the training cart for classroom demonstrations and student labs. 

“FANUC Robotics created the CERT program in response to the growing need for a qualified technical work force in manufacturing, “ said Peter Varbedian, senior staff specialist, FANUC Robotics. “With this package, students can learn fundamental through advanced engineering and manufacturing concepts while learning math and science.  They will work with the same robots, software and applications that are used in industry.”

The Fall 2008 semester is DMACC’s first implementation of the CERT program.  “The students caught on surprisingly fast to the ROBOGUIDE simulation software, and I expect to have about 20 students using the robot this term,” said Wagner.  “Students will receive a certificate with the approved CERT logo when they complete the CERT program integrated into DMACC curriculum.  This will demonstrate to companies interested in hiring a student that they have completed a school program that includes FANUC Robotics approved training.”

Wagner also plans to take the robot training cart to college recruiting events to encourage future technology students to attend DMACC.

“We feel this is a very effective program for educational institutions to train today’s young people to be qualified for successful careers in tomorrow’s high-tech manufacturing environment and it provides a flexible platform that can be directly integrated into the growing career technical education programs across the country” said Kevin Ostby, vice president, Customer Resource Center, FANUC Robotics.