MILLERSVILLE, PA — In a strategic move to bolster Pennsylvania’s manufacturing workforce, the Shapiro Administration has announced a $200,000 investment in Millersville University’s Robotic Worx program. This initiative aims to provide high school and undergraduate students with hands-on experience in addressing real-world manufacturing challenges through automation and robotics.
The investment, part of the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career (MTTC) grant, highlights the administration’s efforts to create a robust workforce pipeline by offering critical career training opportunities. Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration is dedicated to enhancing the state’s manufacturing sector, providing students with the skills necessary to thrive in a competitive industry.
The MTTC grant will facilitate the creation of paid internships, as well as fund essential training and supplies within Millersville University’s advanced Solutions Lab. This financial support is designed to remove economic barriers, ensuring all students can take part in the program’s offerings.
Gwen Ross, Director of Workforce Development Initiatives at the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), emphasized the importance of such investments: “Investing in programs like Millersville University’s Robotic WorX is essential to building a skilled workforce and strengthening Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry. The Shapiro Administration is proud to invest in advanced technology training programs like this one that inspire students and adults and helps put them on the path to a good-paying manufacturing career.”
The Robotic Worx program, a collaborative effort between Millersville University and Precision Cobotics, plans to impact over 2,000 individuals in the next two years. This will be achieved through increased participation from high school students, expanded internships, peer mentoring, and engagement events aimed at local organizations. The program serves as a vital link between STEM education and career pathways, offering internships, job-shadowing, and tours that expose participants to cutting-edge automation and robotics technologies.
John Haughery, Co-Founder of Robotic Worx and Program Coordinator at Millersville, expressed gratitude for the state’s support: “The Robotic WorX program provides so many entry points to Pennsylvania’s automation and robotics pipeline. From first-time experience with robotics to getting your hands on a collaborative robot, to spending a semester-long internship developing state-of-the-art automation technologies for real manufacturing problems in PA and beyond, this program offers so much to so many.”
John Bridgen, Co-Founder of Robotic Worx and Director of Customer Satisfaction and Co-Worker Advancement at Precision Cobotics, highlighted the program’s role in shaping future careers: “This hands-on experience, using the latest in AI and robotics technologies, creates clear career pathways in this exciting field.”
The MTTC grant aligns with efforts to collaborate with local manufacturers, aiming to equip individuals with essential skills required for entry-level manufacturing positions and engage those with barriers to such career opportunities. Through this investment, the Shapiro Administration is not only addressing immediate industry needs but also laying the groundwork for a thriving future workforce in Pennsylvania.
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