[SPOKANE, Wash.] --Spokane Community College Robotics and Mechatronics Technology students are shifting gears adding a collaborative robot arm along with hydraulics and pneumatics.
Providing students with modern robotics skillsets is essential for meeting the evolving hiring needs of local businesses and bolstering the region’s economic development. By equipping tomorrow’s workforce with in-demand technical expertise, we help ensure Spokane remains at the forefront of innovation and competitiveness.
The new technology is equipping students with modern skills sets that’ll diversify their career paths as they enter the workforce after graduation in June.
Falon Merrick, a second-year student of the robotics program, transferred from welding program when looking for skills that could launch her into a more lucrative career after school.
“Joining this program is the best thing I could’ve done for myself. There is a way more diverse workforce for us,” Merrick said. “We can go into computer programming, maintenance type roles, technician roles. There are so many different things that you can do.”
Named after tenured faculty member John Norman, the new robotic arm named “Norman 24” is a welcome addition to the program's supply of equipment.
Having this collaborative piece of mechanical equipment allows the students’ knowledge base to keep growing with ever-changing industry standards.
“Everything is starting to adapt to this kind of technology in the industry,” second year robotics and mechatronics student Nate Deruwe said.
Norman said half of his students in the program are currently employed and all the students should be employed before they reach their graduation dates.
The expanded knowledge base of the students that includes hands-on exposure to industry standards makes SCC’s robotics and mechatronics program one of the first phone calls for employers seeking skilled graduates eager to enter the workforce.