Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) Celebrates 500 Member Organizations and 100,000 Certifications Awarded
January 5, 2026 — The Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing the workforce for Industry 4.0, proudly announces a major milestone: the organization has officially welcomed 500 member organizations and awarded more than 100,000 certifications worldwide.
This achievement underscores SACA’s growing impact in bridging the gap between education and industry by equipping learners with the skills needed to thrive in advanced manufacturing and automation. Member organizations include employers, educators, and workforce leaders who are committed to building a future-ready workforce.
“SACA has officially welcomed 500 member organizations as well as awarded 100,000 certifications,” said Jim Wall, Executive Director of SACA. “This milestone isn’t just about numbers, it’s about impact. Every certification represents someone gaining confidence, advancing their career, and helping their organization stay competitive in today’s rapidly evolving economy. We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the dedication of our partners and the passion of learners everywhere.”
SACA’s certifications are uniquely designed to align with real-world industry needs. Developed in collaboration with leading manufacturers, educators, and workforce development experts, the certifications validate skills in areas such as smart automation, robotics, industrial controls, and data analytics. These competencies are critical for success in Industry 4.0, where connected systems, intelligent machines, and data-driven decision-making are transforming the way businesses operate.
By offering stackable, modular certifications, SACA provides learners with flexible pathways to build skills progressively, ensuring they can adapt to new technologies as they emerge. Employers benefit by gaining confidence that certified individuals are job-ready and capable of contributing immediately to productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.
SACA’s reach now extends across multiple sectors, including advanced manufacturing, energy, logistics, and cyber security. The organization’s member base includes community colleges, universities, high schools, and training centers, as well as Fortune 500 companies and regional manufacturers. This diverse coalition demonstrates the broad relevance of SACA’s mission: preparing a workforce that can thrive in both local and global economies.
Looking ahead, SACA is committed to expanding its reach and continuing to empower organizations and individuals. “We are looking forward to welcoming the next wave of organizations and learners into the alliance,” Wall added. “Together, we’ll continue building skills, advancing careers, and shaping the future of smart automation.”
About SACA
The Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and deploy modular Industry 4.0 certifications for a wide range of industries.
Our vision is to provide highly affordable, accessible certifications that significantly increase the number of individuals who possess the skills represented by these credentials, thereby ensuring that companies have the highly skilled workers they need, and individuals are prepared to be successful in an Industry 4.0 world.
With the help industry partners, SACA has created certifications that are industry-driven, developed for industry by industry. They are developed through a rigorous process that begins with the creation of truly international skill standards, endorsed by leading experts in Industry 4.0 technologies throughout the world.
- Published in News, Posts, Technology
5 Resolutions Every High School Tech Ed Program Should Make in 2026
Today’s advanced manufacturing environment moves fast, and students entering the workforce need skills that keep pace. High school tech ed programs play a critical role in shaping that readiness, but only if they stay connected to industry expectations and emerging technologies.
The new year doesn’t have to be just about personal resolutions; it’s the perfect moment for schools to commit to bold, future-focused goals. These five resolutions are designed to help programs strengthen partnerships, expand opportunities, and ensure every student graduates with credentials that employers trust.
Resolution 1: Build Relationships with Three New Local Companies
Strong industry partnerships give students a clearer picture of what modern manufacturing looks like. For many schools, the challenge isn’t willingness, it’s knowing where to start. The good news is that companies are more open than ever to collaborating with local schools and programs, especially when those programs demonstrate a commitment to teaching real-world skills.
Employers want graduates who can step onto the floor with confidence. That’s where intentional outreach comes in. Start by identifying three local companies that align with your program’s pathways. By staying local and making connections in your community, it’s a huge win for both sides.
A simple, well-crafted invitation can open the door. A great way to reach out would be through a phone call or an in-person invitation. When you connect, keep the first conversation focused on learning about the employer and their needs: What does your facility make? What technologies are you investing in? What kind of skills are in highest demand? How can your school help fill your talent needs? Offering support and partnership builds trust and opens the door to a stronger, long-term relationship.
Once these connections are made, offer to host them at your school to see the students’ work in action and offer the chance to speak about their organization to the students directly. This also leads well into our second resolution.
Resolution 2: Take Your Students on Three Facility Tours
Nothing beats seeing industry in action. Many students do not think of manufacturing careers simply because they are not exposed to it. When the only images they have of manufacturing come from outdated stereotypes or secondhand descriptions, it’s no surprise that they overlook the field entirely.
A facility tour has the chance to change that perception instantly. The moment students step onto a modern shop floor they have the chance to see the innovation, opportunity, and possible future for themselves.
These tours have benefits for both the students and educators. Students will see firsthand the technologies they’re learning about in class, reinforcing concepts in a way that a textbook or school lab can’t. These experiences make learning tangible and help students understand why their coursework matters.
For educators, tours offer a window into the skills employers expect from entry-level talent. Seeing real workflows, equipment, and processes can help refine curriculum, identify gaps, and stay aligned with industry trends.
This year, work with the three companies you build a relationship with and take your students on tours of their facilities.
Resolution 3: Attend One Industry Tradeshow
For educators, attending an industry tradeshow is one of the fastest ways for educators to understand where technology is heading. A single event, like IMTS (International Machine Technology Show), can reshape a program’s direction, ensuring students are learning the skills today’s workforce actually needs.
By making tradeshows a consistent part of professional development, tech ed programs ensure they remain relevant, forward‑thinking, and deeply informed about the skills today’s employers value most. Regular attendance also helps teachers build relationships with vendors, industry experts, and workforce leaders who can offer insight, guidance, and potential partnerships. Over time, this ongoing exposure creates a cycle of continuous improvement, where programs evolve alongside industry rather than lagging behind it.
As a bonus, if you are local to Chicagoland (or within driving distance), IMTS has a great opportunity for students with its Smartforce Student Summit. The Smartforce Student Summit is designed to inspire students to seek an education in STEM that leads to a career pathway in manufacturing. This would be a great opportunity to get students in front of national and global leaders in the industry.
Resolution 4: Attend Two Technical Education Conferences
One of the most valuable things a tech ed teacher can do is learn directly from other educators who have already solved the challenges they’re facing. Technical education conferences create that space. These events offer a rare chance to compare notes, gather new ideas, and walk away with practical solutions that can be implemented immediately.
Conferences like the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA), the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), the American Technical Education Association (ATEA), the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) and their state-level counterparts bring together thousands of educators, industry and workforce leaders who all have the same goal: prepare students for high-demand, high-tech careers.
By committing to attend two technical education conferences in 2026, tech ed programs invest directly in their own growth. They ensure their teachers stay sharp, their curriculum stays relevant, and their students stay competitive in a rapidly changing workforce.
Resolution 5: Have 100% of Students Earn Industry-Recognized Certifications
For today’s students entering the workforce, graduating with only classroom experience is no longer enough. Employers want evidence that students can demonstrate real skills, work safely, and understand the technologies used in modern manufacturing and automation environments. Having each student earn at least one industry-recognized credential will solidify your program as a resource for local workforce.
There are industry-recognized credentials for a wide variety of technical topic areas. AWS supports welding pathways, CompTIA strengthens IT fundamentals, OSHA provides essential safety training, NCCER serves construction trades, and the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) aligns with [MM8] advanced manufacturing, automation, and smart systems. Together, these credentials create a comprehensive, workforce-ready foundation that helps every student graduate with skills employers trust.
Credentials validate what students know and what they can do. They provide a standardized, industry-aligned way to measure competency. Each credential becomes a tangible asset students can showcase in their portfolios and on their résumés, helping them stand out in a competitive hiring landscape.
By committing to 100% credential attainment in 2026, tech ed programs send a powerful message: every student deserves the chance to graduate with validated, job-ready skills.
Confident, Capable, and Ready to Contribute
As we jump into 2026, tech ed programs are stepping into a year where industry expectations are rising faster than ever. Students need more than exposure. They need real skills, real experiences, and real alignment with the technologies shaping today’s workforce.
A set of clear, intentional resolutions can help your program grow, give students stronger opportunities, and ensure your school stays connected to current industry expectations. When educators commit to these actions, they create classrooms that reflect real industry environments and produce graduates who are confident, capable and ready to contribute on day one.
If your program is ready to take the next step toward stronger industry alignment and more job-ready graduates, explore how SACA can support your 2026 goals below.
Find local industry SACA members: https://www.saca.org/member-institutions/
SACA benefits for educators: https://www.saca.org/education-membership-benefits/
- Published in Technology
MxD and SACA Launch Partnership of Co-Developed Micro-Credentials to Strengthen the Future Manufacturing Workforce
Chicago, IL – December 16, 2025 – MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) has partnered with the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) to co-develop three new credentials aligned with MxD’s Curriculum and Pathways Integrating Technology and Learning (CAPITAL) courses. These industry-recognized credentials, now entering a pilot phase, will allow learners to transform their training into nationally portable, employer-driven certifications that demonstrate real-world skills in advanced manufacturing.
These three MxD + SACA Joint Micro-Credentials are aligned directly to MxD’s CAPITAL courses on its Virtual Training Center (VTC) and include:
- Data Annotation- Prepares individuals to collect, organize, label, and validate datasets used in training artificial intelligence and machine learning models, with a focus on manufacturing applications.
- Manufacturing Analytics- Prepares individuals to collect, clean, format, analyze, visualize, and interpret manufacturing data to support decision-making in Industry 4.0 environments.
- Pre-Metaverse Integration Technology- Prepares individuals to plan, implement, and optimize extended reality (XR) technologies—including AR, VR, MR—in manufacturing environments.
“By partnering with SACA, MxD is ensuring that the skills learners build in the Virtual Training Center lead to nationally portable industry-recognized credentials that will help them advance their careers,” said Lizabeth Stuck, VP government affairs and MxD Learn. “These credentials verify that learners can demonstrate job-ready competencies, while providing employers confidence that their workforce is prepared to meet the demands of today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing environment.”
These credentials reflect SACA’s mission to expand access to affordable, modular Industry 4.0 certifications, ensuring workers are prepared for success in the digital manufacturing era and employers have access to the skilled talent they need and are:
- Industry-Driven: Developed with direct input from U.S. manufacturers, ensuring alignment with in-demand skills.
- Career-Boosting: Credentials demonstrate technical competencies that go beyond course completion, setting candidates apart in the job market.
- Portable & Stackable: Recognized nationwide, these micro credentials can be added to résumés, LinkedIn profiles, and job applications. They also stack with future credentials, creating a clear pathway for advancement in Industry 4.0 careers.
The pilot will focus on SACA Silver-level certifications, awarded to individuals who successfully pass a written, virtual knowledge assessment.
“SACA is proud to collaborate with collaborate with MxD, whose expertise as the nation’s digital manufacturing institute ensures that credentials are directly aligned with the skills employers need,” said James Wall, Executive Director at SACA. “Together, we are expanding access to industry-driven certifications in emerging technologies — demonstrating how modular, nationally recognized credentials can empower learners and strengthen the U.S. manufacturing workforce.”
Manufacturers interested in participating in this pilot can sign up at: https://vtc.mxdusa.org/
About MxD
MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) advances economic prosperity and national security by strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness through technology innovation, workforce development, and cybersecurity preparedness. In partnership with the Department of Defense, we convene an ecosystem to solve critical manufacturing challenges by accelerating digital adoption, empowering a skilled workforce, and modernizing supply chains. MxD is also the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing as designated by DoD. Visit mxdusa.org to learn more.
CAPITAL is sponsored by Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, PA, and the Defense Logistics Agency, Ft. Belvoir, VA.
About SACA
The Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and deploying affordable, modular Industry 4.0 certifications to prepare individuals for success in an advanced manufacturing world while ensuring employers have access to the skilled talent they need.
Media Contact:
Mackie Hill
MxD, Marketing and Communications Manager
312-281-6872
mackie.hill@mxdusa.org
- Published in News
Creating a Digital Roadmap for U.S. Manufacturing
In today’s technology-driven world, how you think about the task of navigating from Point A to Point B can reveal a lot about your age and the time in which you grew up. If you can read a paper map or ever used printed Mapquest directions to find your way to a destination, then it may be time for your annual colonoscopy.
Nowadays getting somewhere you’ve never been is as easy as asking Siri for directions and following the step-by-step instructions in your map app. While the technology in your smartphone might guide you to an address, it unfortunately won’t be much help if your destination isn’t quite as tangible as a physical location.
For example, a small- to medium-sized manufacturer (SMM) hoping to transform its operations with advanced automation technologies will need more than Siri and an iPhone. The digital manufacturing landscape is evolving rapidly and navigating it can be daunting, leaving many leaders of SMMs asking “Anybody have a map?”
Fortunately, the answer to that question is “yes” and the organization with the map(s) is known as MxD or The Digital Manufacturing and Cybersecurity Institute. According to a recent 3D Printing Industry article by Ada Shaikhnag, MxD “has released its Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for 2025-2027, presenting a detailed roadmap to bolster the competitiveness, resilience, and cybersecurity of U.S. manufacturing.”
MxD’s SIP, “[s]haped by insights from manufacturers, technology providers, academic institutions, and government partners,…lays out a targeted investment strategy in digital engineering, factory modernization, supply chain resilience, and workforce development.”
By focusing on things like “digital engineering and design, future factory systems, supply chain visibility, and cybersecurity integration,” MxD intends to “address persistent challenges within the industrial base, particularly among…SMMs…that often lack the resources needed to adopt and scale digital manufacturing solutions.”
So, what should SMMs be keeping in mind as they look to incorporate advanced automation technologies? Here are a few key areas of focus according to MxD:
- Data Lifecycle
MxD developed “a technical framework called the data lifecycle…[that] maps the flow of data across the various stages of a product’s lifecycle, from development and manufacturing to deployment and support.” MxD believes “seamless data movement and high-fidelity data collection…are vital for unlocking capabilities such as predictive maintenance, quality control, and secure information sharing throughout supply chains.” - Interoperability and Data Standards
According to Shaikhnag, “MxD is working on a…[p]laybook to consolidate and harmonize data standards used by manufacturers. This effort addresses the challenge of fragmented data formats and standards across different systems, which can hinder consistent data flows and semantic interoperability. - Future Factory Development
MxD has its eyes on the factories of the future and its “projects in this area aim to build digital environments that support real-time process optimization, data-driven decision-making, and production lines that can adapt quickly to disruptions and new customer demands. Initiatives around digital twins, 5G/6G integration, and cybersecurity best practices will help shape these future factories.” - Cybersecurity
In addition to its other digital focuses, MxD serves as “the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing. With manufacturing identified as the most targeted sector for cyberattacks in recent years, MxD’s cybersecurity projects aim to enhance protections for both operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) environments.”
As manufacturers prepare for an increasingly digital future, MxD also believes that “workforce initiatives [are] critical, noting that 1.9 million manufacturing jobs could remain unfilled by 2033 without targeted upskilling efforts.” To that end, MxD offers “advanced role-based training programs in data analytics, cybersecurity, and extended reality applications” as part of its Virtual Training Center.
In addition to upskilling current workers, it’s critical for manufacturers to hire highly skilled workers that can manage cybersecurity risks, in addition to operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing the advanced automation systems that are being implemented. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing “skills gap” issue in the manufacturing sector, finding highly skilled workers remains a significant challenge.
How can manufacturers find the workers they need? And how can they be sure that workers have the hands-on skills they need to succeed in the modern workplace? Today, more and more manufacturers are looking for workers with industry-standard certifications that prove they have the skills employers need.
For example, if workers possess a certification from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), employers can feel confident they’ve already proven they have the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for working with advanced smart automation technologies.
SACA has been hard at work collaborating with industry leaders to develop a wide variety of industry-standard certifications that will help employers find workers who possess the advanced connected-systems skills they need to take their businesses to the next level. Be sure to check out SACA and all it has to offer!
- Published in News
SACA & Vincennes University to Host Cobot Credential Development Work Group
The Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) is pleased to announce that it is partnering with the Vincennes University Center for Applied Robotics & Automation to host an exclusive Credential Development Work Group meeting on July 16th, 2025, in Lebanon, Indiana.
WHO IS IT FOR?
We’re inviting top professionals and innovators in advanced manufacturing to join us in crafting a credential that meets the real-world demands of modern industry with a key focus on Collaborative Robotics and Connected Workspaces. Your input will directly influence the development of a nationally-recognized, occupation-specific certification that reflects the evolving needs of a smart manufacturing workforce.
WHAT IS THE NEED?
Are you struggling to find workers for your open positions? Are you investing in automation and now need to upskill/reskill your employees? Do you want a workplace culture where people seek to learn, grow their skills and stick around long-term?
Discover how industrial employers are hiring, training, and retaining highly-skilled workers using micro-credentials from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance
- Learn about the only Industry 4.0 certifications developed by employers, for employers
- Get a roadmap to align highly-targeted micro-credentials with the exact skills incumbent workers in your company need
- Discover how to recruit SACA-certified employees graduating from advanced manufacturing programs
Interested? Here are the details:
SACA & Vincennes University Cobot Credential Development Work Group
July 16, 2025
Gene Haas Training and Education Center
316 N Mt Zion Rd, Lebanon, IN 46052
Click here to download a flyer with more information.
Plan to attend? RSVP here.
About SACA
SACA sits at the forefront of the effort to certify students and workers who demonstrate the required knowledge and hands-on smart automation skills employers so desperately need. SACA’s certifications were developed in conjunction with industry partners who could speak from experience about their needs when it comes to workers able to work alongside a variety of advanced automation technologies.
SACA offers a wide variety of certifications in popular industrial skill areas, including certifications at the Associate, Specialist, and Professional level. For those wishing to focus on building a strong foundation of skills employers need, SACA also offers many micro-credentials that allow students and workers to add certifications as they master new areas.
For workers, SACA certifications can help market their smart automation skills to potential employers. For those employers, SACA certifications represent confirmation that a worker has the skills to hit the ground running in the workplace. To learn more about Industry 4.0 certifications and how SACA can help both future workers and industrial employers begin the task of bridging the Industry 4.0 skills gap, contact SACA for more information.
- Published in News
Robots and Cobots Finding Niche in Food Manufacturing
Manufacturers across the country and around the world share many of the same challenges in today’s fast-paced technological workplace. There’s always pressure to increase productivity and efficiency while struggling to manage labor shortages and a lack of enough skilled workers.
In the food and beverage industry, manufacturers must also stay on top of myriad regulations covering food safety. Like other manufacturers in adjacent industries, food and beverage manufacturers are increasingly turning to advanced automation technologies, like robots and cobots, to tackle the issues they face.
According to a recent Food Engineering article by Grant Gerke, “[c]obot and robot applications and overall automation investments in food plants have been vital to stemming ubiquitous workforce retention issues, overcoming limited space in food plants and increasing throughput.”
Gerke predicts “the next five years will see more innovation and expansion with cobot and robot applications, including delta pick-and-place product stations, mobile work cells and even autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technology at larger plants.”
For example, the author points out a new Tyson food production facility in Virgina that “features high-speed automated case packing lines and high-speed robotic case palletizing units.” Gerke insists “the robust trend of food companies eliminating plants, reorganizing and investing in automation and smart manufacturing plants isn’t going away.”
What’s driving the automation push? In many cases, it’s the ongoing skills gap problem that has left many manufacturers with a persistent labor shortage. According to Universal Robots’ Chris Savoia, “[e]mployee retention is one of the most significant factors driving the adoption of cobots in secondary packaging. The high turnover rates and difficulty recruiting and training staff for repetitive, labor-intensive jobs have forced many companies to reconsider their approach.”
Of course, humans are still an integral piece of the food and beverage manufacturing puzzle. As more and more advanced automation technologies are implemented, even more highly skilled workers are needed to install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair these systems.
Unfortunately, finding highly skilled workers remains a significant challenge. How can employers find the workers they need? And how can they be sure that workers have the hands-on skills they need to succeed in the modern workplace? Today, more and more employers are looking for workers with industry-standard certifications that prove they have the skills needed.
For example, if workers possess a certification from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), employers can feel confident they’ve already proven they have the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for working with advanced smart automation technologies. SACA has been hard at work collaborating with industry leaders to develop a wide variety of industry-standard certifications that will help employers find workers who possess the advanced connected-systems skills they need to take their businesses to the next level. Be sure to check out SACA and all it has to offer!
- Published in News
Connected Factories Need Humans More Than Ever
In recent weeks, manufacturing has once again been a popular topic of conversation amidst the Trump administration’s on-again/off-again tariff announcements. Proponents of tariffs believe they will force companies to reshore manufacturing that has been previously moved overseas.
However, people familiar with the current state of manufacturing in the United States know things aren’t nearly as simple as they’re made to seem on the news. Already facing an ongoing skills gap that has left more than a half-million manufacturing jobs unfilled, where will manufacturers find even more workers to fill new factories?
Many Americans do agree that it would be a good thing if there were more manufacturing workers in the U.S. However, far fewer people think manufacturing would be a good fit for themselves personally. This lasting negative impression of manufacturing as a career choice is one of the primary contributing factors to the ongoing skills gap plaguing manufacturers across the country.
Over the past couple of decades, American manufacturers have attempted to deal with the skills gap in a variety of ways. For example, many manufacturers have invested heavily in advanced automation technologies that can increase productivity and efficiency while reducing the need for human workers in certain types of jobs. These facilities feature “connected systems” technologies that create what many refer to as a “smart factory” environment.
This use of robots and other automation technologies has led some to worry that human workers would be completely displaced by technology one day. To the contrary, though, many of these technologies are merely taking the place of workers that couldn’t be found in the first place. For those who worry about robots replacing humans, new research should give them comfort that human beings in the workplace will always be necessary…and even more so in the age of advanced automation.
A DC Velocity article summarizes recent research by Gartner, which found that a “human-centric strategy is key to operating the ‘connected factory.’” “According to Gartner, connected factory workers use digital tools and data management techniques to improve how work is done in factories. That access to new knowledge and technology reduces variability, decentralizes decisions, and proliferates knowledge.”
Although the focus is often on the technology being implemented, Gartner “emphasizes the role of the connected factory worker in the advancement of an overall smart manufacturing strategy…The connected factory worker can serve as a strategic pillar in supporting an organization’s aim of localizing manufacturing and expanding capacity.”
As manufacturers navigate the complex pathway of combining advanced automation technologies with highly skilled workers who can install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair these systems, finding the right type of workers who can thrive alongside technology will be paramount.
“Successful implementation of these initiatives is key to overcoming labor shortages, revitalizing the frontline workforce and reinventing the employee value proposition in manufacturing for a new generation.”
Involving workers in the decision-making process early can be beneficial. “In the near-term, they can achieve operational cost savings, while in the longer-term they may gain strategic benefits centered on enhancing the employee experience, upskilling talent, and creating new organizational roles that will appeal to and engage the next generation of workers.”
So where do these connected factory workers come from? As companies embrace new technologies, they will often need to either upskill current workers or hire new workers with the advanced automation technology skills they require.
If hiring new workers ends up being part of their automation implementation plan, manufacturers should look for candidates with industry-standard credentials that prove they already possess the advanced automation skills needed to thrive.
For example, if workers possess a certification from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), employers can feel confident they’ve already proven they have the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for working with advanced smart automation technologies. SACA has been hard at work collaborating with industry leaders to develop a wide variety of industry-standard certifications that will help employers find workers who possess the advanced connected-systems skills they need to take their businesses to the next level. Be sure to check out SACA and all it has to offer!
- Published in News
Microcredentials Becoming Popular Alternative to College
Today’s high school students have more career paths to choose from than any other generation in history. For years, parents, teachers, and guidance counselors steered students toward college to earn a four-year degree before entering the job market. However, college isn’t always the right choice for a student.
Thanks to years of effort by manufacturers, many students now realize that entering the workforce straight out of high school is a viable option. Not only can they make good money right from the start, but they can also avoid tens of thousands of dollars in student loans.
In addition to skills they can acquire in modern career and technical education (CTE) programs in high school, students can also pursue apprenticeships with on-the-job training, as well as microcredentials from a national organization like the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA).
In a recent article on The 74 website, author Kerry McDonald profiles high school student Chase Buffington, a senior currently working as a paid apprentice for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) company.
According to McDonald, “Buffington is representative of a growing number of young people, especially men, who are eschewing a college degree for alternatives, such as apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, and microcredentialing.”
Connor Boyack, president of apprenticeship preparation and placement program Praxis, agrees that “the future of postsecondary pathways lies in creating more opportunities for teenagers and young adults to explore their interests and gain career-related skills and knowledge outside of a conventional college classroom.”
Author, professor, and workforce development advisor Kathleen deLaski offers advice for the modern workplace: “Employers beyond the trades need to consider apprenticeship and they need to provide certifications in a broader number of fields so that learners can demonstrate skills mastery without a degree.” Likewise, high schools, colleges, and universities would do well to consider how they will “respond to the changing preferences of a young workforce.”
Whether you’re a high school or college instructor or an industrial hiring manager, it can be difficult to switch gears to respond to new trends, like the growing popularity of apprenticeships and microcredentialing. Fortunately, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. SACA has worked closely with industry leaders to craft a wide variety of microcredentials that reflect the hands-on skills that industry needs.
Smart automation technologies are vital parts of many major industries. These industries need highly skilled workers to fill thousands of open positions, and employers need to know that potential employees have the skills they need to hit the ground running.
That’s why SACA’s microcredentials were developed with input from a combination of industry and educational experts. Guided by their expertise regarding the skills and competencies needed for today’s smart manufacturing workforce, SACA has been able to create nationally recognized, occupation-driven microcredentials for numerous industrial topic areas. If workers possess a certification from SACA, employers can feel confident they’ve already proven they have the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for working with advanced smart automation technologies. So be sure to check out SACA and all it has to offer!
- Published in News
AI Driving the Future of Auto Manufacturing
Artificial intelligence (AI): it’s in your smartphone. It’s in your web browser. It seems like it’s a part of nearly everything around us these days. And it’s about to be a big part of your experience every time you get behind the wheel of an automobile.
New technologies like AI are revolutionizing automobile manufacturing. From the surge in the production of electric vehicles (EVs) to the incorporation of advanced electronics into every part of modern vehicles, the future of automobiles is exciting and changing rapidly.
According to a Quartz article by Ece Yildirim, General Motors (GM) has decided to partner with tech giant Nvidia to leverage its AI expertise to build its next generation of self-driving cars. Specifically, “GM will use Nvidia’s Drive AGX platform, an in-vehicle computer that delivers ‘up to 1,000 trillion operations per second of high performance computer,’ and includes hardware and software to develop autonomous driving functions as well as immersive in-cabin experiences.”
Nvidia claims its AI expertise “will speed the development and deployment of safe autonomous vehicles at scale.” A lot of work remains to get to that point, though. For starters, GM will need to focus on “optimizing [its] automotive plant design and operations.”
That process has begun with GM “investing in Nvidia graphics processing units for AI model training.” The two companies are collaborating “to build custom systems to train AI manufacturing models.” For example, “GM will use the Nvidia Omniverse platform to create digital twins of their assembly lines, which will allow for virtual vehicle testing and production simulations.”
GM chair and CEO Mary Barra is excited about AI’s potential: “AI not only optimizes manufacturing processes and accelerates virtual testing but also helps us build smarter vehicles while empowering our workforce to focus on craftsmanship. By merging technology with human ingenuity, we unlock new levels of innovation in vehicle manufacturing and beyond.”
Barra’s view should be some comfort to those workers worried about being replaced by AI or other advanced automation technologies. Humans will always play an important role in the advanced manufacturing process. Unfortunately, GM and nearly every other manufacturer across the country and around the world face the same challenge: finding workers with the advanced skills to thrive in these new smart factory environments.
One solution, of course, is to either upskill current workers or hire new workers with the advanced automation technology skills they require. How can manufacturers be certain prospective workers have the skills they need?
Manufacturers should look for candidates with industry-standard credentials that prove they already possess the skills they need to thrive. For example, if workers possess a certification from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), employers can feel confident they’ve already proven they have the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for working with advanced smart automation technologies. SACA has been hard at work collaborating with industry leaders to develop a wide variety of industry-standard certifications that will help employers find workers who possess the advanced connected-systems skills they need to take their businesses to the next level. Be sure to check out SACA and all it has to offer!
- Published in News
Cybersecurity Remains Key Issue for US Manufacturers
In an increasingly digital world, the fear of an online attack is a sad reality that many people must deal with on a regular basis. For many, the worry might be that their personal financial information could be compromised and hard-earned money stolen.
On television and in movies, hackers usually target important government installations or large financial institutions. The sad reality, however, is that their targets are often seemingly innocuous companies that don’t seem like they’re particularly tech-savvy.
According to a Smart Industry article by Farès Sakka, the operational technology (OT) of manufacturers is often the target of hackers: “The U.S. has the highest concentration of OT-targeted cyberattacks anywhere in the world, accounting for a staggering 49% of all such incidents.”
Why are U.S. manufacturers so vulnerable to cyberattacks? Sakka believes the answer lies in the inherent conflicts between OT and information technology (IT) teams at manufacturers: “While IT often pushes for modernization and innovation, OT teams, responsible for the smooth operation of production lines, often resist change for fear of any disruption.”
Sakka notes that “U.S. manufacturing stands as a cornerstone of the American economy, yet it faces a critical internal challenge: the persistent friction between operational technology and information technology. This divide, characterized by differing priorities, technical languages, and even corporate structures, hinders progress and exposes organizations to significant risks.”
For example, “IT often pushes for modernization and innovation,” but “OT teams, responsible for the smooth operation of production lines, often resist change for fear of any disruption. Their reliance on legacy systems, while seemingly safe, has inadvertently created a breeding ground for escalating costs and, most alarmingly, cyberattacks.”
The time for action is now. Sakka points out that half of OT-targeted attacks “aim to seize physical control of industrial equipment, posing a direct threat to safety and operations.” Unfortunately, significant roadblocks remain in the way of effective OT-IT collaboration.
Sakka characterizes the situation as a classic “Catch-22,” noting that OT teams “fear that an embrace of IT will present new vulnerabilities. As OT systems become more interconnected, there are more ways for cybercriminals to get in or attack them. On the flip side, sticking to outdated legacy systems lacking modern security features also paves the way for cyberattacks.”
The way forward is “close collaboration” between OT and IT. According to Sakka, “[e]ducation is paramount. Encouraging collaboration and teamwork will enable a deeper understanding of factory-level challenges and needs. Creating opportunities for IT and OT teams to learn each other’s languages, understand each other’s priorities, and appreciate the interconnectedness of their roles is crucial.”
Effective cybersecurity implementation may require manufacturers to add more technology experts to their teams. Personnel with hands-on experience with advanced automation technologies used in manufacturing will play a key role in helping bridge the OT-IT divide.
It’s critical for manufacturers to hire highly skilled workers that can manage cybersecurity risks, in addition to operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing the advanced automation systems that are being implemented. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing “skills gap” issue in the manufacturing sector, finding highly skilled workers remains a significant challenge.
How can manufacturers find the workers they need? And how can they be sure that workers have the hands-on skills they need to succeed in the modern workplace? Today, more and more manufacturers are looking for workers with industry-standard certifications that prove they have the skills employers need.
For example, if workers possess a certification from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), employers can feel confident they’ve already proven they have the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for working with advanced smart automation technologies. SACA has been hard at work collaborating with industry leaders to develop a wide variety of industry-standard certifications that will help employers find workers who possess the advanced connected-systems skills they need to take their businesses to the next level. Be sure to check out SACA and all it has to offer!
- Published in News
