Inside the Making of a SACA Certification
What are SACA certifications and how are they developed?
In a time when technology is advancing faster than ever, it’s almost impossible to avoid conversations about Industry 4.0. As smart devices, connected systems, and data‑driven processes become the backbone of modern operations, employers need workers who can navigate this complexity with confidence.
That’s where the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) comes in. SACA certifications provide tangible proof of both intellectual knowledge and hands-on skills.
What truly sets SACA apart is how these certifications are built. They’re built by industry, for industry, through a rigorous, collaborative process that brings together leading industry experts from around the world.
I think anyone that works in industry right now feels the need for highly skilled technicians with the way manufacturing is headed with industry 4.0, the need for highly skilled and trained individuals, especially younger individuals coming right out of high school is heavily needed in the industry.”
– Ian Barnes, Sr Training Instructor, Rivian
Developing International Skill Standards
The development of a SACA certification starts with the development of skill standards. Skill standards are performance specifications that identify the knowledge and competencies an individual needs to succeed in a specific topic area. They document the skills, knowledge, and performance standards that employers require from their workers, and serve as a vehicle to communicate that information to education and training providers.
The first step of truly industry-backed certifications is forming a technical workgroup of subject matter experts from industry-leading companies. These workgroups will meet several times to develop a draft standard that is then sent out for regional validation across the United States and internationally.
These regional validation meetings pull in their local industry experts to review the standards and offer any feedback on regional specifications that may need to be addressed. The technical workgroup will meet for a final time to adjust the standards from this feedback. Once approved, the standards become published as a national industry standard that can be used by other organizations and for curriculum development.
Development of Certification Exams
Once skill standards have been approved, another technical workgroup begins the process of developing both cognitive and hands-on assessments. SACA certifications are aligned to ISO 17024, so they follow a detailed systematic process to ensure that the examinations are both valid and reliable.
Validity is the ability of the exam to measure that which it is intended to measure. Reliability is the index of how accurately the examination measures the candidate’s skills and is a necessary condition to achieve exam validity.
Industry experts serving on technical workgroups start by conducting a comprehensive job task analysis grounded in the nationally recognized skill standards. This ensures every certification reflects the real tasks, technologies, and responsibilities found in modern connected workplaces, not outdated assumptions or isolated competencies.
From there, the workgroups translate those findings into a detailed exam blueprint. This blueprint becomes the roadmap for the entire credential, outlining the knowledge, hands‑on skills, and performance expectations that must be measured.
Every item then undergoes a rigorous review and validation process. Industry and education partners evaluate each question and task to confirm accuracy, clarity, and alignment with current technologies. Once validated, the items are assembled into pilot exams and offered to members for pilot testing.
After pilot testing, SACA conducts a statistical analysis of the results to identify patterns, validate item performance, and refine the exam. This data‑driven approach allows the organization to construct multiple equivalent exam forms, ensuring fairness and consistency across testing environments. With the forms finalized, SACA establishes the passing score using industry‑accepted standard‑setting methods that reflect true job readiness.
But the process doesn’t end there. Because technology and workforce needs evolve rapidly, SACA provides ongoing test maintenance and updates to keep pace with Industry 4.0 advancements.
The Value of SACA Certifications
In today’s connected operations, the difference between knowing about a technology and knowing how to work with it is enormous. That’s why hands‑on certifications have become so valuable. They move beyond theoretical understanding and require individuals to demonstrate real skills on real equipment.
SACA’s vision is to provide certifications that significantly increase the number of individuals who possess the skills represented by these credentials. This will ensure that companies have the highly-skilled workers they need, and individuals are prepared to be successful in Smart Factory jobs.
For employers, this level of validation is indispensable. It eliminates guesswork and provides clear evidence that a candidate can step into a modern facility and contribute from day one. For educators, SACA certifications provide a standardize set of competencies validated by industry around which programs and courses can be designed.
Being built by industry experts, SACA certifications are directly made for industry needs. These experts know which technologies are being adopted, which skills are in short supply, and which tasks truly separate a job‑ready technician from someone who still needs training. Their insight keeps SACA certifications grounded in real workflows, real equipment, and real expectations, giving employers confidence that certified individuals can step into modern operations and contribute right away.
Are you interested in utilizing SACA certifications for your own company’s training? Learn more about Industry Memberships here. And see 3 Reasons World-Class Manufacturers Hire Candidates with SACA Certifications.
Are you a school looking at preparing your students for a career in Industry 4.0? Learn more about Education Memberships here.
Want to learn more about the best use cases of SACA certifications across the country? Join us at the SACA National Conference August 10-11, 2026 in Menomonie, WI.
- Published in Posts, Technology
New Process Control and Instrumentation Certifications Are Shaping the Next Generation of Technicians
Two New Instrumentation Micro-Credentials Enter Pilot Testing Phase
The world of process control is changing faster than most plants can keep up and employers are feeling the pressure. Smart instrumentation, tighter tolerances, and data‑driven operations are transforming everyday manufacturing practices, especially in sectors where precision is non‑negotiable like power generation, petrochemicals, food processing, chemical manufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, refineries, and water treatment. These industries depend on technicians who can keep complex systems stable, safe, and efficient, yet thousands of open positions remain unfilled.
With so much riding on accurate measurement, reliable instrumentation, and well‑tuned control loops, the pressure on the workforce has never been higher. So when the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) set out to build its new Process Control & Instrumentation credentials, it made perfect sense to work directly with the people who face these challenges every day.
Industry leaders shaped every detail of the standards, with Endress+Hauser hosting SACA’s Process Control Technical Work Group at its U.S. headquarters in Greenwood, Indiana, and again at its Pearland, Texas campus, bringing together experts from the field to define what real‑world competency should look like in today’s rapidly evolving process landscape.
Reducing Risk Through Verified, Hands‑On Competency
As industry advances, the conversation has shifted from simply finding talent to ensuring that talent is truly prepared for the realities of modern processing environments. Standardized, hands-on credentials, like SACA, take the guesswork out of hiring and onboarding by proving that a technician can perform the tasks the job requires. Instead of hoping someone’s experience translates, employers get clear evidence of real‑world competency.
When discussing why hands-on credentialing is important, Jerry Spindler, of Endress+Hauser, says SACA credentials lead to “familiarity and comfort with the technology as a new hire, and being able to ramp-up quickly in their new roles.” They also lead to a quicker ROI since there is less time for an employee to integrate after hiring.
For all employers, the value of these credentials starts with consistency. By defining clear, performance‑based standards, SACA gives industry a reliable way to benchmark what competent truly means in process control and instrumentation. A workforce built on demonstrated ability is also a workforce that can adapt. As plants introduce new technologies, upgrade instrumentation, or shift toward more data‑driven operations, technicians with validated foundational skills are better positioned to learn, grow, and take on more advanced responsibilities.
Solving Workforce Challenges
Along with other workforce challenges, like generational talent shortages and advancing technology, companies across the process industry realize the importance of setting an industry standard and a more consistent, validated way to prepare the next generation of process control talent.
Plants are becoming more automated, and employers are feeling the strain of trying to develop talent quickly enough to keep up. Internal training programs vary widely from one facility to the next, and on‑the‑job learning alone can’t always provide the depth or consistency needed for such high‑stakes work. Companies are looking for a way to ensure every technician, regardless of where they come from, has demonstrated the same core competencies.
The responsibility for preparing tomorrow’s process control technicians doesn’t rest solely with employers. Education and training providers play an equally critical role, and they need well‑defined, industry‑validated standards to guide how they teach, assess, and develop emerging talent.
Educators want to prepare students for real careers, yet without direct alignment to industry expectations, it’s easy for programs to drift toward theory or outdated practices. That’s why these credentials matter just as much to education as they do to employers. They provide a roadmap for what students must be able to know and do and expose them to careers they might not have known existed.
“Graduates can also settle into their new positions more quickly and confidently and be able to make immediate contributions to their organizations since they would not be working with equipment they are unfamiliar with,” explains Spindler.
Developing Credentials for the Nex Generation
As process industries continue to evolve, the role of the technician is evolving with them. Smart instrumentation, advanced analytics, and increasingly autonomous systems are reshaping what it means to work in process control. Tomorrow’s technicians won’t just maintain equipment, they’ll interpret data, optimize performance, and make decisions that directly influence safety, quality, and efficiency.
SACA’s Process Control and Instrumentation credentials were built with that future in mind. They validate the foundational skills technicians need today while creating a framework that can grow as technology advances, ensuring the workforce stays aligned with the realities of modern operations.
Two of the first micro-credentials are currently available for pilot testing: C-261 (Process Measurement Instrumentation 1) and C-262 (Process Measurement Instrumentation 2). Members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these first credentials and offer testing.
The newly released Process Control and Instrumentation credentials cover the current analog technologies still widely used across industry, but they represent just one piece of what the future workforce will need. As more facilities transition to digital instruments, smart devices, and networked control systems, additional credentials will be needed to prepare students and emerging technicians.
Stay up to date on future credential updates by signing up for our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/saca/z4exl2d8ho
Interested in taking pilot tests but not a member? Learn more here: https://www.saca.org/smart-automation-certification-membership/
- Published in Posts, Technology
SACA & CESMII to Host Technical Work Group
The Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) has partnered with CESMII to develop certification standards for Smart Manufacturing in Smart Manufacturing OT-IT Integration and Semi-Autonomous Intelligence.
Now, industry experts are needed to validate these standards. This is an opportunity for your organization to have input on the skills and competencies needed for today’s smart manufacturing workforce. The exclusive Technical Work Group will meet on April 16th, 2026, at Rockwell Automation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Your input will be used to create nationally-recognized, occupation-driven certifications. Schools and training programs will use these standards to guide their Industry 4.0, IIoT, and artificial intelligence programs.
Additionally, SACA will seek your feedback on future needs of industry and technology trends that will help shape their strategy moving forward.
Benefits of Participating
- Recognition as a national leader in smart manufacturing, IIoT, and AI
- Gain first access to state-of-the-industry skills standards
- Ensure your company’s skill needs are addressed by a nationally-recognized certification
The Details
April 16, 2026 from 10 am – 2 pm
Rockwell Automation, 1201 S. 2nd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Plan to attend? RSVP here.
Credential Standards
C-221: Smart Manufacturing OT-IT Integrations
The purpose of this credential is to certify that individuals can configure and operate various types of edge and cloud software including SCADA, OPC-UA server, MQTT broker, and SQL Database to enable real-time data exchange with open standards like OPC UA and MQTT between automation equipment and IIoT sensors (a.k.a. Operational Technology – OT), and enterprise systems like Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems (considered part of the Information Technology systems – IT) . Individuals shall also demonstrate the ability to configure various types of visualizations and organization of the data for use in dashboards and analytical applications.
C-222: Smart Manufacturing OT-IT Semi-Autonomous Intelligence
The purpose of this credential is to certify that individuals have the foundational skills for designing and working with a Unified Namespace (UNS) to organize and contextualize IIoT data from industrial systems. Individuals will demonstrate the ability to collect, model, and prepare operational data for downstream use, including analytics and AI-enabled applications. The credential emphasizes preparing high-quality, well-structured data suitable for programmatic or AI-based workflows, and includes practical experience using Python to access, transform, and analyze industrial data.
- Published in News, Technology
SACA Releases New Credentials for Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and Battery Fundamentals
The Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) is pleased to announce the release of five new credentials covering electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and battery fundamentals into pilot testing.
- C-110 Lithium-Ion Battery Fundamentals
- C-111 EV/Battery Precision Inspection
- C-112 EV/Battery Manufacturing Systems 1
- C-113 EV/Battery Maintenance Operations
- C-114 EV/Battery Manufacturing Systems 2
These credential standards cover core competencies of EV battery manufacturing, including: lithium-ion battery technology, electrical components of battery and hybrid vehicles, foundational measurement skills, manufacturing and production, preventative and predictive maintenance, and quality. Full descriptions of each credential can be found here.
As automakers, suppliers, and advanced manufacturers accelerate their transition to electrification, the demand for technicians with validated EV manufacturing and battery competencies has surged. SACA’s new certifications provide a standardized, industry‑recognized pathway for developing and verifying those skills.
Developed in collaboration with leading automotive manufacturers, the “Big Three”, workforce organizations, and industry associations, SACA’s EV Manufacturing and Battery Certifications focus on the core competencies required for safe, effective work in EV production, battery assembly, testing, and maintenance environments.
Drew Coleman, Senior Director of MichAuto, highlighted the upcoming certifications stating, “There is a solution that we’re building, that will help [educators] prepare their schools and their students for this technology.”
The launch comes at a pivotal moment for the U.S. manufacturing landscape. With billions of dollars in EV and battery investments underway nationwide, these credentials provide a critical tool for workforce development programs, community colleges, high schools, and employers seeking to build talent pipelines for high‑growth electrification careers.
SACA would like to thank the following organizations for their participation in the pilot process of these micro-credentials: Alamance Community College, Guilford Technical College, Henry Ford College, Ivy Tech-Kokomo Campus, Jackson College, Lucid Motors, Mott Community College, Michigan Workforce Training and Education Collaborative (MWTEC), Oakland Community College, Ogeechee Technical College, Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America, Randolph Community College, Truckee Meadows Community College, West Georgia Technical College.
Thanks to these organizations and their expertise on the skills and competencies needed for today’s smart manufacturing workforce, SACA was able to create these new nationally recognized, occupation-driven standards.
- Published in News, Technology
Strengthening Workforce Pipelines Though Third-Party Credentials in Education
Walk into any modern plant or fulfillment center and you’ll see robotics and automated systems running the show. What you won’t always see is the skilled talent needed to keep those systems operating. The gap between technology and workforce readiness is widening, and employers are feeling the strain.
But industry can’t close this gap alone. Education partners play a critical role in preparing learners long before they enter the workforce, and the most effective institutions are those that align their programs with real employer expectations.
The Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) is emerging as a bridge for industry to finally get the consistent, validated skills they’ve been asking for.
Schools that adopt SACA are embedding hands-on, competency-based training that mirrors what technicians will encounter on the job. This alignment ensures that students graduate with both the confidence and the credentials to step directly into high-skill roles, reducing onboarding time and strengthening the talent pipeline for employers.
Everyone benefits when industry and education work from the same playbook. Employers gain access to job‑ready talent with verified skills. Schools strengthen their programs and demonstrate clear value to students and regional partners. And learners earn portable, stackable certifications that open doors to high‑wage, high‑demand careers. SACA sits at the center of this ecosystem, creating a shared language of skills that connects classrooms to careers and helps companies build the workforce they need to thrive.
Scaling Talent at Amazon
As more employers search for ways to build a workforce capable of supporting advanced automation, some are taking bold steps to redefine what technical training looks like. Amazon is one of them. Faced with the challenge of developing maintenance technicians across a massive national footprint, the company needed a scalable, consistent way to validate skills.
Amazon’s Reliability and Maintenance Engineering (RME) team oversees all industrial maintenance across all distribution centers across the country. The RME Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship (MRA) started in 2020 and is designed to take individuals with little to no maintenance background and build them into fully capable technicians. Apprentices begin with 12 weeks of intensive classroom and hands‑on training, where they learn foundational electrical, mechanical, and automation concepts while earning eight industry‑recognized SACA credentials.
In speaking with The TechEd Podcast, Logan Schulz, Senior Manager of Reliability & Maintenance Engineering at Amazon says, “One of the reasons we chose SACA was to reflect ourselves against the industry standard and to create something that is transferable.”
After completing the classroom portion, apprentices transition into 2,000 hours of structured on‑the‑job training. They progress through a series of clearly defined benchmarks that reinforce their skills in real operating environments. By the end of the program, apprentices are prepared to step into Amazon’s Mechatronics and Robotics Technician role, equipped with both the theoretical knowledge and the practical experience needed to succeed.
This dual-training model gives Amazon a powerful way to grow its own talent. Like many employers, Amazon is navigating a widening retirement gap as experienced technicians leave the workforce faster than new ones can be trained. At the same time, the rapid evolution of automation and robotics demands a baseline of transferable skills that can adapt as technology changes. By embedding SACA certifications into the apprenticeship pathway, Amazon ensures every apprentice develops a consistent, future-ready foundation.
The success of Amazon’s apprenticeship model demonstrates the power of pairing hands-on training with industry-recognized credentials. With SACA at the core, Amazon is developing technicians who are ready for today’s systems and prepared for whatever comes next.
Ogeechee Tech Turns Industry Standards into Student Success
Logan also states that one of Amazon’s partner schools for the MRE Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship is Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, GA. For more than five years, Ogeechee has been one of SACA’s earliest and most committed higher education partners, weaving industry-recognized credentials into a mission built around delivering a skilled workforce to the communities it serves.
As a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Ogeechee supports learners across Bulloch, Evans, and Screven counties through student-focused programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and flexible learning pathways that meet the demands of today’s in-demand careers.
Ogeechee has become a standout example of how higher education can translate industry standards into real student outcomes. By integrating SACA certifications into student pathways, Ogeechee ensures that graduates enter the workforce with a shared language of skills. One that resonates with employers and reflects the college’s mission to deliver a highly skilled workforce to the communities it serves.
When speaking about SACA, Vice President for Economic Development Jan Moore said, “What higher education should be doing is looking for ways their students can demonstrate the skills that they have when they leave that institution. And if you’re not using something like SACA to do that, you’re doing your student a disservice.”
For employers, leveraging SACA credentials offers a direct path to building a workforce that’s both consistent and future-ready. Rather than hoping new hires have the right technical strengths, employers can turn to a nationally recognized standard that clearly validates a technician’s capabilities.
This shared benchmark not only streamlines hiring and onboarding, it also ensures that workers bring transferable, adaptable competencies that hold up as technology evolves. It’s why partners across advanced manufacturing, logistics, and technical services increasingly look to educational partners, like Ogeechee Tech, to deliver graduates who are prepared to contribute from day one.
As automation accelerates, companies need technicians who can troubleshoot confidently and keep production running without disruption. “I think that due to the amount of automation that’s coming into processes, quality is extremely important now to manufacturers,” explains Jan Moore.
Ogeechee’s integration of SACA credentials reflects a deep understanding of what modern employers need and what students deserve. By aligning curriculum, facilities, and partnerships around a shared skills standard, the college delivers graduates with the confidence and capability to step into advanced technical roles. It’s a powerful example of how higher education can elevate both opportunity and industry readiness.
When education and industry speak the same language
Everyone moves forward faster when education and industry speak the same language. Shared skill standards like SACA create a direct bridge between what students learn in the classroom and what employers need on the job, eliminating the guesswork on both sides.
Students gain clarity, confidence, and credentials that carry weight across industries, while employers benefit from a talent pipeline built on verified, transferable competencies. It’s the kind of alignment that turns training into opportunity and workforce challenges into long-term solutions.
Employers benefit just as much from this shared standard. With SACA, they no longer have to interpret résumés or assume what a candidate can do; they can trust that certified technicians bring validated, consistent skills in mechanical, electrical, and automation systems. Employers benefit just as much from this shared standard. With SACA, they can trust that certified technicians bring validated, consistent skills in mechanical, electrical, and automation systems.
What’s happening at places like Ogeechee Tech and across SACA’s partner network shows what’s possible when everyone commits to a shared vision of workforce excellence. As more schools and employers adopt these standards, students gain clearer pathways and companies gain talent they can trust. It’s a shift that strengthens communities today and builds a more resilient workforce for tomorrow.
Interested in having your institution become a SACA member? Check out our full member benefits for industry and education.
Looking to see what certifications your organization can utilize in training or programming? Check out our current list of credentials.
- Published in News, Technology
New Collaborative Robot System Operations Certification Announced by the Smart Automation Certification Alliance
Collaborative robots (cobots) are rapidly reshaping modern manufacturing, blending human problem solving with robotic precision since they first gained widespread attention in 2008. As industries adopt more advanced automation, the demand for technicians who understand how to safely operate, program, and collaborate with these systems is accelerating.
A cobot is a type of automation designed to work directly alongside human operators, sharing tasks and physical space in a way traditional industrial robots can’t. Their purpose isn’t to replace people but to enhance human capability, handling repetitive, precise, or ergonomically challenging tasks while workers focus on problem‑solving, quality, and higher‑value responsibilities. This human‑robot partnership is becoming a defining feature of modern smart manufacturing.
To support this shift, the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) has developed a new certification that assesses and validates individuals’ understanding of cobot technology. These standards are being built with direct input from industry and education partners to ensure they reflect the competencies needed on today’s smart factory floor.
The Importance of Cobot Certifications
A certification in collaborative robotics is becoming increasingly valuable as industries accelerate their adoption of human‑robot teamwork. Because effective cobot integration relies on strong safety practices and a strong understanding of how robots operate, employers need assurance that workers have been trained to meet these expectations. A recognized credential signals that an individual understands the safety standards, interaction principles, and technical skills required to work productively with cobots.
It also demonstrates readiness for continuous learning as the technology evolves. In a workforce where human‑robot collaboration is quickly becoming the norm, certifications provide a trusted way for employers to identify talent that is prepared, capable, and aligned with modern automation needs.
As with all SACA certifications, the development of the Collaborative Robot System Operations 1 credential began with a technical work group to define the industry-standard competencies required for working with collaborative robot technology.
Comprised of leading global robotics manufacturers, technical experts and education leaders, the work group partnered with Vincennes University and its Center for Applied Robotics and Automation, who hosted the event.
Kimberly Wright, Director of the Center, says, “This new certification reflects the power of collaboration between education and industry. By working with SACA, Vincennes University is able to embed industry-driven credentials into our career pathways, ensuring learners are prepared for the evolving demands of collaborative robotics and advanced manufacturing.”
Collaborative Robot System Operations
The Collaborative Robot System Operations 1 credential certifies individuals to safely operate and program a collaborative robot within an industrial collaborative workspace. Skills include identifying and applying collaborative safety principles, how automation safety devices function, defining soft-limits, and employing a virtual safety fence in software. Individuals will develop foundational programming skills, including recording and touching up motion points, creating variable arrays for position recording, and using logic operations.
Obtaining a cobot certification strengthens a student’s knowledge of advanced manufacturing systems. As facilities integrate more automation, employers need individuals who understand how to operate, program, and monitor these systems with precision and confidence. Learning cobot fundamentals gives students the technical fluency required to contribute on day one in environments where automation and human oversight are tightly interconnected.
This certification arrives at a pivotal moment for industry and education alike. As collaborative robots become standard tools on the modern factory floor, employers need a reliable way to identify individuals who can operate, program, and maintain these systems safely and effectively.
By aligning its standards with real industrial practices and emerging workforce needs, SACA gives members a clear pathway to evaluate how their current programs measure up and where they may need to evolve.
The full certification description is available to all SACA members, and we encourage institutions to review the standards closely. Doing so provides a clear picture of how existing programs can align with the certification requirements and where updates or redevelopment may be needed to fully support this emerging area of collaborative automation.
Interested in having your institution become a SACA member? Check out our full member benefits for industry and education.
- Published in News, Technology
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 News, Technology
Could Technology Consolidation Bridge the Manufacturing Skills Gap?
Everyone knows about the manufacturing skills gap, right? In a nutshell, there are hundreds of thousands of open manufacturing positions that companies are having a hard time filling. And they’ve been having a hard time filling positions for years now. Why is that?
Experts began using the term “skills gap” years ago to reflect the fact that manufacturers utilizing new advanced automation technologies needed not only more workers, but workers who possessed more advanced skills than ever before. Simply put, the demand for highly skilled workers far exceeds the current supply. In fact, Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute estimate that 1.9 million manufacturing jobs could remain unfilled by the year 2033 if things don’t change.
In a recent SupplyChainBrain article, author Josh Cranfill discusses the curious role that technology plays in the ongoing manufacturing skills gap problem. Cranfill notes that “[a]utomation…is a double-edge sword, capable of accelerating production and reducing the need for humans on the shop floor, yet also creating new opportunities, especially since many manufacturers have a long way to go on their digital transformation.”
Cranfill highlights some of the struggles that manufacturers face as they implement more and more technology: “the rise of digital transformation in manufacturing has resulted in a glut of digital tools being used alongside paper-based processes. For teams and individuals, digital tools are a great way to streamline and automate what were once time-consuming and redundant tasks. Yet they also create information silos that mask big-picture views of what’s happening throughout the company.”
Why is this an issue? Cranfill elaborates: “When you have information silos and still rely on paper processes, it takes longer than expected for employees to create weekly or quarterly reports. It’s also impossible to quickly generate a snapshot of what’s happening on the shop floor, or gain a greater understanding of how a snag in the supply chain will cause a ripple effect on customers, staff and distributors. A recent productivity survey found that employees are spending 11 or more hours each week reconciling data to get that big-picture view. Imagine the frustration of employees having to regularly track down information and rekey data to create reports.”
What can manufacturers do to improve productivity while also reducing employee frustration? Cranfill believes technology consolidation, especially amongst software solutions, may be the answer. The author is quick to note that “[t]his doesn’t mean they’re ditching their investments in software with the goal of having less on their plate. Instead, they’re taking a hard look at what employees need to run the business, and which tools are duplicative.”
Can this really help bridge the skills gap? Cranfill is hopeful, because he believes that “the strategic use of technology to streamline information sources and digital tools enables manufacturers to close labor gaps by evaluating which systems and processes undermine productivity. When critical information is centralized and easily accessed through a work-management platform, employees are no longer spending valuable time recreating reports. That’s a plus for both productivity and employee retention.”
Such an approach can also facilitate better training. Cranfill points out that “[h]aving consistent sources of digital information on newer platforms makes training easier, especially since 71% of manufacturers report hiring less skilled workers while increasing on-the-job training. This also appeals to generations who want to work with the latest technologies, and acquire skills that make them attractive to a variety of employers, as opposed to mastering legacy technology.”
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, Technology
Can AI Help Bridge the Manufacturing Skills Gap?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock over the course of the past year, then you’ve definitely heard of—and possibly even used—generative artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT. AI has really taken off over the past year or more, and it’s easy to see how useful it can be in areas like software programming and marketing.
But what about manufacturing? With an ongoing skills gap making the manufacturing labor market especially tight, manufacturers are searching for any way to increase productivity and efficiency. Could AI be a solution to their problems?
Those familiar with manufacturing already know that change usually happens incrementally. That’s a polite word for slowly, by the way. AI, however, is a technology associated with exponential, rapid change. Does such technology have a place in the world of manufacturing?
In a recent Chief Executive article, author Dan Bigman details his conversations with Pavan Muzumdar, chief operating officer of Automation Alley, Michigan’s Industry 4.0 knowledge center. According to Muzumdar, generative AI, like ChatGPT, can have a positive impact in manufacturing, if it’s implemented in the right way for the right reasons.
For example, Muzumdar recommends manufacturers “use gen AI to get started on something, use gen AI for ideation, use gen AI to kind of get you a little bit further ahead. But don’t use gen AI for completion.”
Muzumdar also advises that manufacturers “[b]e very cautious in using gen AI for factual information…whatever you ask AI to do, ask it so that the output that you get is in a chunk that you can independently verify. You can get great value, but make sure that you’re doing this ‘trust but verify’ type of approach.”
One successful application many manufacturers have found for AI is helping with old technologies. Many new manufacturing hires don’t know older programming languages, like COBOL, that might still be used in legacy systems. Generative AI can help new programmers decipher old code and write new code in languages they’re not familiar with.
Likewise, generative AI can help a new worker who understands general programming but not, for example, something specific to manufacturing, like CNC programming. According to Muzumdar, these workers “can kind of inductively learn how to do CNC programming just with the help of gen AI. But again, don’t trust it fully; learn how to use it and then verify that by making sure that you’re actually doing some physical tests to see that it’s actually giving you the results.”
Bigman believes that manufacturers should remember that “a gen AI like ChatGPT has digested almost every user’s manual and how-to guide, best practice guide on almost every machine that’s sitting on your shop floor.” Even if it can’t solve every one of your problems, it can accelerate understanding and speed along the process.
Muzumdar agrees, reminding that “[i]t’s not AI, it’s human plus AI. How can I empower my own staff to be much more open about it, knowing that it has limitations, but even things with limitations can have substantial value in making us much more productive.”
Even if AI does not replace workers, the workers of today and tomorrow will need to learn new skills to keep pace with the advanced technologies being implemented in the modern workplace. That’s why manufacturers are increasingly looking to hire highly skilled workers that can operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair advanced automation systems.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing “skills gap” facing industries across the country, finding highly skilled workers remains a significant challenge. How can employers 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, Posts, Technology
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