Solving the labor crisis: How community colleges fuel the robotics workforce - The Robot Report

The article highlights the critical role community colleges play in addressing the skilled labor shortage in the robotics and automation industry. Unlike the common perception that four-year degrees are essential for high-tech careers, community colleges provide accessible, affordable, and targeted education for technicians who assemble, test, install, and maintain robots and automated machinery. Sierra College in Rocklin, California, serves as a prime example, offering mechatronics programs that combine electronics, mechanical theory, and hands-on lab experience to prepare students for well-paying, in-demand jobs. The college actively adapts its curriculum based on industry needs, such as scaling back automotive technician training to focus on essential skills aligned with local employer requirements. Local high-tech companies like Bosch have supported Sierra College by funding curriculum development in areas like high-voltage electronics and circuit design, ensuring students gain relevant skills such as PLC ladder logic and robot programming. The program benefits from strong industry partnerships, with companies participating in advisory committees to shape course content. The college’s acquisition of industrial robots