FANUC America, in partnership with SkillsUSA, donated a state-of-the-art LR Mate 200iD robot to Pima Joint Technical Education District (JTED) in Tucson, Ariz., on Sept. 15, marking a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing.

The donation, valued at over $300,000, includes the robot and FANUC’s Certified Education Training Program (CERT) and curriculum. This comprehensive package equips students with hands-on experience using the same technology found in modern manufacturing facilities, including applications relevant to the semiconductor and microprocessor industries, which are prominent in the region.

“FANUC America and SkillsUSA are proud to support the development of tomorrow’s professionals with life-changing skills in Pima,” said Paul Aiello, Executive Director of the CERT Education Group at FANUC America. “Investing in education is more than solving today’s challenges – and it’s about building a sustainable future for advanced manufacturing. Through (CERT) and the donation of a new FANUC LR Mate robot, we aim to help grow a strong talent pipeline that connects communities, schools and industry.”

With more than 600,000 manufacturing jobs currently unfilled in the U.S., and projections suggesting that number could rise to nearly 2 million by 2033, the need for skilled talent has never been more urgent. FANUC America’s investment in education is a strategic response to this challenge, helping to build a robust talent pipeline that connects communities, schools and industry.

“I’m excited that we now have a piece of equipment used in industry that our students can get hands-on experience with – learning, practicing, and earning a certification – so that when employers review their résumés, they’ll say, ‘This is the person we need to hire,’” said Pima JTED Robotics Instructor Scott Weiler.

Pima JTED was selected to receive the donation at the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta. The selection reflects the school’s commitment to excellence in technical education and its role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry needs.

“We are honored that FANUC and SkillsUSA recognized our Robotics Program for collaborating with industry and colleges to give deserving high school students the knowledge and confidence to pursue careers in manufacturing and engineering,” said Kathy Prather, Pima JTED Superintendent and CEO. “This generous gift of a robotic arm will have a wide-reaching impact, transforming the high school experience into relevant work experience that prepares our students to fill high-demand jobs in Southern Arizona.”  

The donation also positions Pima JTED as a location where students in career and technical education (CTE) programs take standardized assessments administered by the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI). These tests evaluate both written knowledge and hands-on skills in specific occupational areas such as manufacturing, health sciences and information technology – enabling students to earn industry-recognized credentials that enhance their employability and demonstrate their readiness for high-demand roles in manufacturing.

FANUC America, in partnership with SkillsUSA, donated a state-of-the-art LR Mate 200iD robot to Pima Joint Technical Education District (JTED) in Tucson, Ariz., on Sept. 15, marking a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing.

The donation, valued at over $300,000, includes the robot and FANUC’s Certified Education Training Program (CERT) and curriculum. This comprehensive package equips students with hands-on experience using the same technology found in modern manufacturing facilities, including applications relevant to the semiconductor and microprocessor industries, which are prominent in the region.

“FANUC America and SkillsUSA are proud to support the development of tomorrow’s professionals with life-changing skills in Pima,” said Paul Aiello, Executive Director of the CERT Education Group at FANUC America. “Investing in education is more than solving today’s challenges – and it’s about building a sustainable future for advanced manufacturing. Through (CERT) and the donation of a new FANUC LR Mate robot, we aim to help grow a strong talent pipeline that connects communities, schools and industry.”

With more than 600,000 manufacturing jobs currently unfilled in the U.S., and projections suggesting that number could rise to nearly 2 million by 2033, the need for skilled talent has never been more urgent. FANUC America’s investment in education is a strategic response to this challenge, helping to build a robust talent pipeline that connects communities, schools and industry.

“I’m excited that we now have a piece of equipment used in industry that our students can get hands-on experience with – learning, practicing, and earning a certification – so that when employers review their résumés, they’ll say, ‘This is the person we need to hire,’” said Pima JTED Robotics Instructor Scott Weiler.

Pima JTED was selected to receive the donation at the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta. The selection reflects the school’s commitment to excellence in technical education and its role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry needs.

“We are honored that FANUC and SkillsUSA recognized our Robotics Program for collaborating with industry and colleges to give deserving high school students the knowledge and confidence to pursue careers in manufacturing and engineering,” said Kathy Prather, Pima JTED Superintendent and CEO. “This generous gift of a robotic arm will have a wide-reaching impact, transforming the high school experience into relevant work experience that prepares our students to fill high-demand jobs in Southern Arizona.”  

The donation also positions Pima JTED as a location where students in career and technical education (CTE) programs take standardized assessments administered by the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI). These tests evaluate both written knowledge and hands-on skills in specific occupational areas such as manufacturing, health sciences and information technology – enabling students to earn industry-recognized credentials that enhance their employability and demonstrate their readiness for high-demand roles in manufacturing.