ABB’s Ozark, Arkansas, U.S., motor manufacturing facility and Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus have developed a career readiness pilot program to foster skills necessary to support the growing role of technology in the advanced manufacturing sector. The goal of the program is to teach students the fundamentals of manufacturing technologies and shorten the time and expense of onboarding new temporary employees at the company’s NEMA low-voltage electric motor plant.
The C-101 Certified Industry 4.0 Associate 1 – Basic Operations course is an introductory credential that prepares students to succeed in modern production environments that use Industry 4.0 controls, automation and processes. It is appropriate for any individual working in an advanced manufacturing occupation.
The course teaches basic operations competencies, such as concepts of smart manufacturing, setup and operation of smart machines, precision measurement, robotics operation and production monitoring technologies. The five-week course also includes training in ABB’s production systems, specific training in motor assembly, brazing and line load and culminates with a formal industry certification.
“This program is an effective workforce development initiative for the entire region,” said Greg Dawson, human resources business partner at ABB’s Ozark plant. “Instead of bringing in a temp and starting him or her from scratch, we are pre-training our candidates to succeed in our manufacturing operations. It’s a pilot program, but so far, it’s doing well.”
The program is doing so well that 100 percent of the ABB pre-career training students in the first class passed the SACA Certified Industry 4.0 Associate - Basic Operations exam, which covers a wide range of advanced manufacturing topics. And, students may be eligible to have the full cost of the program covered through the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Grant.
ABB’s motor manufacturing facility in Ozark, Arkansas, U.S, is the region’s third-largest employer and manufactures nearly 3,000 Baldor-Reliance NEMA industrial electric motors every week. These seven-and-a-half to 30 horsepower NEMA 250-frame steel and cast-iron motors are used to power fans, pumps and blowers – and other systems – that keep air, liquid and even data flowing safely and efficiently. The facility employs more than 210 people with an average tenure of 11 years. Watch this video to learn more about what it means to live and work in Ozark, the sense of community and family that comes from being a member of ABB, and how the plant’s presence is mutually beneficial to the company and the Ozark region.
ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 140 years of excellence, ABB’s more than 105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation.
ABB Motion keeps the world turning – while saving energy every day. We innovate and push the boundaries of technology to enable the low-carbon future for customers, industries and societies. With our digitally enabled drives, motors and services our customers and partners achieve better performance, safety and reliability. We offer a combination of domain expertise and technology to deliver the optimum drive and motor solution for a wide range of applications in all industrial segments. Through our global presence, we are always close to serve our customers. Building on more than 130 years of cumulative experience in electric powertrains, we learn and improve every day. go.abb/motion
