Gaining a competitive advantage in robotics with FANUC's partner, SUM Teknik.

Task
Increase automation and robotics interest among high school students using FANUC solutions.

Solution
SUM Teknik has developed a vocational programme that is taught to students at Västervik High School using FANUC robots.

Result
Students who have taken these courses are likely to find employment straight from school in local industrial businesses.

FANUC products used

Industrial robots

From tiny delta robots to models with payloads and reaches extending to 2.3 t and 4.7 m respectively, FANUC produces the widest range of industrial robots in the world.

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At the FANUC Academy there are courses to cover every product in the FANUC portfolio.

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Automation, robotics and IoT are no longer buzzwords, but are a reality for many of today’s manufacturers. The need for technicians with expertise in automation and robotics is growing, as manufacturing becomes more automated. The knock-on effect of this is that workers have to constantly be kept up to date on the latest technologies to carry out their jobs effectively as companies change and agile methodologies are implemented. This can make it extremely difficult for those entering the job market.

SUM Teknik

SUM Teknik is one company trying to help high schools, colleges and businesses with this. Based in Gothenburg, it specializes in developing technical education products and services, including training packages tailor-made education within the field of automation. The small dedicated team have extensive experience both in industrial automation and training, making them ideal FANUC partners in this specialist area.

Since 2016, SUM Teknik has been selling FANUC's unique robot cell solutions, which are specially designed for high schools and universities. Together with the robot, the solutions enable academic centers to offer key automation skills in what is becoming an increasingly competitive market. Many leading industrial suppliers are following suit and adapting equipment and developing education programmes to meet today’s needs for technical content in the workplace.

Västervik High School

Västervik High School, in southeast Sweden, invested in a FANUC robot over a year ago for the Electricity and Energy study program. “Students get a mix of theory and practice and have the opportunity to learn all about robotics in their second year of studies,” says Johan Lander, a teacher at the school.

“This prepares them for an exciting future and can most likely help them find employment locally, once they’ve graduated.”

The need for competent people within automation has increased dramatically in recent years. This is good news for students at schools such as Västervik high School, as they have a great chance of being employed directly after their studies. Students can also do part of their studying abroad, giving them greater opportunity to seek employment elsewhere.

“Students who choose the electricity and energy program get a broad education at high school, and they end up working in an industry that is constantly moving forward,” says Anders Fritzén of SUM Teknik. “Västervik High School is one of about 20 academic centers with a FANUC robot. It’s a great example of a school where the education lives up to today's demands for vocational skills while ensuring students are ready for working life.”

WorldSkills

FANUC is also the proud partner of the international competence organization WorldSkills. Together, they will be jointly marketing young robot developers of the future. They have already taken part in a national event in France and later in the year will be hosting a global contest for young students in Kazan, Russia, with participants from 60 countries and over 250,000 visitors.