Workforce Development through the SMART Robotics Technician Program

Creating avenues for access and supporting students for success

The rapidly growing number of robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation companies signals a crucial need for skilled technicians to build, maintain, service, and customize robotic and autonomous systems. Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy’s (CMRA) Smart Manufacturing and Advanced Robotics Training (SMART) program provides opportunities to aspiring technicians, lowers the financial barrier to course material, and bridges the gap between skilled talent and industry requirements. By supporting Workforce Development and Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, SMART ensures that students are equipped for these high-demand roles.

SMART is informed by real-world, relevant applications, offering credentials in foundational courses designed to introduce, prepare, and equip the robotics technicians of tomorrow. CMRA continually updates course material to improve alignment with the current state of operations on the ground and in the field. As requirements in the robotics, advanced manufacturing, and automation fields change, training will adapt and evolve to adequately prepare future technicians.

CMRA and its partners are intentional in making the program affordable and accessible, facilitating an initial talent pipeline of high school students interested in technical careers. By partnering with local colleges like Community College of Allegheny County and Westmoreland County Community College, CMRA further incentivizes new audiences to pursue training in the emerging robotics technician field. Graduates of the SMART program can enter community colleges’ accelerated fast-track training with credits waived due to curriculum alignment, saving thousands in tuition dollars and reducing the overall cost of attendance.

Why the SMART program?

• Teaches the KSA needed of Robotics Technicians in the industry
• Low-barrier to implementation by utilizing low-cost materials
• Utilizes CMRA's Learning Management System for Tracking Progress
• Earn credits at participating Community Colleges
• Registered PA Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Research-Based

The SMART Robotics Technician Curriculum originated as a set of five courses developed through a research project funded by the ARM Institute, known as the Smart Manufacturing and Advanced Robotics Training (SMART) Project. This comprehensive program focuses on the essential Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) required for Robotics Technicians—skilled professionals who build, maintain, and troubleshoot robotic systems across various industries. The KSAs were identified through extensive research involving industry professionals, exploring critical skills, tools, and workplace dynamics.With additional support from the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research, we have continuously updated and refined these courses. This support has allowed us to expand the curriculum to include additional robotics platforms and introduce new micro-credential topics such as Robot Operations and Autonomy Foundations. These curricula are designed to align with Workforce Development and Career and Technical Education (CTE) goals, ensuring that students develop the practical skills needed for success in this rapidly evolving field.

Learn More About the Research Behind SMART

How to Get Started

1) Preview the Curriculum

The SMART curriculum includes an estimated 200 hours of hands-on learning activities. Each micro-certification course contains units that describe real-world application examples to provide context to the student, deliver step-by-step direct instruction to construct hands-on artifacts, and end with a project to apply their newly learned knowledge and skills.

Learn More About The SMART Curriculum

2) Professional Development: Get trained to train your students

Educators that complete CMRA's training are eligible to offer Micro-Certifications for students. During the training, participants go through the material as if they are students in order to fully understand the content (and go through the same troubleshooting methods that they do), and also learn the pedagogy behind the course so that they feel confident in running the courses. The following Training offerings (and their formats) are available for SMART courses:

• Electrical Foundations [Anytime Online Training]
• Mechanical Foundations with VEX V5 [Anytime Online Training]
• Mechanical Foundations with REV DUO [Anytie Online Training]
• Software Foundations and Robotics Integration [Live Online Training]
• Fabrication Foundations [Anytime Online Training]
• Autonomy Foundations [On Demand Training]

 3) Utilize our CS-STEM Network Learning Management System

All of our courses are delivered through the CS-STEM Network (www.cs2n.org). We have tutorials to walk you through how to use the system from generating student accounts,adding activities, creating Groups, and more. 

Getting Started with CS2N

4) Certify Students

Once you have completed the training for the particular courses, you are eligible to offer student certifications. 

Find out more about our Certifications