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3. Workforce Readiness Challenge, presented by the ARM Institute - High School

The manufacturing industry is evolving and new technologies are emerging. This is commonly known as Advanced Manufacturing, where manufacturers are integrating more robotic and automation solutions into their processes. One of the main challenges of this shift is that technological advancements and their associated career pathways can outpace the skill attainment of the manufacturing workforce. RoboticsCareer.org is a resource developed by the ARM Institute for education seekers, job seekers, training providers, and employers to identify the necessary Advanced Manufacturing robotic competencies and highlight training that maps to the competencies. In this challenge, teams will develop a comprehensive plan to support an industry's transition to these new automated manufacturing processes. Participants must identify a specific process that will be automated. Once that process is identified, the team must utilize the resources found in RoboticsCareer.org (https://www.roboticscareer.org/) to clearly outline the competencies needed for an employee to be successful. The team will next utilize RoboticsCareer.org to find training to upskill the existing employees to adapt to new technologies. They will also design a recruitment strategy for attracting new talent and identify schools from RoboticsCareer.org from which they can recruit new hires. The final step in the challenge is for the team to provide a cost-saving outlook for the industry.

Visit this link for a printable summary of this challenge.

 

Prizes

One (1) Winner: $500 VEX Robotics gift certificate; if the winning entry is from a team that has competed in their program with a physical robot during their competition season, they will also receive an automatic qualification to the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship

Four (4) Finalists: $100 VEX Robotics gift certificate

Finalists and winners will be selected at each of the following grade levels, for a total of two prize packages.

• High School 

• College

Eligibility

Teams must be part of a registered VEX Robotics team for the current season.

This page is for High School entries only - if you are any other program or grade level, please refer to the Online Challenge listings to find the correct page for your program and grade level.

• Only one entry per team is permitted. However, each team in a multi-team school or club program may submit one entry. For example, teams 123A and 123B could each submit an entry, but team 123A could not submit two entries. Entries must vary in content and presentation to be considered separate entries. 

• Entries submitted in previous years’ Online Challenges are not eligible for submission this year.

By uploading a submission to an REC Foundation Online Challenge, you agree to follow the Submission Guidelines and certify that you understand the Intellectual Property Rights held by you and the REC Foundation regarding your submission. Please review the Submission Guidelines and Intellectual Property Rights information at this link before uploading your submission.

Requirements

Each team must submit a detailed white paper outlining the transition to an automated manufacturing process. This paper should encompass a comprehensive training program, professional development resources, and a recruitment strategy aimed at attracting new talent. Teams must utilize RoboticsCareer.org (available at https://www.roboticscareer.org/search) as a primary resource, though they are encouraged to supplement their submission with additional relevant materials.

Submissions should be presented from the perspective of the employer company. However, teams may also incorporate arguments from the worker's viewpoint if it enhances their presentation. This is acceptable under the guidelines and can be advantageous, as one of the scoring criteria emphasizes industry relevance.

• Participants can choose from a range of topics, including but not limited to:

  • Automating Quality Control in Electronics Manufacturing

  • Automation in the Food and Beverage Industry

  • Robotic Welding in Automotive Manufacturing

  • Textile Industry: Automating Weaving and Fabric Cutting

  • Automating Pharmaceutical Packaging

  • Agricultural Industry: Automating Harvesting Processes

  • 3D Printing in Custom Manufacturing

  • Automating Sorting and Recycling in Waste Management

  • Furniture Manufacturing: Automating Assembly Lines

  • Paper and Pulp Industry: Automating Paper Cutting and Packaging

Minimum Requirements

The following outlines the minimum requirements and upload instructions for each Online Challenge. Please note that only the primary contact for your team is authorized to upload your submission.

A PDF submission must meet these minimum requirements in order to be judged.

1. Entry is created and produced solely by student team members.

2. Format: One PDF file (up to 20MB) that includes all content, including images. A submission created in any other format must be converted or printed to a PDF file for upload. Submissions in other formats will not be reviewed. 

3. Title Page:  Each entry must include a title page that includes:

   • Title of submission

   • Names of students who participated (using first names only is acceptable)

   • Team number 

   • Location of school/organization

Intellectual Property Rights

Your submissions help the REC Foundation further our mission. You will retain all rights to any material you submit, including ownership if applicable. The REC Foundation will endeavor to credit all submissions with the appropriate team number when used in part or in whole.

By submitting entry for an REC Foundation Online Challenge, you grant the REC Foundation and its related entities such as existing and/or potential sponsors and partners a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive right in perpetuity to use any part of the submission for any purpose, including but not limited to:

• Display of all or part of the submission on REC Foundation websites.

• Allowing third parties, including but not limited to REC Foundation partners, sponsors, and individuals, to share all or part of the submission on social media.

• Use of all or part of the submission on the Internet and in social media in support of the REC Foundation mission.

• Use of all or part of the submission in the REC Foundation’s and related entities’ internal and external communications and marketing materials including but not limited to web sites and web publications, fact sheets, fundraising publications, advertising, multimedia, displays, presentation and membership services, annual report, and newsletters.

• Providing all or part of the submission to other individuals and organizations for REC Foundation- and related entities’-related use in news stories, social media, newsletters, reports, slide shows, displays, web pages, videos, and the like.

Upload Instructions

Note: Beginning with the 2023-24 season, challenge entries must be uploaded by the primary contact for a registered team. This individual should ensure that the submission meets all requirements and criteria before uploading.

1. Click the green Submit an Entry button on the right side of the screen.

2. Fill out the submission form and add an optional description of the entry to the Short Description field.

3. Ensure you are entering the correct team number and letter, with no spaces.

4. Click Save.

5. Click the blue Files /Images button in the upper right of the screen.

6. Drag/drop your PDF file into the Upload a File box, then refresh if needed to view file details below the Upload a File box.

7. Edit the Display Name and file information to include your entry title and your team number; for example, "MathWorks Challenge entry, team 007x."

8. Click on Save to record your edits.

Judging Information

Enhanced Judging Information (Up to 5 Points for each Criterion)

• Industry Relevance: Demonstrates a thorough understanding of industry needs, focusing on current trends and future demands.

• Automation Solution: Provides an innovative and practical solution that can be implemented in the workforce.

• Employee Training Program: Well-structured and comprehensive training program that clearly supports workforce readiness.

• Recruitment Strategy: Thought-out and strategic approach to recruitment, addressing the long-term needs of the workforce.

• Cost-Savings Outlook: Practical and well-reasoned analysis that demonstrates clear financial benefits.

Current time:
Fri, Dec 6, 2024 6:56 AM CST

Opens:

Wed, Nov 6, 2024 12:00 AM CST

Closes:

Wed, Jan 29, 2025 4:00 PM CST

All Entries
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