Milwaukee High School Students Train on Robots at LTC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9/17/2019

CLEVELAND, WI —

Students from Barack Obama School of Career & Technical Education (BOSCTE) recently visited Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) to start learning how to program Fanuc industrial robots. The visits were a result of a collaborative effort between instructors who met at a SkillsUSA competition earlier this year.

Several BOSCTE students accompanied Technical Education Instructor Dave Kontz to LTC, where they spent time getting familiar with the Fanuc robots in LTC’s state-of-the-art robotics lab. Kontz was invited to visit with his students by LTC Electro-Mechanical Program Coordinator/Instructor Jim Gruenke. Kontz would like BOSCTE students to gain exposure to high-tech career options and become skilled enough with the robots so they’re prepared for a Fanuc robotics competition this fall.

“It’s important for our students to become familiar with the Fanuc robots, which are a whole different robot than what we have back at our school in Milwaukee, because they’ll be better prepared for their technical college education and future in general,” said Krontz. “By learning about robotics, they’re getting on a direct pipeline to a great career, not just a job,” he added.

Fanuc robots are a brand of choice throughout Wisconsin industry, according to Gruenke and Krontz. Both say technicians are in high demand around the state, as well as the U.S.

When asked what his favorite training activity was, Nathan Mason, a senior at BOSCTE, said, “My favorite part is that I like getting a feel for the robot. It’s challenging, but I’m getting the hang of it.”

LTC offers a variety of opportunities to gain and build the robotics expertise that is in demand today among advanced manufacturing industries locally, statewide, and beyond. Options include two year associate degree programs, technical diplomas, and advanced robotics training seminars for those already in the workplace.