As advanced manufacturing continues to expand across Mississippi, employers are increasingly seeking workers with skills in industrial robotics and automation. To help meet this growing demand, Itawamba Community College (ICC), in partnership with other community colleges across North Mississippi, invested in expanding its capacity to deliver specialized FANUC industrial robotics training.
Industry partners had consistently expressed a need for FANUC robotics training, a highly specialized area essential to modern manufacturing operations. However, a significant challenge existed: there were very few qualified instructors available to teach the training. At ICC, only one Career and Technical Education instructor was certified to deliver industrial FANUC robotics instruction, and neighboring institutions faced similar limitations. Existing instructors were often committed to full-time teaching responsibilities, making it difficult to respond quickly to workforce training requests from employers.
Through support from AccelerateMS, ICC hosted FANUC Handling Tool and Programming certification training in May 2026. The training brought together participants from multiple community colleges with the goal of developing a larger pool of qualified instructors capable of delivering industrial robotics training throughout the region.
While the initiative is still in its early stages, the impact is already taking shape. Participants successfully completed the initial training and are now progressing through the FANUC instructor certification pathway. This process includes preparing for the NOCTI examination, developing instructional materials, and demonstrating teaching proficiency through recorded classroom instruction.
The long-term value of the project extends far beyond instructor certification. By increasing the number of qualified FANUC trainers, community colleges will be better equipped to respond to industry needs, expand access to advanced robotics education, and strengthen workforce readiness across North Mississippi. Future employees will gain access to high-quality automation training closer to home, while manufacturers will benefit from a more skilled workforce prepared to operate and maintain increasingly sophisticated robotic systems.
Looking ahead, ICC and its partner institutions remain committed to building a sustainable network of certified FANUC instructors. As additional trainers complete certification and gain experience, the region will be able to offer more industrial robotics training opportunities, reduce instructional bottlenecks, and better support the evolving needs of Mississippi’s advanced manufacturing sector. Through this collaborative effort, AccelerateMS is helping create the foundation for a stronger, more competitive workforce prepared for the future of automation.