WARNER ROBINS, Georgia — It’s a bit of a coincidence that Malik Thornton-Bey came to study robotics.
He spent years in the Marine Corps infantry, and more recently worked as a recruiter. But he also knew his time in the Marines was coming to a close; he needed to start that next chapter.
“I was thinking about what’s next and a friend of mine was studying to be an electrician,” said Thornton-Bey, now a student at the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center. “And, for some reason, one night I’m looking for robotics and this was the only program that popped up. Pure coincidence.”
Thornton-Bay doesn’t have a background in electronics or computer programming, but that didn’t matter. The new AI Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing program at the VECTR Center teaches the fundamentals of robotic programming, cyber-physical systems, and artificial intelligence in the manufacturing environment. The small cohorts and collaborative environment meet students where they are, no matter how much prior experience they may have.
“I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could actually do it. It’s been fun,” he added. “It’s different. At first, I wasn’t understanding it but (instructor) Deryk (Stoops) is definitely helping me out. And I have faith in myself.”
Filling a need
The AI Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing Program launched in 2023 with the assistance of funding from Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM), a public-private statewide initiative led by Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. The Georgia AIM grant allowed the VECTR Center to purchase a smart manufacturing system that mimics features many manufacturers now want to implement. The lab also has several robots, including FANUC robots, an industry standard.
With more than 60,000 robotic manufacturing specialist jobs available — and the industry predicted to grow over the next decade — the lab upgrades are a key investment in the future of manufacturing. Thanks to the collaboration between Georgia AIM; Central Georgia Technical College, which administers programming at the VECTR Center; and Central Georgia’s 21st Century Partnership, more veterans can receive training in this key manufacturing specialty.
Funded by a $65 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration, Georgia AIM is a network of projects across the state that work to connect the manufacturing community with smart technologies and a ready workforce. Active members of the military and veterans are a key part of this initiative.
In Georgia, veterans comprise about 9% of the state’s overall adult population and are one of the key demographic areas targeted by Georgia AIM. Nearly 20% of the state’s veterans are in their prime working years, underscoring the importance of Georgia AIM’s focus on underserved populations in manufacturing. Training provided at the VECTR Center opens doors to high-demand, high-paying job opportunities.
Central Georgia Technical College worked with local industry leaders to identify key AI-based manufacturing equipment, and outfitted the robotics lab to meet these needs, said Deryk Stoops, AI enhanced robotic manufacturing instructor at the center. The 17-credit-hour program also has certification options and can be converted into an associate degree through the Technical College System of Georgia.
“The program includes two industry certifications, including a FANUC system certification of completion, which is an industry standard,” said Stoops. “That certification ties to Robins Air Force Base, because they use these robots on the base.”
Students move through the AI enhanced robotic manufacturing courses as a cohort, starting with learning about safety and proper tool usage and progressing to basic computer coding and networking. Classes include instruction in programmable logic controllers, robotic programming, machine vision and artificial intelligence.
Along the way, students combine their interests in technology and working with their hands as they refine their analytical and critical thinking skills to problem-solve on the fly and consider how new technologies can improve manufacturing processes.
Building on experience
Working in robotics is a natural next step for Naiya Salinas, who has years of experience working in avionics on C-130 aircraft. The most recent addition to the fleet, the C-130J, includes digital avionics and a state-of-the-art navigation system — all components Salinas was trained to work on in the U.S. Air Force.
Salinas was able to take advantage of the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program to enroll in classes at the VECTR Center. This program provides housing and continues her military salary and benefits while she completes a degree in electrical engineering before transitioning to civilian life.
The robotics program is a bonus, she said, and was a good fit with her other coursework. “I never really thought about AI or doing an AI-related job with my degree, but now that I’m in the class I think it’s pretty cool and it can be useful, especially in this day and age,” she said.
Student Philippe LeBrun agreed. Also attending through the Skillbridge program, he has worked in satellite and radio communications throughout his USAF career. Robotics wasn’t too much of a stretch after his experience, but the elements of manufacturing were new to him.
“Right now, we’re working on programming robots for repetitive tasks. Robots can work very accurately and repetitively without getting tired — people make mistakes when they get tired, but a robot won’t,” said LeBrun, who is looking to take his new skills to a Warner Robins manufacturer after completing the robotics program. “There are many companies looking to expand into robotics; it just seems we’re ahead of the curve right now.”
Going places
But while several students in the AI robotics program are building off their military experience, others are entering the field simply because of an interest in technology or the job prospects offered after graduation.
Michael Trigger separated from the U.S. Air Force in 1989 and then spent the next decades working in industries such as corrections, telecommunications, and transportation. But in recent years he became intrigued by the idea of training computers to understand language. “It just took me down that rabbit hole” of AI, he said with a laugh.
“I started looking into AI topics and happened to see a news report about the Georgia AIM program. I also heard about how Robins Air Force Base was starting to bring in robotics,” he said. “And so, after looking into it as a career change, I started getting more interested in AI. I came out to meet with some folks.”
Since then, he’s taken a few robotics classes and gone on several deeper dives to better understand subjects such as electrical circuits or networking. But it’s given Trigger a more comprehensive understanding of the topics and helped him parse out his next career moves. “I’m enjoying systems integrations, because you get a sense of not just robotics, but the industry 4.0 systems,” he said.
This is where the rubber hits the road for most students. It’s not just about your classes, but where those classes take you after graduation.
Most students had begun to chart that path.
Trigger said he would enjoy working with an automated systems integrator. Salinas, who plans to graduate with a degree in electrical engineering, is now open to pursuing AI-related jobs after graduation. LeBrun sees his opportunities expanding as more manufacturers begin to embrace smart technologies.
“I learned from the military that I like working with my hands,” said Jordan Leonard, who worked in the U.S. Army in logistics and then served as a vehicle mechanic. He wants to work in industrial systems maintenance, but realizes robotics gives him an edge. “Since a lot of industrial plants are trying to get more robots, for me this will be a step up from my coworkers because I learned these things.”