Academy of Advanced Manufacturing

Bridge the manufacturing skills gap with veteran training

closeup shot of medals on a military veteran's uniform

Bridge the manufacturing skills gap with veteran training

Manufacturing companies are facing a skill shortage and struggling to find candidates to fill many critical manufacturing jobs. In addition, the costs to source, recruit, assess, select and develop a highly skilled workforce are growing rapidly. To tackle the critical skills shortage in the fast-evolving manufacturing sector, Rockwell Automation and ManpowerGroup developed the Academy of Advanced Manufacturing (AAM) – a joint initiative to provide U.S. military veterans with the upskilling they need to succeed in advanced manufacturing roles. This veteran training program not only helps bridge the manufacturing skills gap, but it also helps provide jobs for veterans.

Bridging the Manufacturing Skills Gap How Returning Veterans are Doing It Baker Equipment Manufacturers & Allieds (BEMA) held a virtual webinar with our very own Mary Burgoon, Business Development Manager for the AAM at Rockwell Automation. Listen on-demand on how AAM got started in 2017, how far it’s come, the incredible value it brings to many veterans, and hear some frequently asked questions answered about the program. Listen Now

ECCO Asks Why Podcast Do you think manufacturing is a high-tech industry? If not, think again! Listen to this episode with Mary Burgoon on how technology today has enabled manufacturing to be high-tech, and how AAM is playing a role in bridging the workforce skills gap. Listen Now

What is the Academy of Advanced Manufacturing?

From Military to Manufacturing

From Military to Manufacturing

Launched in 2017, the Academy of Advanced Manufacturing program is rapidly upskilling U.S. veterans across high-demand, technology-based roles in as little as four months. From this veteran training program, more than 80% of graduates have been placed in career-advancing roles.

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How does this program work?

The Academy of Advanced Manufacturing program recruits veterans with technical skills. They complete an in-depth screening and assessment process for their potential success in the AAM program and future advanced manufacturing jobs.

The program combines instructor-led classroom learning with hands-on laboratory experience. The AAM Program leverages the vast knowledge of Rockwell Automation in advanced manufacturing. Together, with ManpowerGroup’s global insight into changing skills needs and workforce solutions, we aim to power the future of manufacturing in the United States.

The AAM Program consists of a 12-week training curriculum that covers both technical and professional competencies. Some of the key technical courses include industrial automation principles, controllers, networks, visualization, AC drives/motors, instrumentation, and machine safety. The major professional competencies include accelerating team performance, communications, navigating change, managing conflict and presentation skills. Graduates of the AAM Program are certified by Rockwell Automation in these technical and professional areas.

View the Certification Skills List

Hear From Our Customers

Endress+Hauser Employs Veteran Graduates

Jerry Spindler, Training Manager at Endress+Hauser, discusses their collaboration efforts to assist customers and veterans.

Endress+Hauser Employs Veteran Graduates

Read how Endress+Hauser is involved in the AAM program and how they now employ some of the veteran graduates from the 10 cohorts. Jerry Spindler, Training Manager at Endress+Hauser, discusses their collaboration efforts to assist customers and veterans.

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Thermo Systems Employs Veteran Graduates

The president and CEO of Thermo Systems and an AAM graduate talk about how the program has impacted them. Hear about how they got involved, how it’s going and the value that they’ve seen within their company.

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AAM in the News

veteran rockwell employee looking at monitor on shop floor

Rockwell Automation Academy of Advanced Manufacturing Gives Veterans Training, Preparation for Jobs

The physical labor that once existed as a critical piece of manufacturing is becoming less important as machines do more work. But do you have people in your organization that know how to operate those machines?

The Academy of Advanced Manufacturing is a bridge for veterans of all branches to learn and understand other technologies and expand that knowledge in new roles.

Read how Jackson Henderson, from the U.S. Air Force, and Dustin Rodgers, from the U.S. Marine Corps, found new fulfillment in the 12-week AAM program.

Milwaukee companies team up to train veterans in high-tech manufacturing. “We're helping them take the technical skills they developed in the military and redeploy them for manufacturing.” Learn more about our program in this 4 minute video.

More Press

Rockwell Automation, ManpowerGroup turn to veterans for skilled talent - BizTimes

Three Elements Lead to Skills Success - Efficient Plant Magazine

Academy of Advanced Manufacturing trains veterans for career opportunities – BizTimes

Veterans training program helping to fill manufacturing skills gap - TechRepublic