Attendees at the 2023 annual member meeting of The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute in Pittsburgh in November. The ARM Institute announced Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2024, that it received an additional $35.4 million from the Department of Defense to operate through 2028. (ARM Institute/X)
(Tribune News Service) — The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute will continue offering training and other workforce support for at least the next five years.
The defense-backed nonprofit announced Tuesday that it received an additional $35.4 million from the Department of Defense to operate through 2028. Another five-year extension will be available at that time.
“Over the past seven years, the ARM Institute- Department of Defense public-private partnership has made important progress in strengthening U.S. manufacturing through advanced robotics, related AI technologies, and workforce development,” Greg Hudas, Department of Defense program manager for the ARM Institute, said in a statement.
“With the continuation agreement in place, this partnership will build on this progress and continue to push innovation to a higher level for the good of the warfighter and the nation,” he said.
The ARM Institute is housed in Hazelwood’s Mill 19, the former site of the Jones & Laughlin Steel Company mill. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden have both visited the site touting the revitalization of American manufacturing.
Part of a network of institutes across the country, ARM has over 400 member organizations, including government agencies, startups and universities.
In October, it hosted 150 high school students, teachers and administrators from the Pittsburgh region, providing a window into manufacturing jobs at places like Motional, a driverless carmaker, and BioForge, the University of Pittsburgh’s manufacturing facility set to be built in Hazelwood this year.
Also in October, it announced partnerships in Pennsylvania and Texas that will help the U.S. Navy triple submarine production and the Army shore up its supply chain with the modern production of tactical alloys.
ARM’s federally funded Robotics Manufacturing Hub currently offers training and equipment to small businesses in western Pennsylvania, especially those looking to invest in automation.
Another local initiative, the Pittsburgh Workforce Hub, will soon provide training to help dislocated workers re-enter the workforce.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Defense to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and respond to our nation’s greatest challenges,” ARM CEO Ira Moskowitz said in a statement.
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