Universal Robots has achieved a milestone in collaborative robotics education by becoming the first cobot manufacturer to receive accreditation from the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). This recognition authorizes the company to issue continuing education units (CEUs) through its newly formalized training program, designed to teach programming and deployment of collaborative robots.
The accredited curriculum targets both students and industry professionals, offering a structured pathway to mastery in cobot technology. Joe Campbell, senior manager of applications development at Universal Robots, emphasized the program’s strategic role in workforce development: “With our education program, we’re addressing a tremendous need to provide cobot training as part of an integrated, accredited course. This hands-on learning initiative will be instrumental in addressing the skills gap. It will get state-of-the art cobots into classrooms, offering students instant employability and manufacturers access to an up-skilled workforce.”
The program’s design reflects a turnkey approach. Schools can acquire a complete package that includes a Universal Robots cobot arm, curriculum materials, and the hardware and software needed to create functioning industrial applications. The 32-hour course was developed with input from Ritch Ramey, coordinator of the Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Collaborative (RAMTEC), a network of 24 technical career centers in Ohio. Ramey noted the funding advantages of the credential: “Being able to offer a complete, turnkey training program with an industry-recognized credential gives schools increased access to both private grants and government funding when bringing cobots into classrooms. It will make all the difference in the acceleration of student access to a real industrial robot that is both safe to operate in a classroom and easy to use.”
Graduates of the program earn 32 course credit hours and a certification from Universal Robots, recognized across the industry. The curriculum is adaptable to high schools, dual-enrollment programs, and colleges. Beyond academic settings, manufacturers can enroll employees in certified cobot training through local institutions or authorized partners. Government incentives often encourage such training, with some jurisdictions reimbursing companies for the associated costs. Campbell described the dual benefit: “This is really a win-win. Manufacturers struggling to attract and retain skilled workers within automation can now easily train and encourage existing staff. Employees get a unique opportunity to receive a recognized certification that they can add to their resume for future career advancements.”
The education package includes either a UR3e or UR5e cobot, 24 course licenses, a gripper demo kit, and a UR academy hardware set. This set comprises a conveyor system with encoder, sensors, and an I/O simulation test box, along with 3D-printed training elements, a tool center point, and workpieces for exercises. For institutions already equipped with cobots, a retro package offers curricula and classroom support hardware.
Bob Graff, president of I4.0Strategies, contributed to the program’s development and is collaborating with UR+ partners to create additional modules for grippers and other peripherals. He highlighted the UR+ ecosystem’s role in expanding training relevance: “What separates Universal Robots from everybody else is the powerful, unique UR+ platform that enables manufacturers to build their complete cobot application by choosing UR-compatible products that are tested and proven. Bringing courses on UR+ components and kits into the umbrella of UR’s credentialed training approach will spark a revolution in educational access to these Industry 4.0 technologies.”
Achieving IACET accreditation required rigorous evaluation against ANSI and IACET standards, with extensive hands-on review of instructional design and training processes. The accreditation confirms the program’s alignment with nationally benchmarked best practices, underscoring Universal Robots’ commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible education in collaborative robotics.