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Robots credited with creating jobsRobots were once used almost exclusively in the automotive industry, but are now making their mark in a host of other sectors. Not only are they helping companies compete in an increasingly global economy, these automated workers are even credited with creating new jobs. LINDA WHITE |
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 [ 2007-02-28 ] |
"Robots help companies be more competitive and when companies are more competitive, that translates into new jobs," says Dan Fawcett of the Robotics Certification Standards Alliance (RCSA). Its mission is to increase the awareness of automation, standardize robotic testing and meet the need for highly skilled employees.
Fawcett points to a pickle producer in Quebec that couldn't palletize its product as quickly as it could produce it. A palletizing robot eliminated back-breaking jobs no one wanted and allowed the company to increase production and create more jobs on the processing line.
One of the most common reasons companies adopt robotic technology is to protect people from dangerous and labour-intensive work environments. BRIC Engineered Systems in Oshawa, for example, sends some of its robotic technology to the automotive industry.
"Robots are used in areas like paint booths because people don't want to breath in fumes," vice-president Isabelle Roberts says. "We also use robots in areas where we can use technology that is more environmentally friendly than doing it manually, such as removing paint from airplanes. The automated approach uses lasers to take paint off, which reduces the toxic chemicals in that process."
Casey DiBattista, senior general manager of Yaskawa Motoman Canada Ltd., agrees. "We're increasing the skilled trade level of people. We're not replacing people," he says. "All kinds of health and safety issues are being addressed."
Yaskawa Motoman Canada Ltd. is one of Canada's largest manufacturers of robotics. About 80% of its business is in the auto industry and the bulk of that is in welding, which removes people from dangerous fumes, DiBattista notes.
The world market peaked in 2005, reaching about 126,700 installed industrial robots -- 30% more than in 2004. New orders received by North American-based robotics companies were down 36% through the first nine months of 2006, the Robotic Industries Association reports.
"THE JOBS ARE THERE"
Robotic technology has created demand for professions such as robotics technicians, robotic weld technicians and robotics programmers. "The jobs are there," Fawcett says. "A lot aren't advertised because a lot of companies use agencies that specialize. A lot are stealing from each other because of the shortage in the industry."
The names of professions associated with robotics and their job descriptions are still in the development stage. "A programmer uses the language of the robot to give it set movements or a series of movements," Fawcett says. "There is no policy stating that this is what a robotics programmer is. That is what the RCSA is working on."
The demand for qualified workers is pushing the demand for training. "The demand for training is huge and has been pretty consistent over the past couple of years," DiBattista says. "The technology is advancing quickly. We launch new products every five years and it takes five years to develop that technology."
It's a trend expected to continue. "Robotics has been around since the '80s, but mostly in automotive," Fawcett says. "Most other industries couldn't afford them until now. There will be more and more research into what repetitive work robots can do. I think we will see more and more of them."
BRANCHING OUT
Robots will become more adaptable, more flexible and more accepted than ever in the next few years, the Robotics Certification Standards Alliance reports. Once used almost exclusively in the automotive industrial, today's robots are being installed to handle food, cut plastic, package consumer goods and bolster progress in the medical and pharmaceutical markets.
Visit www.rcsa.ca to learn more.
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