RapidSkills student advances career with robotics micro-credential

June 19, 2023

While robots might not be programmed to take over the world just yet, Rachel Smith is using them to her advantage to advance her career in automotive manufacturing. She recently completed the RapidSkills robotics micro-credential previously offered in partnership through Georgian College and the City of Barrie.

Rachel has been working in the automotive industry for a few years now and she’s currently with Autoliv—a leading automotive manufacturing company who supplies safety systems like seatbelts, airbags and steering wheels—at their Collingwood location. She started in IT support and has transitioned into an automation development role, helping to design and install software to automate software testing processes.

Manufacturing is an industry in high demand for skilled, passionate workers and Rachel has always been keen to learn more. Her co-worker recommended the RapidSkills program so she could bring new knowledge into the workplace.

The RapidSkills program, with most courses provided at Georgian’s Barrie Campus, offered several micro-credentials to help upskill workers, focusing on key skill areas that are essential to the manufacturing industry. Rachel says she chose the robotics micro-credential since she works with robots and robotic arms on a regular basis at her job. She wanted to learn more about programming, vision systems, and how to apply robots in her daily tasks.

“I was very interested in the RapidSkills program because it’s so practical and offers many hands-on opportunities,” Rachel says. “The hybrid format of the robotics course was perfect— I could get the best of both worlds and still be able to work part-time with Autoliv. It was great to use the machines and work collaboratively with my classmates on different projects, as well as learn theoretical ideas from home.”

Rachel says that this experience will benefit her in many ways, specifically with automation development and working with computer integrated manufacturing systems.

“This course has opened my eyes to so many things that will help me grow personally and professionally,” Rachel adds. “Training employees is also an important component of my job, and one thing I look forward to doing is creating and implementing new programs and policies from what I’ve learned.”

Now with this micro-credential under her belt, as well as a previously earned degree in Computing and Information Science, Rachel feels she has a great foundation to be successful in her career.

If you or your business have any questions or would like to explore personalized RapidSkills training, please connect with rob.smith@georgiancollege.ca.

The RapidSkills micro-credentials program was presented by the City of Barrie and Georgian College, in partnership with the County of Simcoe and the Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board. This project was funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.