UMaine opens cutting-edge robotics and automation training facility 

New space will grow Maine’s economy, national security and global competitiveness by supporting statewide advanced manufacturing workforce development 

Answering increasing demand from industry for highly skilled manufacturing workers in Maine and beyond, the University of Maine has opened the B.O.T. Loft, a state-of-the-art robotics and automation training facility that will offer factory-authorized training, a suite of micro-credentials and K-12 programs designed to educate and inspire the next generation.  

The B.O.T Loft name communicates a commitment to “Build, Optimize and Train” the in-demand workforce required to operate the smart industrial technology that is driving efficiency across the manufacturing sector. Located on the second floor of UMaine’s Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC), the 3,600-square-foot B.O.T. Loft is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment from Doosan Robotics, Universal Robotics, ABB Robotics and Fanuc. UMaine celebrated the grand opening of the facility on Aug. 19 with a ceremony featuring industry partners, government officials, public university and other higher education leaders, and a robot-assisted ribbon cutting.

The B.O.T. Loft is funded through the U.S. Department of Defense Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment/Industrial Capabilities and Modernization Program. In the FY23 federal budget, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, at the request of the University of Maine System (UMS) and with the support of the Maine Congressional Delegation, secured $7 million in Community Project Funding for UMaine to lead the creation of two Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Training Innovation Centers that will provide talent pipelines for defense, aerospace and other manufacturing employers in the state. The B.O.T. Loft is the first of those facilities, with a second underway at Southern Maine Community College.

“I’m proud to have secured the federal funding that made the B.O.T. Loft a reality,” said Golden. “This facility is a direct investment in Maine’s workers and our manufacturing future. With top-tier training at Maine’s flagship university, we are creating a direct pipeline for the skilled technicians our defense industry and local businesses desperately need. This is how we strengthen our national security, grow our economy and make Maine an attractive destination for job creators in the years to come.”

The B.O.T. Loft is designed to directly address the growing need for skilled technicians in advanced manufacturing, a key sector of Maine’s economy. Through close collaborations with industry, the facility will offer hands-on curricula and credentialing programs to upskill and reskill workers, preparing them for high-demand, high-paying careers in robotics and automation.

“As manufacturers nationwide modernize, so too must our workforce. The B.O.T. Loft is a testament to the University of Maine’s commitment to equipping our state’s manufacturers and their employees with knowledge to capitalize on the latest technology,” said UMaine President and UMS Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “By collaborating directly with employers, we are creating targeted pathways to meaningful careers and ensuring Maine’s manufacturing sector has the highly skilled workforce it needs to thrive and compete globally using the most advanced technologies.”

The facility provides a flexible learning space where students and incumbent workers can gain experience with industry-standard advanced manufacturing equipment. The training programs are designed to be accessible, offering stackable credentials that allow participants to build skills over time and advance in their careers.

“Based on recent studies completed by the AMC and partners, having a cohort of trained operators and technicians is essential to help company managers develop the confidence to embrace automation and robotics,” said John Belding, director of the Advanced Manufacturing Center. “The B.O.T. Loft is the next stage in the AMC’s longstanding commitment to help companies trial and de-risk the adoption of these technologies, and to train workers with the skills needed to operate them.”

The B.O.T. Loft is poised to become a central hub for workforce development in manufacturing, strengthening the pipeline of skilled technicians and engineers and fostering the economic growth of the entire state.

“At Bath Iron Works, we are building the most technologically advanced ships on the planet, and that requires a workforce with equally advanced skills,” said Thomas Stevens, director of training at Bath Iron Works. “As we integrate more automation into our production, we face the challenge of finding people who can program, operate and maintain these highly efficient machines. The B.O.T. Loft directly addresses this skills gap by providing hands-on training in the specific robotics and automation competencies we need. This partnership with the University of Maine is exactly what Maine’s industry needs to build a confident, capable, and career-ready workforce for tomorrow.”

For more information on the B.O.T. Loft facility, please visit umaine.edu/amc/botloft.

To stay informed about B.O.T. Loft training opportunities, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/PRxuCMn5m49yGQgf6

Contact: Ashley Forbes ashley.forbes@maine.edu