Robotics internship program boosts opportunities for sixteen Goodwill youth participants and students

PHOENIX  – This summer, thirteen ecademie High School students and three Goodwill youth participants are engaging in a hands-on learning event, known as the Robotics Showdown and Internships. The program, which began June 2 and will conclude August 1, is hosting more than 40 youth from around the Valley.

Each youth, ages 16 to 21, receives individualized instruction on robotics and in-depth information on careers within the advanced manufacturing and aerospace industry. Students receive classroom instruction one day a week and work internships for the remaining four days, learning techniques that can motivate them for a lifetime of self-sufficiency and successful careers within the advanced manufacturing and aerospace industry.

“Each of the hosting companies is influencing these youth in a positive way,” said Bob Bonura, a recruiter for the program. “This is a great way to raise qualified, homegrown workers and compete globally.”

Participants are paid $8 an hour for their in-class participation as well as their internships, totaling just under $2,000 for the summer.

“There is outstanding value with this program for youths to realize new career opportunities and passions,” said Lisa Wilham, Vice President of Mission Services. “Not only are they gaining additional education, but they are being paid for their efforts and creativity – it’s a win-win situation.”

From July 21-24, participants will be touring manufacturing companies and seeing first hand the process from design to implementation in every day life of parts they help create. At the conclusion of the program on August 1, approximately nine teams of youth will compete at Phoenix College in a BotsIQ competition, with winners receiving college scholarships. During the competition, teams will be testing robots that they have created against other robots to see who can come out on top during the battle. A graduation ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the BotsIQ competition.

The robotics program is hosted by the Arizona Tooling & Machining Association and AZBBIQ. The program is funded by the City of Phoenix Community & Economic Development Department, Small Business & Workforce Connection Divisions, and collaborations with the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Arizona Manufacturing Network, the Valley of the Sun United Way, ATMA/AMN member businesses and educational institutions and teachers throughout the community.

Celebrating 60 years in the Valley, Goodwill of Central Arizona is one of the oldest and largest non-profit agencies in Arizona. Our mission is to “Put People to Work” throughout Arizona by providing job skills training, education and career services to those with vocational disadvantages that can include physical and emotional barriers, welfare dependency, illiteracy and age. In 2007, we served 11,000 youth and adults on their quest toward self-sufficiency and placed more than 4,600 into competitive employment. For more information on Goodwill of Central Arizona visit www.goodwillaz.org.