The NRL allows middle school, high school and post-secondary school students to partner with NTMA member companies in their communities in order to build sophisticated, high-tech robots that do battle with one another inside a ring. The competition stirs intense excitement among student competitors from across the country, who get the chance to apply their math skills to something that produces a tangible result. In the bargain, they come to see manufacturing in an entirely different light.
NTMA founded the NRL to address two central challenges that U.S. manufacturing has been facing for years. The first involves the need to fill positions with workers that have the increasingly rare technical skills so many of our members are seeking. And the second is all about overcoming myths to reveal the reality that manufacturing is high-tech, exciting, financially rewarding ... and growing!
Past NRL competitions have been increasingly well attended, with students competing from all over the country. This year, the competition is timed to closely coincide with the upcoming NTMA Purchasing Fair on May 16-17 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis. So if you're already in the area, plan to come by to show your support for the students and for our industry!
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Below: action shot from a past competition:
