The right training

Depending on the skill level, a robotics training course teaches participants how to safely work with robot controllers, user interfaces, and typical production processes. Advanced courses focus more on programming, program customization, and troubleshooting. At the Leadec Education Center, training courses are structured in modules and tailored to various roles, from operators to programmers. The focus is on hands-on application with industrial robot systems. Theoretical and practical sessions alternate continuously. At various training stations, participants can directly apply and reinforce what they have learned. The high proportion of hands-on training is particularly valued by participants and ensures that the knowledge gained can be immediately applied to operation, maintenance, or production start-ups.

Leadec offers KUKA training courses for several controller generations, including KRC2 with Operator and Programming 1, KRC4 with Operator, Operator Pro, Programming 1 and 2, and Profinet, as well as KRC5 with Operator, Operator Pro, and Programming 1. Additionally, there is a course available for VKRC4 in the Volkswagen environment. Furthermore, Leadec offers one-day upgrade and downgrade courses between the different controller generations, such as when switching from KRC4 to KRC5 or from KRC4 to KRC2. The appropriate KUKA training course depends on the controller, the scope of responsibilities, and the participants’ prior knowledge.

The Leadec Education Center offers training on ABB robots equipped with the ABB IRC5 control platform. ABB training can be beneficial when employees need to operate robots safely, understand programs, or make simple adjustments on their own. For specific needs, workshops can be tailored to participants’ existing knowledge and specific systems. Before booking, it’s important to clarify which control system and robotics application are actually used in your facility.

Leadec offers training on the FANUC R-30iB controller, including operator and basic courses. FANUC training teaches participants how to safely operate the robot controller and, depending on the course, lays the foundation for more advanced tasks. This training is particularly beneficial before production starts, when forming new teams, or when operators need to gain more confidence in handling malfunctions and routine tasks. Individual workshops can also be tailored to specific systems and operational processes.

The difference between operator and programmer training lies primarily in the depth of the knowledge taught and the participants’ future areas of responsibility. Operator training courses teach the basics of safely operating industrial robots. This includes navigating the robot controller, different operating modes, start and stop procedures, and typical responses to malfunctions—such as moving a robot to a safe position or resetting it without having to make changes to the program.

Advanced operator training—both professional and foundational—builds on this knowledge. Participants also learn to adjust robot paths, program motion sequences, commission tools, and apply simple program functions. This enables them to independently perform many tasks in day-to-day production and optimize existing processes.

Programming training courses go one step further and provide in-depth knowledge in the areas of robot programming, program structure, motion sequences, variables, logic, and troubleshooting. These training courses are specifically designed for maintenance technicians, commissioning engineers, and automation specialists who need to create or modify programs, or analyze and resolve complex malfunctions.

Leadec offers various qualification levels for KUKA, ABB, and FANUC robots. Which robot training course is the right one depends on the participants’ tasks and the desired level of expertise. While operators are primarily responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the system, maintenance technicians and automation experts often need advanced programming skills to independently optimize and further develop robot cells.
 

The prerequisites depend on the level of the course. For basic operator training, a technical understanding and an interest in automated production systems are particularly helpful. Programming courses benefit from prior knowledge of automation, electrical engineering, or existing robot control systems. Custom workshops are tailored to the participants’ existing knowledge. Therefore, it’s important to clarify before the course begins what tasks employees will be responsible for later and which control system will be used. This helps ensure that a course isn’t chosen that’s too basic or unnecessarily complex.

Important to know: The courses generally do not build on one another. For example, anyone wishing to take a programming course does not need to complete an operator course first. The fundamentals required for each course are taught during the training. The Programming 2 course is an exception, as it requires prior completion of the Programming 1 course.

Leadec has many years of experience in training employees in the fields of robotics and automation. Our trainers not only impart manufacturer-specific knowledge but also bring extensive hands-on experience from real-world industrial projects. They regularly work on-site with customers and have firsthand knowledge of the challenges of day-to-day production. The Leadec Education Center has been training companies of all sizes—from small and medium-sized businesses to international corporations—for many years. When training sessions are held exclusively for participants from a single company, specific questions, applications, and challenges from the company’s own production environment can be directly integrated into the training. This results in a particularly high level of practical relevance that goes beyond standard training courses.

Yes. Leadec offers customized workshops directly at the customer’s site and can utilize existing training or production cells. This ensures a high degree of practical relevance specific to the company’s operations, as internal workflows, processes, and equipment are taken into account. For standard training courses, however, production robot cells are not always ideal, as exercises could interfere with ongoing operations. Additionally, there is a risk that equipment could be damaged during hands-on exercises, resulting in production downtime or other associated costs. Therefore, it is important to check whether a separate training cell is available. Alternatively, Leadec can provide mobile training cells for on-site training.

For on-site training, Leadec can deliver fully equipped mobile training cells to the customer. The cells are delivered by a shipping company before the course begins, used during the training, and then picked up again afterward. This ensures that productive robot cells do not have to be tied up for standard exercises.

To conduct the training, sufficient space for hands-on exercises, a suitable training room, and as quiet an environment as possible are required so that both theoretical and practical sessions can be carried out effectively.

A standard electrical outlet is usually sufficient to power the training cells. ABB training cells may additionally require compressed air. If needed, Leadec can provide a solution for this. Customer assistance is also required for loading and unloading the mobile training cells, for example, by providing a forklift. Mobile cells are particularly beneficial when multiple employees need to be trained at the customer’s own location and travel expenses need to be reduced.

Yes. In addition to standardized courses, Leadec develops customized workshop concepts that can be adapted to participants’ prior knowledge, specific tasks, and actual production equipment. This is particularly useful when employees need to learn not only general robot operation but also typical workflows, error scenarios, or programs specific to their own facility. Similarly, specialized topics and in-depth content can be taught based on existing knowledge. Learning objectives and participant roles should be clearly defined in advance. This allows robot training to be more strongly focused on operation, programming, maintenance, or production startup, and unnecessary content can be minimized.

The cost of robotics training depends on the type, scope, and format of the training program. For open-enrollment courses at the Leadec Education Center, participant fees generally apply. If multiple employees from the same company are registered for a course, tiered discounts are available starting with the fourth participant. For individual workshops or training sessions held directly at the client’s location, Leadec prepares a customized quote based on the requirements, number of participants, training duration, and location. This ensures that companies receive a solution that meets their training needs both technically and economically.

New robot technology only delivers its full benefits once operators, maintenance technicians, and programmers have mastered the system safely. Robot training reduces uncertainty during the ramp-up phase and helps resolve typical operating or diagnostic errors more quickly. Leadec also trains teams as part of larger projects and production ramp-ups and offers training for KUKA, ABB, and FANUC. Ideally, training planning should be integrated into the project schedule early on so that the necessary knowledge is available before series production begins or the system is handed over.