At the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Coventry, UK manufacturing industry experts gathered this week (14th March) to discuss the workforce of the future at the National Manufacturing Summit 2024.
Focusing on ongoing labour shortage, experts from the UK’s advanced manufacturing sector examined key actions that industry should take to upskill the existing workforce. The panellists and speakers included representatives from the MTC, Lloyds Bank, Dell Technologies, Drone Major, Data Shack, Epicor and Schneider Electric. The event was attended by over 400 stakeholders and manufacturing experts in person, and over 6,000 online throughout the day.
Key topics included how automation can supplement the workforce of the future, preparing employees now so that manufacturers can adopt future technologies smoothly with the skills required from the next generation of engineers.
Schools from across Coventry and Warwickshire were invited to take part in the conversation, with 45 students aged 14-17 welcomed to the event and given a tour of the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre (AMTC). Additionally, all participants, including the students, were offered the opportunity to meet ‘Rocketman’, Richard Browning – founder of Gravity Industries, and see the company’s unique technology at first-hand, as well as view the latest in drone technologies.
During the event, CEO of MTC, Dr Graham Hoare, said: “The Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Plan signals a positive step change in approach and attitude towards the sector. The development of technologies such as Additive Manufacturing are continuing to revolutionise industry. Looking forward, technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation will be key to facilitating the ongoing resurgence of manufacturing in the UK.
“But for manufacturers to truly benefit from the rapidly changing environment, there is an urgent need to ensure the workforce can keep up with the pace of technological change. We need to both train a new generation of workers as well as upskill and reskill the existing workforce to meet the evolving requirements of industry. To achieve this, a strategy needs to be outlined by industry leaders in collaboration with academia and the relevant training providers.”
The National Manufacturing Summit is an annual congress, first launched in 2021 to offer UK manufacturers a stage to disseminate best practice, knowledge, and strategic thinking.
Whilst the skills crisis in UK manufacturing is well documented, finding a solution is somewhat complex and convoluted. One thing’s pretty certain though – the inspiration to pursue a career in engineering or manufacturing needs to be instilled in students and teachers alike to produce our engineers of the future. As Dave Tudor found, the TDI (Technology, Design and Innovation) Challenge, organised by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) aims to do just that.
Metal cutting and manufacturing solutions expert Sandvik Coromant recently sponsored the Education and Development (E&D) Zone at the UK’s largest engineering-based manufacturing trade show, MACH 2024.
The Metalforming Machinery Makers Association (MMMA) has said there was a high level of engagement from visitors visiting its Metal Working Village at this year MACH.
