Robotics competition to lift high school industry skills

FANUC UK has announced for the fourth year running a WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition that is open to high school students (age 16+, without specific technical skills) that are inquisitive or already passionate about robotics.

Entrants learn how to program and operate robots to perform manufacturing tasks at FANUC’s new flagship training facility in Coventry. The aim is to draw on the standard national curriculum giving pupils the ability to put into practice what they’ve been taught in subjects including mathematics, science and design.

WorldSkills UK deputy CEO Ben Blackledge said: “Taking part in WorldSkills UK competitions can be a life-changing experience. Our competition-based development programmes offer students and apprentices the opportunity to pit their skills against the best of the best in the UK, and even on the global stage.

“We know that taking part in competitions boost young people’s personal skills, as well developing the skills that employers and the economy needs. I would encourage everyone to have a look at the options available and register to take up this opportunity.”

FANUC UK managing director Tom Bouchier commented: “FANUC is the proud partner of the international competence organisation WorldSkills UK and we jointly promote the competition to budding young robot developers. Industrial Robotics is just one of 72 WorldSkills competition categories including carpentry, beauty therapy and horticulture aiming to build confidence in young people, empower communities, and help fuel economies through skills development.

“As well as helping competition applicants to explore the varied use of robots, FANUC plays an active role in recruiting and training judges, agreeing the assessment criteria for competitions, and securing sponsorship and value in kind, as well as communication, training and development for our competitors, and widening participation and increasing diversity.”

Criteria and where to apply

The competition is made up of seven stages:

1. Register in teams of two by April 1st 2022 www.worldskillsuk.org/competitions/industrial-robotics
2. Passive stage (before April 20th) – a simple assessment of the team using simulation software
3. National Qualifiers (24/25 April) – At FANUC’s training centre set-up and program the robots to take part in the competition
4. Announcement of finalists
5. Training and development continues with FANUC to create a manufacturing solution using robotics (Sept-Oct)
6. National Finals (November) – when entrants compete against all industrial robotics teams
7. Squad UK – the winning team will represent their country at a global level and compete against the other countries winning teams in the same skill

Eligible entrants are 16+ year old students in groups of two, and are required to register their interest by 1st April.

There is no limit to the number of teams permitted to enter this competition per organisation. Competitors must have access to IT equipment capable of running FANUC Roboguide or may use Autodesk, which most students have free access from the school or college.

They must be present for the final stage of the competition at the National Finals in November 2022. Furthermore, they must also be within a year of completion of a relevant Level 3 Apprenticeship and /or hold qualifications in an engineering-based subject to a minimum of a Level 3 or equivalent.

Additionally, applicants must not have been employed within the industry of the chosen skill for more than three years prior to registration, not including the period of an apprenticeship.

A 2021 winner

Louie was in his second and final year of a full-time foundation degree in engineering at NRC Ballymena in Northern Ireland. His apprenticeship was at McAuley Engineering in Ballymoney for CNC machining. He struggled at school before being diagnosed with dyslexia.

Louie said: “I had always thought I needed to go down the academic route and couldn’t.” A careers advisor suggested he go take a technical route. He first competed in the National Qualifiers in 2021 and felt comfortable about competing. His self-confidence was well-placed, as he won the top accolade of a gold medal and the chance to be selected for Team UK.

He added: “What I’ve learned from competing is that I am capable, I knew I could do it and now I’ve done it. What I would say to somebody thinking of competing is: you’ve got nothing to lose - there’s nothing to worry about. The worst thing that can happen is that you’ll be last. Even just competing looks good on your CV.”

For student registration and further information, please select the link below:

www.worldskillsuk.org/competitions/industrial-robotics

FANUC UK

www.fanuc.eu/uk/en