As part of its ongoing drive to encourage more young people to begin a career in automation and engineering, Coventry-based Fanuc UK is inviting the country’s brightest young minds to take part in the WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition. For the fourth year running, the industrial automation company is partnering with WorldSkills UK to give apprentices and students the chance to learn key robotics programming and operating skills with help from Fanuc engineers – and even earn the right to represent ‘Squad UK’ at the international finals in China.

Entry is open at the website here from 26 February-29 March 2024 for teams consisting of two people aged 16-plus. After completing an initial simulated entry-stage task, successful applicants will undertake training with Fanuc UK ahead of the hands-on qualifier stage, which is being held at the Smart Factory Expo on 5-6 June at the NEC, Birmingham. Visitors to the event will also be able to test their skills by taking part in a similar robotics trial alongside the competitors.

The WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition reaches its peak in November when, following further training, the most talented teams will compete to programme and operate a robot in a real-world task at the national finals during Fanuc UK’s Open House event, held at its Coventry headquarters. Winners will then be selected for Squad UK to compete in Shanghai in 2026.

Satty Cole, business development manager for education at Fanuc UK, said: “It is crucial that the next generation is given the opportunity to explore the world of robotics and automation, to help nurture a passion that could lead to a future career path. Finding talented and enthusiastic students and taking them on the WorldSkills UK journey is immensely important to Fanuc as part of our drive to support and train young people looking to consider a career in automation, and to bridge the current manufacturing skills gap. Gaining experience with real-world industrial robots and receiving hands-on training from current Fanuc robotics engineers can help to ignite a spark in a young person that could last a lifetime.”

Learn new skills
Peter O’Neill was part of the 2023 winning team and is keen to encourage other students to take part in this year’s competition. He said: “Those selected will learn new skills which could lead to future job opportunities. Participating in WorldSkills and qualifying for the national finals is something that will stand out on a CV.”

Ben Blackledge, WorldSkills UK chief executive, added: “Skills will continue to be a key differentiator for business both at home and abroad and through our programmes we are working to ensure that all apprentices and students around the UK can gain access to high-quality technical education and apprenticeships that lead to real success for them and the UK as a whole.”

Youngsters can register in teams of two via the WorldSkills website here from 26 February 2024 — entries close on 29 March 2024. Eligible entrants are students aged 16-plus who must apply in groups of two. Schools and colleges are encouraged to invite students to register, safe in the knowledge that Fanuc will provide training and one-on-one support to the teams that make it through. There is no limit to the number of teams permitted to enter this competition per organisation.

However, entrants must be present for the final stage of the competition at the National Finals in Coventry in November 2024. 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.

The ‘passive stage’ will require teams to complete a task on Fanuc’s Roboguide system, which they can access using a 30-day free licence. Fanuc will then provide everyone who makes it to the final with a free Roboguide educational license, to further support their studies.