TRAINING JULY/AUGUST 2019
AVOIDING
ROBO-FLOP
Make UK launched a course last year to retrain and
up-skill employees, covering the knowledge and
practical skills involved with robotic and automation
engineering. Commercial manager Mark Farrant,
and commercial maintenance tutor Gordon
Thompson, sat down with MM to explain more
BY ADAM OFFORD
Q Why was this course launched,
and why is it needed?
A The course was launched based on the inhouse
expertise and development in this
area, on the back of developing and delivering
key elements for the European-funded Skillman
project in 2017. There is an increasing demand
for multi-skilled maintenance engineers in
industry and, with the increasing automation and
robotics footprint in a lot of production centres,
it is becoming apparent that maintainers must
develop the skills necessary to provide effective
support for their respective employers.
The EAL Level 3 Automation and Robotics
course will help to fill the current skills gap
by giving delegates a much better, broader
understanding of a wide range of robotic and
automation-related subject areas (see box, right,
for module details). Though this course will deliver
a comprehensive skill-set and knowledge based on
principles, not product, it should produce a wellrounded
and competent maintenance engineer.
There is no doubt that robotics and automation
will require a different skillset, but that should
not be too difficult for those with aspirations to
become a maintainer in this field.
Q Who is the course
aimed at?
A The course is aimed at
technicians and engineers
who wish to enhance their
technical skills, those who wish
to learn about robotics and
automation engineering, as
well as employees with existing
knowledge in automated
manufacturing. The reason
this course is aimed at these
three groups in particular is
that these areas are where the
development of key skills and
expertise would potentially have
the greatest benefit to managers
and employers.
Remember, this course
covers the principles, not
specific products, which means
that any attendees should be
able to effectively apply their
new knowledge and skills back
into their own workplace and in
any future employment.
Delegates on the EAL Level
3 Robotics and Automation
course will need to have had
some limited exposure to
robots and automated systems
to benefit fully from the
course content and delivery,
and then be able to apply the
diverse skillsets and knowledge
effectively and efficiently in
the workplace. We are also
developing some generic
courses to accommodate those
with less experience, so they
can better understand the basic
The Make UK Technology Hub in Aston houses
a robotics and automation cell that incorporates
a variety of robots and control systems
operations, simple maintenance
and low-level fault finding to
suit their levels of responsibility
and authority.
Q What facilities does
your site offer to
delegates?
A At the Make UK Technology
Hub in Aston, we not
only have the state-of-the-art
robotics and automation cell
and separate robot room, we
also have first-class training
rooms and equipment, such as
dedicated PLC programming,
fault finding and diagnostics
workshops, mechanical and
fluid power training rigs, and
electrical workshops.
Make UK’s aim is to
support manufacturing
industry and be at the cutting
edge of training support and
development. This particular
training and qualification
offering gives organisations
the best opportunity to have
trained, skilled and competent
maintenance staff, who can
best support their current and
future robotics and automation
needs to keep pace with ongoing
development, technology and
the marketplace.
Q How has the course
been received since
its launch in September?
A Sadly, there has not yet
been the expected take
34 www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk
/www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk