AUTOMATION SPONSORED BY FANUC UK
This should not be limited to
the traditional apprenticeship route,
either. Encouraging a greater focus on
automation from graduate engineers will
enable them to enter industry with the correct
mindset to take advantage of developing technology.
It will help to ensure a blend of skills, from hands-on,
practical expertise, through to a more theoretical
approach. FANUC’s involvement in the pioneering
Cranfield post-grad course in robotics and automation
is an example of how OEMs can contribute to this.
Equally important, but far-too-often overlooked
in this country, is the training and upskilling of the
existing workforce. There can be a fear factor among
many working in manufacturing when it comes to
automation and robotics, and this is something that
can be addressed through training. We’ve seen a
number of other countries invest in retraining older
people to use automation, which helps to increase
productivity from top to bottom.
Funding
One of the issues with the way funding works in the
UK relates to universities and educational facilities.
Purchasing new equipment for students to learn
and train on is something that is often dictated by
budgets. When you consider the way that universities
are funded in the UK this is unsurprising, and any new
equipment that is bought is done so with a view to
making it last for as long as possible.
However, it can often be the case that students
are learning on equipment which is 10, 15, or even
20 years old. The rate of technological development
is such that this means they are using outdated
equipment, and then being asked to enter industry
and work on the latest machines with tools, software
and applications they are not familiar with.
There is already a fair amount of collaboration
between manufacturers and universities, but this
can only ever amount to local support. For example,
FANUC UK has links with a number of institutions,
and I sit on the advisory board for Birmingham City
University. We can offer advice and some financial
support, but this is a drop in the ocean compared
with the level of funding required. This is where the
government needs to ensure it is investing in the
right way, and requires joined up thinking between all
stakeholders in order to have the greatest effect.
There must also be a more nuanced approach to
how the government supports manufacturers who
are looking to invest in automation. For a long time
now, tax breaks have been the go-to method for
encouraging investment in the latest technologies.
While this is extremely effective for some companies,
it does little to help business who are early in their
lifespan, and simply do not have the capital to
make that initial investment. Cruelly, SMEs are
simultaneously the ones who would benefit
most from implementing automation, and
yet struggle to raise that initial investment,
which is why the government must adopt
a more bespoke approach to funding these
businesses.
Looking to the future
Many of the challenges that we have outlined here
relate to a single issue: attitude. There has to be a seedchange
in the perception of automation, throughout
businesses, government, and beyond. Every industrial
revolution throughout history has resulted in a boost to
the economy, and we cannot ignore the opportunity
that is passing us by.
It is also true that we are in a global economy, and
while COVID-19 has, to some extent, resulted in a
consolidation of supply chains, it is also true that UK
businesses are competing with manufacturers from
Europe, Asia, the USA, and across the globe. We have
to automate to keep pace with productivity.
The right conversations have started; the key now
is to keep that momentum going. Collaboration
throughout the supply chain will ensure that a
product’s lifecycle begins with automation in mind,
facilitating a more effective process that benefits
manufacturing as a whole. A joined-up approach
between the government, industry, and education is
critical to ensure that funding and skills head in the
right direction. Adopting automation across all market
and sectors will put the UK in the best position to boost
its economy.
2021 could prove to be a pivotal year for UK
manufacturing. It is critical that the productivity gains
and subsequent growth associated with automation, is
utilised to return British manufacturing to its prominent
position on the world stage.
www.fanuc.eu/uk/en
“There can be a fear factor amongst
manufacturers when it comes to robotics.”
www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk 7
/en
/www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk