Washington & Jefferson College

FANUC UK managing director, Tom Bouchier, has called on the government and political leaders to develop a cross-party strategy to secure the future of UK manufacturing. Speaking live at the FANUC Open House event in Coventry, he stated “Make UK’s recent report has identified that 99% of manufacturers want an industrial strategy, and 87% believe it would give their business a long-term vision. What we need now is a coherent, joined up strategy for manufacturing, with cross-party consensus, to give businesses the certainty they so badly need. As the only developing country without an industrial strategy, we’re in danger of being left behind if we can’t deliver this soon.” Increasing productivity The Open House event at FANUK UK's headquarters showcased the latest innovations in automation and robotics to help manufacturers improve the efficiency and productivity of their factories, as well as alleviate labour shortages. In attendance this morning was Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, who encouraged businesses to embrace automation “Manufacturing is a worldwide, competitive race and in order for UK firms to be competitive, they need to increase their productivity. Automation solutions such as those on display at the FANUC Open House can help UK companies to remain competitive in the long term. What’s happening here is really important for the future of our economy.” Overcoming barriers to automation Encompassing panel debates, case studies, 35 exhibitors, live robot demonstrations and the finals of the WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition, the FANUC Open House brought together figures from the world of robotics, automation, manufacturing and academia to showcase the latest innovations that are changing the face of UK factories. The morning’s first panel debate, focusing on overcoming barriers to automation, featured insights from industry leader Stuart Whitehead of the Jefferson Group, who stated: “Many UK firms are still addicted to cheap manual labour, focusing on short-term costs rather than long-term gains.” The panel agreed that highlighting the longer-term paybacks of automation – including increased efficiency and sustainability gains, as well as compensating for worker shortages – is key to encouraging greater uptake of robotics in the UK. Inspiring future talent In addition to showcasing the latest automation innovations to manufacturers, one of the event’s main aims was to encourage more young people to pursue a career in engineering. While day one centred on the future of manufacturing and day two tackled sustainability, day three focused solely on education, featuring presentations by current and past apprentices as well as the live final of the WorldSkills UK industrial robotics competition. Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said “One of my takeaways from today is that there are legions of opportunities here for young people. I’ve seen for myself by talking to the WorldSkills UK participants some of the brilliant talent that’s coming through. Engineering offers a very vibrant career pathway for our young people, stimulated by events such as FANUC’s Open House.”

FANUC UK will bring together the leaders from the world of robotics and automation for a three-day showcase event at their Coventry HQ this November to demonstrate how automation can help manufacturers address the key challenges facing their business today. Featuring over 30 exhibitors, 20+ speakers, 600+ visitors – PLUS the live final of the WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition – the FANUC Open House has now cemented its place at the heart of the automation calendar. This year’s event (14-16th November 2023, Ansty Park, Coventry) will comprise a mix of live product demonstrations, engaging panel debates and hands-on robot training, enabling manufacturers to experience the latest automation innovations. Attendees will also learn from peers and colleagues about the difference that automation has made to their operation, such as increasing efficiency, cutting costs and alleviating staff shortages. Insight from industry influencers Leading names from the world of manufacturing, engineering and automation will take to the stage across the three days, sharing their knowledge, experience and insight with hundreds of attendees. Thought leaders including FANUC UK’s MD Tom Bouchier, Stuart Whitehead of the Jefferson Group, new president & CEO of FANUC EU Marco Ghirardello and Phil Hadfield from Rockwell Automation, as well as leading UK manufacturers, will take part in a series of panel discussions, live debates and presentations on the industry’s most pressing topics. Day 1 will focus on the future of UK manufacturing, looking at barriers to future growth, the role that robotics and automation can play in boosting productivity, and the latest technology to ease production and labour headaches. Day 2 is devoted to sustainability, including ways to ease the transition to net zero and innovations to encourage energy efficiency across all facets of the manufacturing supply chain. Day 3 sees attention turn to education and ways to inspire the next generation of engineers. As well as the LIVE UK final of the WorldSkills Industrial Robotics competition, visitors can also hear first-hand testimonials from current apprentices about engineering as a career path. “At FANUC, we understand the disparate pressures affecting manufacturers today – from rising energy and material costs to ever-increasing sustainability targets and the difficulties in recruiting both skilled and unskilled labour,” says FANUC UK MD, Tom Bouchier. “By shining a spotlight on these issues and bringing together leading industry names to debate ways to address them, we hope to unite the manufacturing community and advance awareness of the numerous benefits that automation can bring.” Cutting-edge innovation Following the morning presentations, each afternoon will be dedicated to live demonstrations, both from FANUC and its partners. As well as a 30-strong exhibition area featuring demonstrations from companies such as YMT Technologies, Cyber-Weld, Nikken and Loop Technology, there will also be numerous FANUC innovations on display, including: A CRX-10iA/L cobot tending a ROBODRILL vertical machining centre on a movable Zimmer trolley, allowing the operator increased access and flexibility. An all-electric ROBOSHOT injection moulding machine tended by an LR-10iA 6-axis robot arm. Highlighting the system’s sustainability credentials, the fully automated solution will display live data showing the amount of energy being used, as well as the cost to run the cell. Plus, the first UK unveiling of the upgraded CRX-25iA cobot, featuring the latest software update which has increased its payload to 30kg! Visitors will also have the chance to get up and close and personal with FANUC’s automation solutions through the free robot training sessions taking place every afternoon. “The FANUC Open House is a truly unmissable event,” states Stuart Whitehead. “Last year’s Open House was enjoyable, informative and so well organised it should act as a blueprint for all organisations planning similar events. In excess of 600 people attended in 2022 across the three days, and I am reliably informed that even larger crowds are expected to attend this November. I will certainly be among them!” Inspiring Gen Z engineers The FANUC UK Open House 2023 will also host the final of the WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition, which aims to develop and support a future talent pipeline for the manufacturing industry. Previous winners will take to the main stage for a Q&A session with the audience, while current FANUC robotics apprentices and three recipients of the Arkwright Scholarship – paid for from the charitable contributions generated at the 2022 Open House – will also be in attendance. “With labour shortages being one of the most pressing issues for today’s manufacturers, helping to secure a future talent pipeline is a key priority for us here at FANUC,” says Tom Bouchier. “Engaging the next generation into a career in manufacturing, engineering and automation is imperative if we are to remain competitive as a nation, and we are excited to showcase the various ways in which we are working with young people to help bridge the skills gap.” To register your interest in attending the FANUC UK Annual Open House (14-16 November 2023, Ansty Park, Coventry) click here.

Madison County Employment and Training serving as lead agency on $5.8 million award to fund apprenticeships in healthcare, bioscience, and education with key partners, St. Louis County and BioSTL EDWARDSVILLE – The U.S. Department of Labor awarded Madison County and the St. Louis region workforce innovation areas a four-year, $5.8 million grant to be a part of the Apprenticeship Building America program. “We are thrilled with this announcement from the Department of Labor to be able to launch the Gateway Registered Apprenticeship Programs Hub,” Employment and Training Director Tony Fuhrmann said. Fuhrmann said the Gateway Hub, which includes six local workforce innovation areas —Madison County Employment and Training, St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department, City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and the Jefferson/Franklin Consortium in Missouri — received $5,819,104 in ABA grant funding. The project aims to register at least 750 new apprentices across the region and represents the first joint initiative between Illinois and Missouri workforce areas, Fuhrmann said “These Local Workforce Innovation Areas serve more than 13 counties and 2.4 million residents across the St. Louis metropolitan region,” Fuhrmann said. “In addition to building capacity and awareness for apprenticeships as an ‘earn-as-you-learn’ model for workforce development, the Gateway Hub will emphasize the inclusion of underserved populations in apprenticeship opportunities.” He said the target industries are education, healthcare and social assistance and bioscience manufacturing research and development were selected due to alignment with regional comprehensive economic development strategies, strong employment demand and quality of jobs and previous success in collaborating with regional employers in these fields. “We are particularly excited by the opportunity for our bi-state regional workforce development boards to work together to implement a unified local workforce strategy,” St. Louis County Workforce Development Director Gregory Laposa said. “While our workforce areas have regularly collaborated through our Regional Workforce Directors Board to establish collaborative goals and strategies, this represents our first joint grant proposal led by local boards and we are thrilled that the Department of Labor recognized the strong potential of our region to serve as a model for apprenticeship expansion.” In addition to workforce and employer partners, the Gateway Hub includes BioSTL, the non-profit innovation hub driving the bioscience sector across the St. Louis region. BioSTL will leverage the BioSTL Coalition, comprised of top business, science, academic, philanthropic, and public sector leaders, to advance registered apprenticeships across the bioscience cluster. “This project is a testament to the St. Louis region’s unique position to build a robust, inclusive talent pipeline to fuel future pandemic response and recovery, while creating new economic opportunity, diversifying the local economy, and advancing health and economic equity,” BioSTL Director of Regional Workforce Strategy Justin Raymundo said. “We look forward to leveraging the local, national, and international expertise of the BioSTL Coalition to support the impact of the Gateway Hub by convening industry, aligning workforce needs, and delivering on an inclusive strategy for St. Louis’ bioscience workforce.” Local institutions of higher education, including Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Southwestern Illinois College, Lewis and Clark Community College, St. Louis Community College, Jefferson College, and Kaskaskia Community College also will play a vital role in the project by connecting apprentices to quality education and training programs. “SIUE is a leader in online degree completion and corporate partnerships, supporting employee advancement through specialized post-secondary opportunities at the bachelor’s, post-baccalaureate, and master’s levels,” SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, said. “We are proud to collaborate with numerous members of the Gateway Hub. Together, we are building partnerships that provide transformative experiences for individuals who seek something greater through high-quality academic development and hands-on skills training.” In addition to the workforce partners, the Gateway Hub will bring together industry and employer groups, educational institutions, and community organizations designed to support the creation and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Some of the partners include: BJC HealthCare, Cortex Innovation Community, Gateway Regional Medical Center, Hospital Sisters Health System, Jersey County Hospital, MilliporeSigma, OSF Healthcare, Alton, Belleville, Collinsville, and Madison School Districts, and community organizations such as Rung for Women, the Urban League of Metro St. Louis and the YWCA of Metro St. Louis. The project is supported by regional economic development organizations such as the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois and multiple regional chambers of commerce and municipalities. “We are proud to collaborate with the Gateway Hub consortium to expand registered apprenticeship opportunities for the betterment of our workforce and our region,” BJC HealthCare President and CEO Richard J. Liekweg said. “We look forward to the impact this effort will have on the health and well-being of the region.” ### Contacts Maggie Crane | BioSTL | mcrane@biostl.org