Leading industrial automation and robotics supplier FANUC UK has welcomed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement to fully fund apprenticeships in small businesses. Taking effect from 1 April 2024, the move is expected to reduce costs and burdens for businesses and deliver more opportunities for people aged up to 21 to kick start their careers. In addition, £60 million of new government funding is being set aside for next year to ensure that, where there is demand for apprenticeships from businesses, there will be enough funding to deliver them.
“For a number of years now, we have been engaging with schools, colleges, universities and training providers to inspire and enthuse young people about careers in engineering and automation,” says FANUC UK’s Head of Sales, Oliver Selby. “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to ensure that the next generation of engineers have the qualifications, skills and experience to really help them to excel in the workplace. It will give UK businesses the support they need in finding, adopting and further developing their future talent. We therefore welcome this latest package of funding – which was announced at the neighbouring Manufacturing Technology Centre right on our doorstep here in Coventry – and are encouraged to see apprenticeships being further supported by the government.”
Inspiring the next generation
As part of its long-term strategy to revolutionise the training provision and support around automation, FANUC UK has spearheaded a number of initiatives aimed at recruiting more Gen Z entrants into the engineering space. From school outreach projects and work experience placements for under 16s to its partnership with the WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition and investment in apprentices of its own – as well as developing a Training Academy which offers accredited courses that can feed into mainstream education – FANUC is committed to delivering valuable hands-on robotics experience and automation education to young people.
Oliver adds: “Along with our partners here in the UK and Europe, FANUC are actively developing educational content and accredited delivery methods for skills that support the adoption of automation, such as simulation and programming, as well as wider skills like the creation of business cases for automation investment.”
