Leading industrial automation specialist FANUC UK is continuing its commitment to inspire the next generation of engineers by supporting a search to find the UK’s best young robotics talent. For the fifth year in succession, the company is partnering with WorldSkills UK for the annual Industrial Robotics competition, aimed at giving young people the opportunity to learn how to programme a robot, enhance their engineering prowess, develop valuable workplace skills such as timekeeping and teamwork – and even earn the chance to represent Squad UK at the international finals in Tokyo.
The competition is open to teams of two young people, who must be within a year of completing a relevant Level 3 Apprenticeship and/or hold qualifications in an engineering-based subject (to a minimum Level 3 or equivalent). The contest has been designed to accommodate participants with different abilities and is accessible to those with little to no knowledge of robotic systems, as well as those with a robotics background.
Hands-on robotics training
The first stage of the competition takes place online from 22-25 April 2025 and will comprise a virtual task using FANUC’s Robot Simulation Software. Successful competitors will then be invited to take part in the live Qualifiers Round, where they will complete a timed robot task at the Smart Factory Expo at the NEC, Birmingham on 4-5 June.
FANUC’s team of robotics experts will provide hands-on training to participants ahead of the National Finals, to be held in Coventry on 11-13 November 2025 at FANUC UK’s Open House event. Eligible competitors will then have the chance to represent Squad UK at the International Finals in Tokyo.
The current UK champions are Aled Gore and Morgan Leyson, both aged 21 and studying Mechanical Engineering at Bridgend College, in conjunction with Renishaw. When asked about the value of competing in the WorldSkills UK competition, Aled said: “FANUC is the number one company in the automation industry. Competing with their support enabled me to get a head start in learning about robotics and has boosted my CV.”
Morgan added: “I entered in the hope that the contest would help me to grow as a person, and hopefully provide me with opportunities to get into programming in the future.”
Inspiring a love of engineering
For FANUC, the WorldSkills UK competition has become an annual fixture and forms an integral part of the company’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of engineers and plugging the skills gap. “Year-on-year, we’ve seen the quality of participants improve and I’m sure that 2025 will be no different,” says Paul Coombes, competition organiser and Head of Technical for FANUC UK.
“There are so many benefits to taking part in the WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition – not least the chance to learn from real automation experts how to programme actual robots, hopefully kickstarting a love of robotics that could lead to a future career in the industry. But also, soft skills such as teamwork, record keeping and presenting. And of course, the chance to boost your CV and stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs and apprenticeships in the future. I’d encourage anyone with an interest in engineering to give it a try – you really do have nothing to lose!”
How to apply: Register in teams of two via the WorldSkills UK website from 3-28 March 2025: www.worldskillsuk.org/competitions/industrial-robotics.
