ESP visit for STEM promotion
May 2018
SP Automation & Robotics were delighted to welcome the college managers across Scotland from Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) to our manufacturing facility last week. It is extremely encouraging to learn first-hand that academics are promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects from a young age to ensure that today’s youth develop the correct skills. Exposure to Industry also plays a major role in helping them understand why they have to learn these skills.
Roddy Scott, sector manager at ESP, described the session as extremely useful for their managers with a real focus on the practicalities around training and education for industry in the areas of Industry 4.0, automation and digital manufacturing. He will also be following up on the offer from our partner at Beckhoff, Alan Smith, regional manager, in regards to forming a strong link with Scotland’s colleges and appropriate staff.
It was great to have some insight into the needs of industry from Roy and Alan who are heavily involved in providing solutions to manufacturing companies. Roddy Scott, ESP, sector manager.
Reflecting on the visit, Rachel Tulloch, project support manager at ESP found the visit enlightening. She believed the visit to be hugely beneficial to hear both Roy and Alan’s experience and expertise.
It was clear to both myself and our college managers that the focus on automation should be now and not something to think about in the future as our manufacturers are already well established on their Industry 4.0 journey. Rachel Tulloch, ESP, project support manager.
It is important that academics and industry work closely to ensure that the curriculum being delivered is relevant to what is needed in the working environment. Just as industry needs to keep abreast of technology, so does academia. Budgets need to be spent on what’s not just relevant now but on equipment that can evolve as technology moves forward. Many educational institutions are grateful to receive “old” technology to help their students learn. The problem with this is that it then teaches the student the wrong protocols for the real world. Working with Industrial partners, with knowledgeable guidance on what is required, is key in helping make this happen.
It was extremely reassuring to hear the issues faced by Industry when recruiting academically trained employees, were echoed and understood by academia. Proactive discussions between industry and education, such the one with ESP, are the only way to close the gap to allow us to mitigate skills shortages for the future. It is not just about new technology, it is also important to ensure the next generation also have core fundamental training as part of their curriculum.
Both Rachel and Roddy will be joining us again at our Automation Expo held on the 23rd and 24th of this month (May).
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