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With robotics predicted to be one of the world's next hot growth areas, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Bournemouth and Poole College gave a number of apprentice IT specialists, systems engineers, control engineers, production system engineers and technologists an exciting opportunity to hone their skills at an expert class in building robots.
The class, which took place on 23rd May at the college, demonstrated the accessibility of robotics engineering, an area of training which has traditionally been confined to hi-tech research units utilising costly equipment.
From anti-terrorism and space exploration to eye surgery and food production, to robots helping in the home, the UK Government and key industries have invested considerable resource and investment in the research and development of robotics.
The UK is the sixth largest manufacturing industry in the world and is increasingly leaning on robotic technology to boost automation in order to compete with production in other markets. By the end of 2010, the total number of operational robots in industries will reach 1.2 million worldwide - a third of these will be operating in Europe.
The expert class at Bournemouth and Poole College focused on object orientated programming and utilises robots that could be quickly built and programmed by the learners in the first two stages of the class. Once this was complete, the learners found out if their robots made the grade as they performed a series of practical tasks, a mini 'Robot Wars', to complete the session.
Stephen Gardner, Director of Apprenticeships at the LSC, says: "There is no doubt robots will become an integral part of tomorrow's workplace. Already, robotics cuts across a staggeringly diverse cross-section of industries both in the UK and internationally. We recognise that there is an urgent need to invest in enhancing a similarly diverse skills base and equip tomorrow's workforce for the development and application of robotic technology."
Last year over 110,000 apprentices achieved their Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are increasingly being used as a pathway to university, often part time and with financial support from their employer whilst they continue to work.
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