For whoever collects the keys to No 10 on Friday, overhauling the UK’s sclerotic industrial strategy will be top of the in-tray. All the major parties’ manifestos covered new uses for AI, but there was scant mention of the technology most likely to boost our vital manufacturing sector — robotics.
While basic robots have been used on manufacturing lines since the early 1960s, today’s advanced machines can both increase productivity by an average of 16 per cent and cut production costs by up to 30 per cent, according to the Boston Consulting Group.
But this doesn’t mean robots will wipe out human jobs. The new generation of tech is being billed as “co-bots”, working in co-operation with human handlers to take over the most repetitive, mundane and ergonomically challenging tasks. Smaller, nimbler and cheaper than conventional robots, co-bots also open up automation to SME firms, helping them to fill skills shortages.
Mark Gray is UK & Ireland manager of Sheffield-based Universal Robots. He says: “The robotics industry has traditionally been dominated by large, complex machines that require significant up-front investment and in-house expertise to keep them running. But the increasing adoption of more flexible and cost-effective collaborative co-bots has democratised access to robotics across businesses of all sizes leading to growth.”
Despite being a world leader in robotics at university level, historically the UK has had the lowest robot density in the whole of the G7, with only 111 robots for every 10,000 manufacturing workers.
Tech experts claim the burgeoning sector is now at an inflection point, with industries from food to healthcare to logistics recognising the value of robotics in enhancing efficiency and productivity.
Advertisement
However, the UK needs to adopt robotics at a rapid rate to remain competitive — and this relies on tens of thousands of new skilled workers entering the sector in the next few years.
Mike Wilson, chief automation officer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, estimates there are currently about 45 UK-based businesses designing and selling robots and a further 250 system integrators and component suppliers. In total, they employ just 20,000 people, so the potential for rapid growth is huge.
“The adoption of robotics is projected to boost the UK’s GDP by as much as 10.3 per cent by 2030,” he said.
The current robotics landscape is split between start-ups and major players such as CMR, Ocado and Dyson, making it tough for new and inexperienced staff to enter the industry.
To counter this, industry body Automate UK has lobbied to create a new robotics apprenticeship pathway, signalling a departure from the traditional route of pursuing a degree followed by industry placements. The aim is to create a more accessible and practical entry point into the field, similar to the training level of electricians.
Advertisement
Key roles for the future include robotics programming and automation engineering, with a growth rate predicted to be three times faster than the average profession over the next decade.
Gray backs the move. “Robots open up the route to automation for the iPad generation,” he said. “Young people who have grown up with touch screens have a good understanding of software and how to interact with it, which makes learning programming languages much easier, while their natural curiosity in technology can add value to the economy and drive innovation.”
Tips to enter the robotics industry
The rapid rise of the robotics industry means the entry routes in are changing quickly too. Here’s how to secure your first role.
• Stay informed: Keep updated with the latest technological developments. Follow news from robotics companies and research institutions to understand emerging trends and applications.
• Undertake free training resources available online to gain a foundational understanding of robotics technology without any financial investment.
• Be prepared for change: Be open to new technologies and methodologies within the robotics field. Demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to adapt to changing industry trends and advancements. Companies value employees who can quickly learn and apply new technologies to solve complex problems.
• Continually develop your skills: Add to your skill set all the time. This could mean trying out new roles in different companies, or exploring new industries, which will keep you open to new developments and technologies to help build a long-term career.
• Age is not a barrier: Historically, manufacturing has involved long hours and repetitive manual material handling, which has often made the sector unattractive to young people. Robotics will change this focus. If you are older, seek out employers that are actively using robotics technology to promote an age-inclusive workforce.
Case study: You don’t have to be a specialist engineer
Jacob Born Madsen is a lead product manager for Universal Robots. The 31-year-old initially trained as an electronics engineer but swapped roles after seeing a co-bot in action on his previous firm’s production line.
Advertisement
Jacob said: “If you want to improve people’s working lives, robotics is a very good place for you to be. There are still too many jobs where people work like a robot, without the need for human creativity or ingenuity. Modern robotics is about “Automation for Anyone. Anywhere” and how we create better roles in factories and shops for humans.
“The biggest myth in robotics is that you have to be an expert engineer. I have met great robotics product managers who have a business degree and are not very technical. The most important quality is empathy for your customers. Understand the pain that they feel and how you can change it for them through automation.”
Closing the gender pay gap
⬤ Aerospace and finance are closing the gender pay gap faster than any other UK sectors, a new report from jobs platform Adzuna reveals. A year ago, the aerospace industry had a huge pay disparity between men and women averaging 55 per cent, but this has dropped to 29 per cent, while finance has fallen from 37 per cent to 30 per cent. Medicine, social services and the media are the most equal professional level payers. Adzuna’s Andrew Hunter said: “Britain’s gender disparities remain a headache.”
⬤Over three-quarters of UK workers have experienced burnout symptoms in the last year, with 23 per cent of sickness leave now attributed to the phenomenon. However 43 per cent of organisations do not track burnout levels. Sammy Rubin, CEO of YuLife, which produced the report said: “As a widespread issue affecting a large proportion of employees, there is a need for employers to recognise burnout and address it proactively to maintain a healthy and productive workforce.”
⬤ Matching managers and supervisors who share similar goals could boost company productivity. A new study from Durham University Business School reveals that when an employee is well-aligned with their manager, they are more likely to feel a connection to the organisation and to speak up with fresh ideas to improve performance. Dr Janey Zheng, professor of leadership, said: “Aligning the motivations of managers and workers should be a key goal for any organisation.”
Advertisement
⬤ Half of disabled professionals have declined job offers due to travel requirements which they felt they couldn’t meet. The study from Amex GBT shows 63 per cent of disabled staff have observed colleagues progressing faster due to easier access to travel opportunities. Accessibility advocate Derek Moxam from Amex GBT says: “Inadequate accommodation and services and the lack of standardization and experience between airlines, hotels, ground transport and ground services are obstacles that can be incredibly discouraging and limit our professional and personal growth.”
Appointment of the week
British International Investment is seeking a director/managing director CIO for Blended Finance. As the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, the organisation has supported sustainable business growth in developing and emerging markets for 75 years.
Currently holding £8.1 billion in net assets, with £9 billion in new investments planned over the next five years, concessional capital and blended finance are increasingly important parts of BII’s proposition.
As CIO Blended Finance, you will oversee the integration of blended finance principles into the investment decision-making process and portfolio management to maximise impact.
Reporting to the CIO, the chosen candidate will work collaboratively with the investment teams and sector heads on blended finance transactions. Leading, developing and motivating a team, you will oversee the risk/return balance of concessional investments across their lifecycle.
Advertisement
You will also chair the kinetic investment committees and serve as a member of other investment committees.
Applicants will have experience gained in banking, investments, private equity, development finance or a multilateral development bank and will bring direct experience of blended finance transactions.
Apply by July 28 at appointments.thetimes.com