GENERAL NEWS
Latest event postponements
As COVID-19 uncertainty continues to affect international events in the global sheet metal arena , we summarise the latest event postponements here .
LAMIERA , the international exhibition focused on sheet metal forming machine tools and innovative technologies related to the sector , scheduled to take place in Milan from 26-29 May 2021 , has now been officially postponed for one year . The new date of the event promoted by UCIMU- SISTEMI PER PRODURRE and organised by CEU-CENTRO ESPOSIZIONI UCIMU is 25-28 May 2022 .
Barbara Colombo , President of UCIMU- SISTEMI PER PRODURRE , commented : “ The decision to reschedule and postpone LAMIERA until May 2022 has been taken with a great sense of responsibility . It is clear that the next two months will be difficult due to the ongoing development of the COVID-19 pandemic , which shows more worrisome features in this surge than in the past . For this reason , we have decided to postpone the exhibition . However , manufacturers in this sector have been offered participation in EMO MILANO 2021 , a significant international show ( 4-9 October 2021 ).”
The Made in Steel 2021 exhibition in Italy has also been postponed from May to October 2021 . The conference and exhibition in Southern Europe , dedicated to the steel industry and organised by siderweb – the steel community , will now be held from 5-7 October 2021 at fieramilano Rho , partially synchronising with EMO MILANO 2021 ( 4-9 October 2021 ).
“ We have listened to the concerns and requests of professionals in the steel value chain , of which we feel a part , and we decided to postpone the 2021 edition of Made in Steel from May to early October . This was not easy and we have to thank Fiera Milano and the international event EMO for the effort made ,” said the event organiser .
In further news , SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN , citing lack of planning certainty and international travel restrictions , has cancelled its 2021 event . The international trade fair for joining , cutting and coating , which attracts around 50,000 visitors , will now be held in Essen , Germany from 11-15 September 2023 . However , the event organiser plans to hold a Summit at Messe Essen for added value from 14-17 September 2021 . n
Above : Scenes from Schweissen and Schneiden in Essen , Germany .
Left : Barbara Colombo , President , UCIMU .
Coalition to address skills gaps in manufacturing
FANUC and Rockwell Automation in the USA have formed a coalition to address manufacturing skills gaps , with robotics and automation apprenticeship programmes designed to upskill current and future workers for jobs in advanced manufacturing , robotics and automation .
The coalition includes APT , a FANUC and Rockwell Automation systems integrator , and NOCTI Business Solutions which provides independent assessments of occupational standards and validation using recognized International Organization for Standardization ( ISO ) process validation methods . Franklin Apprenticeships is also a key partner of the coalition , ensuring apprenticeship support structure and success enablers for employers and apprentices .
The coalition has developed new apprenticeship programmes offering people opportunities to gain credentials that include fundamental robotics ( Robot Operator ) and automation ( PLC Operator ). The programme offers a second level of credentials for Robot and PLC Technicians . A third credentialing level called Integration Specialist builds on the fundamental and technical skills that teaches people to operate and troubleshoot integrated FANUC-Rockwell Automation technologies . All the new apprenticeship offerings aim to provide ‘ more people with fulfilling careers and help companies to bridge the demand for skilled workers ’.
“ Our number one goal is to help create a worker pipeline that will not only help people increase their skills and future earning potential , but also help manufacturers to achieve their production goals and maintain a thriving economy ,” said Paul Aiello , Director of Education , FANUC America . “ In most cases , current and future workers can complete the apprenticeship skills training and achieve their industry-recognised certifications in less than one year . It ’ s also important to note that these programmes support all types of apprenticeship and certification models , including pre-apprenticeships .”
“ As industry adopts new technologies , it is vital to be able to quickly adapt with a well-trained workforce ,” added Michael
Cook , Director Global Academic Organization , Rockwell Automation . “ Having the most current standards will drive manufacturing competitiveness and simultaneously grow new talent to these new occupations , upskill current employees and allow companies to be more agile in their workforce planning .”
The apprenticeship programmes aim to help companies rapidly upskill employees at every level from operator to technician up to integration system specialist .
In addition to improving the skills of current production workers , these programmes aim to be extremely valuable for engineers who are working to implement new automation systems and processes that require new employees trained in the latest automation technologies .
Over 40 companies , including Dana , Magna , Tyson Foods and Flex-N-Gate , have agreed to support and participate in apprenticeships for automation technologies , ensuring that their employees receive adequate training and are qualified to succeed . n
10 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR April 2021