NEWS
Pictured ( top row , left to right ) Graduate manufacturing technology engineer Alice Quinn , senior project engineer Jaipal Sachdev , senior manufacturing technology engineer Lisa Fletcher ; ( bottom row , l-r ): Graduate manufacturing technology engineer Sami Tesfayohannes , advanced product engineer Ione Santos and plant manager Paul Hind .
ADVICE
3M AYCLIFFE CREATES ‘ DIVERSITY ’ FILM TO SMASH STEREOTYPES IN MANUFACTURING
Industrial placement students and graduate engineers at 3M have created a video to highlight the diverse people and careers in the manufacturing sector . The science-based technology firm says it ’ s an inspirational resource , developed as part of a joint initiative with the British Science Association called # SmashingStereotypes .
It aims to challenge the stereotypical image that many young people have of engineers and to dispel the common perception that most technological breakthroughs are the result of individuals working alone .
By raising awareness of the career opportunities and types of people working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment , 3M aims to encourage and inspire young people to consider this in their study options and future career .
“ The video features interviews with a range of employees at the manufacturing plant which makes personal protective equipment , including respirators ,” said a 3M statement . “ The plant has been at the forefront of 3M ’ s drive to supply respirators during the Covid-19 pandemic .”
Interviewees include Lisa Fletcher , a manufacturing technology engineer , Alice Quinn and Sami Tesfayohannes , both graduate manufacturing technology engineers , Jaipal Sachdev , a senior project engineer and LGBT + champion , and plant manager Paul Hind .
Subjects discussed are how people in science and engineering are commonly perceived ( although the reality is very different ), what they love about their jobs , their role in advancing manufacturing technology , the benefits of working in a diverse team , plus career advice based on what they ’ d do differently at the start of their career .
ROMAN RECRUITS FOUR APPRENTICES
Aycliffe-based leading shower designer and manufacturer Roman has welcomed its four newest apprentices into different departments within the company .
Roman has recruited four new apprentices to add to the nine already working at Roman who are at different stages of an apprenticeship .
The Aycliffe firm has had an ongoing student apprenticeship scheme running for over 20 years and understands the value and benefits apprentices bring to the company .
Apprenticeships are also a great foundation for someone to go on to a successful career in industry and there are many examples of this within Roman .
Leah , 16 , and Connor , 18 , are doing an apprenticeship in design engineering , while Adam , 22 and Joe , 18 , are doing an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering after choosing to pursue their chosen careers at Roman following college .
RISE OF THE COBOTS
UK SMEs continue to view automation as a “ nice to have ” but not a necessity .
Many perceive the technology as too complex or requiring specialist expertise and that it is only there for the largest and most advanced players .
The truth is that collaborative robots - smaller , cheaper , and easier to install - are a world away from their industrial robot counterparts and well suited to SMEs .
Typically , cobots are assigned routine , repetitive tasks such as screwdriving , sanding , machine tending , welding , or palletising , freeing up humans to add value elsewhere .
A key concern for many in the manufacturing sector is that automation will steal jobs , but this is largely unfounded and much hyped by the media .
The idea of a fully automated “ lights out ” factory for most manufacturers is pure fiction ; the reality is far simpler , as the first steps toward automation start with identifying the parts of a production process which are most suitable to be automated – more simply put , the tasks that are the most dull , dirty , or dangerous .
While robots now take on many human tasks , they cannot replace them – in practice , automating processes across production frees up staff to take on more rewarding work .
Rather than replacing humans , automation will only steal the most strenuous , monotonous tasks and will likely bring about an evolution of roles .
At Cobots Online , we provide workable solutions to automate your production processes .
The return on investment is surprisingly short and with interest rates still at record lows , there has never been a better time to invest in your future .
Tony Thompson Managing director , Cobots Online
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 9