Category: Latest News

Universities fear government reforms will stifle manufacturing sector demand for higher and degree apprenticeships

The government’s forthcoming apprenticeship reforms will deter many manufacturing employers from upskilling their workforce via higher and degree apprenticeships, according to 69% of the nation’s universities. Research by the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) of its university members across the UK, examines what impact future changes, such as the government’s new Growth and Skills Levy, […]

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Enabling modern manufacturing

Resistors are indispensable in the transition to smarter, safer and more sustainable factories, but their contribution is often overlooked. Here, Mike Torbitt, managing director of resistor manufacturer Cressall, explains how resistors ensure the reliability and efficiency of factory operations, from motor control to safely stopping equipment in the case of emergencies. In manufacturing’s modernisation shift, […]

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Women-in-water’s voices must be heard 

Perminder Atwal, HR business partner at Xylem, discusses experiences of working in water with her podcast co-host Lila Thompson, British Water chief executive.  Women currently make up 33% of the water workforce, according to a 2024 report from Energy & Utility Skills. While this is an encouraging increase – in 2022, the figure was 29.1% […]

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New research from MindMetre reveals current obstacles to the pace of digital transformation in manufacturing

New research from analysts MindMetre, Driving Digital Dynamics, conducted among over 1,000 manufacturing companies worldwide, has highlighted four top factors deemed to be holding back the pace of digital transformation in industry:- Management understanding to assess the benefits, risks, return-on-investment and best-practice journeys for digital transformation. The data challenge to capture, manage and leverage digital […]

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James Cropper Launches SURFACETEC™

James Cropper, a leading global Advanced Materials specialist, has launched SURFACETEC™, an advanced veil solution that improves the performance, durability and sustainability of composite materials. SURFACETEC streamlines composite manufacturing by enhancing surface quality, optimising resin flow, imparting functionality and reducing process complexity. Perfectly suited for industries that demand greater efficiency and cost savings, SURFACETEC will […]

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A visit to Pentzold Metallbearbeitung und Musterfertigung

Holger Pentzold learnt and worked at Heckert and has since remained loyal to the Heckert brand in his own company: “I know what the machines are capable of, and I can rely on them 100%.” His company, a service provider for precision machining, is based at the ITC – the Chemnitz Industry and Technology Centre […]

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Importance of degree apprenticeships to the manufacturing and engineering sectors laid bare by new study

A recent report has lifted the lid on the importance of degree apprenticeships to the manufacturing and engineering sectors by highlighting the critical role they play in driving productivity, social inclusion and tackling the skills gap. The findings come from Manchester Metropolitan University, a University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) member organisation, which conducted the study […]

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