New Vocational Celebration Day launched

The UK skills sector is to hold an annual Vocational Celebration Day, a new initiative designed to shine a spotlight on the vital contributions of vocational training and skilled trades to the nation’s prosperity. The day, set to be observed every year on the first Thursday of August, honours those whose passion, expertise and dedication in vocational fields form the backbone of the UK’s economy and society. Devised and driven by former Sector Skills Council Enginuity and awarding organisation EAL, the first Vocational Celebration Day will take place on Thursday 6 August 2026.

More information https://enginuity.org/

MAG IAS names new MD and CSO

Machine tool supplier The Fair Friend Group (FFG) has appointed Bernd Hilgarth as managing director and chief sales officer (CSO) of group brand MAG IAS GmbH (MAG IAS). He will assume overall responsibility for the sales organisation of both MAG IAS and the Fair Friend Group, reporting directly to group CEO Dr Sebastian Schöning. Hilgarth has more than 30 years of experience in the machine tool industry. He began his career at Boehringer, followed by various management roles in renowned sector companies. Most recently, he held a leading sales position at the Chiron Group for over a decade.

More information https://ffg-ea.com/en/

Stronger, cheaper 3D-printed titanium

Engineers from RMIT University in Australia have produced a new type of 3D-printed titanium that is about a third cheaper than commonly used titanium alloys. The team used readily available and cheaper alternative materials to replace the increasingly expensive vanadium.

RMIT has filed a provisional patent on its innovative approach as the team considers commercial opportunities to develop the new low-cost approach for aerospace and medical device industries. RMIT’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing (RCAM) PhD candidate and study lead author Ryan Brooke says testing of the alloy shows improved strength and performance compared with standard 3D-printed titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V). 

More information www.bit.ly/3V4U4Yt

UK Battery Manufacturing Training

Helping to bridge a national skills gap that is challenging manufacturers, Atlas Copco Tools and Industrial Assembly Solutions is actively supporting a new training initiative for advanced battery manufacturing, which is the UK’s first fully accredited and industry-backed programme.

Launched by University College Birmingham, in partnership with City & Guilds and Innovate UK, the Battery Manufacturing Skills Pathway (B-MSP) is the first of its kind to be developed with the direct involvement of industry, to tackle a critical skills deficit in UK battery manufacturing. From day one, B-MSP students interact with live production equipment used in gigafactories and the broader supply chain, building their capabilities, confidence and workforce readiness.

More information www.atlascopco.com/en-uk/itba

40 years of engineering innovation at EMS

Electro Mechanical Systems (EMS), a UK-based distributor and manufacturer of precision drive solutions, is marking its 40th anniversary. Founded in Berkshire in 1985 by two employees, the company has since grown to 90 team members. Today, EMS has eight motor and actuation partners and is the sole UK and Ireland distributor of precision micro-motor manufacturer, Faulhaber. Housing 80 highly skilled workers, the site includes precision CNC gear cutting, multi-axis milling and turning, fixed- and sliding-head lathes, 3D printing, and in-house design, testing and assembly services.

More information www.ems-limited.co.uk