EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

12-year-old wins IET award

A 12-year-old from Huddersfield has won the Institution of Engineering & Technology’s (IET) national ‘Backpack to the Future’ competition. The winning entry ‘blew away’ judges with a design that filters polluted air, helping 8 million people in the UK who suffer the often-crippling effects of asthma.

The IET teamed up with global lifestyle brand HYPE, challenging youngsters to supercharge fashion with STEM and invent a backpack that helps them do incredible things. Eleanor Wood’s ‘Breathe Better Backpack’ – touchingly inspired by her Mum’s experience with asthma – features a built-in air filter and fans, powered sustainably by solar panels and a dynamo.
For further information www.engineer-a-better-world.org

First anniversary of skills partnership

Two industrial voices in the Midlands have marked the first anniversary of a partnership aimed at tackling the skills crisis facing UK manufacturers.MSC Industrial Supply Co and Next Gen Makers formed a strategic partnership at the end of 2021 to help engineering and manufacturing firms identify skills gaps and improve the quality of their apprenticeship, talent development and retention schemes.

Next Gen Makers has established a group of over 50 engineering and manufacturing firms as part of its Engineering Apprenticeships: Best Practice Programme. It enables companies to share best practice about how to run successful apprenticeship schemes, while benchmarking their individual approaches to identify areas for improvement.
For further information www.nextgenmakers.co.uk

Airbus to recruit 13,000

Building on a 2022 recruitment drive that added over 13,000 new staff members, Airbus is launching another round of hiring for 13,000 more employees with the skills necessary to support the company’s long-term projects. Approximately 25% of the recruitment will focus on jobs in fields such as decarbonisation, digital transformation, software engineering and cyber technology. Airbus will allocate a third of the total recruitment to young graduates, from which it plans to evolve future senior function and business leaders through technical and leadership development, networking and exposure to top management.
For further information www.airbus.com/en/careers

Sustainability in DNA at GFMS

Machine tool manufacturerGF Machining Solutions aims to become a sustainability leader and, to achieve this ambition, has created three inter-connected pillars within its new business strategy.These pillars cover:product sustainability;climate andresource planning; and looking after the wellbeing of its employees. The first pillar requires constant innovation to ensure products and services have sustainable lifecycles, whilethe second pillar translates into decoupling resource consumption from growth. The third pillarhas a focus on creating diverse, engaging and safe workplaces.
For further information www.gfms.com

Innovative tooling at heart of partnership

MSC Industrial Supply Co UK (MSC) and Walter Tools have entered a new supplier partnership focused on ensuring machine shops receive high-precision tooling and value-added service.

“Walter Tools’ focus on innovation and new product development matches closely with MSC’s values of providing products and services of the highest possible standard,” explains James Howarth, head of category management at MSC. “Many industries, from automotive and energy all the way to aerospace, require high-quality suppliers with whom they can work closely; who understand their needs and can recommend the right tools for the job. Walter Tools’ focus on helping customers streamline their processes resonated with MSC and is a key reason behind the forming of this partnership.”
For further information www.mscdirect.co.uk