THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

UK degree in space systems engineering

BAE Systems and the University of Portsmouth have launched the UK’s first-ever degree apprenticeship in Space Systems Engineering. Applications are now open for the initial intake of space degree apprentices. The new recruits will be part of exciting projects such as Azalea, which is due to launch its first multi-sensor low Earth orbit satellite cluster in 2025 to deliver intelligence in real-time to military customers.

Apprentices will learn on-the-job critical skills at BAE Systems’ sites in Alton and Guildford, including system and mission analysis, software development and electronics from some of the industry’s most talented people. At the University of Portsmouth, apprentices will undertake a BEng in Space Systems Engineering. This four and half year course will provide them with the latest skills in CAD, telecommunication systems, space science, space mission design, and materials and manufacture.

For further information www.bit.ly/3uzl6xq

10 years of delivering apprenticeships

University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre is celebrating 10 years of delivering apprenticeships, helping to transform lives, forge strong partnerships and create an engineering workforce fit for the future. Since the first cohort of apprentices started in 2013, the AMRC Training Centre has delivered more than 1700 apprenticeships from advanced level through to degree, worked with 400 different businesses of all sizes and provided continuous professional development to upskill and reskill existing workforces. 

Nikki Jones, director of the AMRC Training Centre, says: “We must continue to invest in apprenticeships nationally and continue to support all employers – large or small – to take on apprentices. They bring new skills and fresh ideas. Innovation and a skilled workforce are different sides of the same coin; they are both essential to economic growth and you cannot have one without the other.”

For further information www.amrctraining.co.uk

Strong end to 2023 at UR

Universal Robots, the Danish collaborative robot (cobot) company, has reported Q4 revenue of $103m, up 21% on Q4 2022. The quarter was the company’s largest revenue quarter to date.In 2023, Universal Robots experienced strong demand for the first of its heavypayload cobots, the UR20, particularly for palletising and welding applications. In November, the business launched the second model in its new series of cobots, the UR30, which will make new automation possibilities available to customers. The UR20 and UR30 together represented 30% of Q4 revenue.

For further information www.universal-robots.com

CMZ turns over £110m

Spanish lathe builder CMZ says it exceeded all forecasts by achieving a turnover of £110m in the 2023 financial year. Equating to 549 machines delivered at an average delivery rate of 2.52 lathes per day, this historic milestone means the company has beaten all the goals set by its 2021-2023 strategic plan. This plan set out CMZ’s ambition to reach £100m turnover by the end of 2024. Hence, not only has the company beaten this goal by 10%, it has also achieved it a year ahead of schedule. Some 75% of the 549 machines delivered were exported to other countries.

For further information www.cmz.com

UK demand for VERICUT drives changes

Due to continued expansion of the VERICUT user base and increasing demand for CGTech’s CNC machine simulation, verification and optimisation products, the software company has restructured its UK sales operations and expanded its technical support division.Jonathan Hollinworth, formerly UK technical support engineer, moves into a sales position delivering technical sales to existing and prospective customers in the north of England and Scotland.CGTech has also appointed two new technical support engineers: James Williams and Paul Goodson. Bothhave already completed intensive initial training.

For further information www.cgtech.co.uk