The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair will be returning to Birmingham’s NEC next year. Taking place on 21-23 June 2023, the fair is the largest celebration of STEM subjects in the UK and is free to attend. Young people will have the opportunity to take part in hands-on activities and workshops to explore what the world of STEM has to offer. Over three days, students will also get to hear first-hand from real-life scientists and engineers about the endless possibilities and exciting careers in STEM. There will be particular focus on the environment and making the world a better place.
For further information www.thebigbang.org.uk

At last month’s UK Metal Expo exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC, Tata Steel committed its Port Talbot site in Wales to becoming accredited to ‘ResponsibleSteel’. The company is also set to adopt Science Based Targets with respect to its programme of emission reductions and net-zero aspirations. Tata Steel’s chief commercial officer, Anil Jhanji, announced the move during his keynote speech. He said: “These commitments to ResponsibleSteel and SBTi are a clear statement to the world and to our customers that we mean business. It will include decarbonising every aspect of our business.”
For further information www.tatasteeleurope.com

Scottish and Australian researchers have struck a new agreement to strengthen collaboration on modern manufacturing methods that could be adapted to shipbuilding and marine operations underway in both hemispheres. An MoU between the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow – operator of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland – Flinders University in Adelaide and BAE Systems is key to the establishment of the advanced manufacturing research exchange. This will include exploring digital tools in shipbuilding, spanning automation, simulation and materials, as well as welding and joining technologies.
For further information www.nmis.scot

Four MTC Training apprentices have reached the national finals of the 2022 WorldSkills UK competition, which takes place in November. Two learners from the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre and two from Oxfordshire Advanced Skills beat competition from across the country to qualify for the finals.

Jack Leonard and Omar Awaad, first-year apprentices at FANUC UK and Regent Engineers Leicester, are finalists in the Industrial Robotics competition, while second-year apprentices Darren Mitchard and Tony Yarinakis from the Science and Technology Facilities Council will compete in the CNC Milling final. All four are completing the Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard delivered by MTC Training, which is part of the Manufacturing Technology Centre.
For further information www.the-mtc.org