March 2019

| 0 4 | March 2019 www.smartmachinesandfactories.com | NEWS | The newly launched Smart Industry series of: Demystifying the jargon: How to make the digitalisation transition will address and unravel the vast array of conflicting information around 4IR, discussing the practicalities, technologies and issues surrounding transition and implementation of digitalisation in manufacturing across key market sectors in clear and concise language. Digitalisation presents huge opportunities for British manufacturing over the next decade. However in the UK there is an enormous information vacuum, and many SMEs need urgent guidance in clear and concise language in order to prepare for this transformation, so as not to be left behind their global competitors. Therefore the conferences’ main aim is to provide a practical, jargon-free opportunity to those starting out on the digital transformation process, to experience a complete smart roadmap, highlighting the incremental stages of the 4IR journey covering all aspect of the digital transformation. Aimed at the drivers of UK manufacturing SME’s, each Smart Industry Conference will uniquely focus on sector specific issues in Food & Drink; Automotive; and Aerospace sectors. Speakers with practical experience of introducing a digitalisation strategy will provide a fascinating and clear-cut insight into the issues facing our industry now, using real life case study examples. The conference programme will be CPD accredited, giving added value and assurance of quality. All Smart conference delegates will receive a recognised certificate of attendance and gain CPD points through our membership and recognition through the CPD Certification Service. Smart Industry Conference dates: Food & Drink 22nd May 2019 National Conference Centre, Birmingham Smart Industry Automotive 12th September 2019 Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre (MTC), Coventry Smart Industry Aerospace 6th November 2019 The Bristol Hotel, Bristol For further information please contact: stuart.humphrey@dfamedia.co.uk Or visit: www.smartconferences.org.uk Smart Industry Conferences launched T he Mayor of Greater Manchester has called on all schools and community groups to get involved in this year’s “If you were an engineer, what would you do?” competition. Last year the competition attracted over 37,000 entries nationally, and over 2400 were from Greater Manchester. Speaking at the launch to a room full of school pupils, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Sometimes in life you think there are things you can’t do, but actually you can. It’s all about believing in yourself. All of you could be the engineers of the future. “The reason we’re supporting you and this brilliant initiative is that as Mayor of Greater Manchester, I need you to think big. You are going to be the people who lead our industry forward in the future. “Just as Greater Manchester led the first industrial revolution, we want to lead the fourth industrial revolution using digital technology and by making sure what we do is zero carbon. That’s why we want to find the engineers of the future to help our city-region be at the forefront of the big change that’s to come. “Nothing should hold you back. Have those big dreams and see if you can make them reality.” Siemens, the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe, has an office in Manchester and funds the competition along with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Justin Kelly, Siemens director of corporate communications and business is an engineer and said: “A career in engineering can be rewarding and highly motivating. Modern day engineers are the architects of the world in which we all live: aerospace; computing; defence and manufacturing are just a few of the sectors that the curious mind of an engineer can make a difference and carve-out a successful career. This competition goes a long way to help identify budding engineers. Primary Engineer Programmes also works with schools to train teachers on how to develop these latent skills”. The engineering sector employs 5.6 million people in the UK and needs 203,000 people with level 3+ engineering skills every year to meet demand. Dr. Susan Scurlock MBE, a former school teacher and founder of Primary Engineer Programmes said: “The competition is open to all boys and girls. Last year we saw a fifty/fifty gender split among entrants. Our Mayor calls on schools to help Greater Manchester lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution