South East Partners Secure Funding To Tackle Robotics Skills Shortage

A major new initiative aimed at helping businesses across the South East strengthen their robotics and automation skills has secured more than £200,000 in funding from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Led by Canterbury Christ Church University the RAISE – SE project, Robotics Adoption, Industry Skills and Engagement – Southeast, aims to create a new regional robotics skills network. It will bring together a consortium of universities, colleges, employers and community partners to tackle critical skills and workforce shortages, and accelerate the adoption of robotics and automation across the South East.

The consortium includes EKC Group, Didactic Services Ltd, Future Skills CIC, Amphenol Ltd, and HSSMI Consulting Ltd. Together, the partners will develop and deliver a co-ordinated programme of professional Continuing Professional Development (CPD), outreach activities and employer engagement designed to support the adoption of robotics technologies and emerging technologies across the region.

Abbie Kempe, Director of Enterprise, Research and Innovation Services at Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this funding from Innovate UK, which will bring together education and industry for the benefit of our region. It represents a significant investment in the South East’s future workforce, and demonstrates the power of collaboration between universities, colleges and industry to help people develop the skills needed for future employment opportunities, as well as supporting local businesses to embrace new technology, improve productivity and drive sustainable economic growth.

“The South East is home to more than 1.36 million businesses, of which 99.3% are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), yet many face challenges in accessing the technical skills needed to adopt emerging technologies and remain competitive. RAISE-SE will help to strengthen the region’s innovation capacity by connecting industry needs with education and skills development, addressing technician-level robotics skills shortages and supporting wider technology adoption.”

Tudor Price, Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Kent and Medway Local Skills Plan for the Manufacturing Sector highlights a clear challenge for employers. As automation, robotics and digital technologies become increasingly important to productivity and competitiveness, businesses continue to face shortages of higher-level technical skills.

“RAISE-SE is a valuable employer-led response, creating practical and flexible pathways that will help people develop the capabilities needed to adopt and maximise emerging technologies. Importantly, it will support SMEs to strengthen workforce skills, embrace innovation and unlock future growth opportunities.”

Addressing a critical skills gap

RAISE-SE responds to a growing challenge facing UK industry. While robotics and automation are transforming industry, many employers struggle to recruit workers with the skills required to install, operate, maintain and integrate robotic systems.

Existing provision is heavily focused on higher-level engineering and robotics design, leaving a significant gap in practical technician-level training. RAISE-SE has been developed to address this need directly. At the heart of the project, is a new programme designed for a wider range of learners from GCSE level through to degree offering flexible industry-informed learning for technicians, operators, career changers and those seeking to enter emerging technology sectors. The programme will be co-designed with employers to ensure learners gain the skills most in demand by industry, from robotics awareness and safe operation through to maintenance, commissioning and systems integration.

Creating opportunities across the South East

Alongside workforce development, the project also aims to inspire the next generation of engineers and technicians through engagement with schools, colleges and community groups across Kent and the wider South East.

Building on Canterbury Christ Church University’s award winning and extensive STEM outreach networks, the programme will provide hands-on experiences, career guidance and progression opportunities, with a particular focus on supporting underrepresented groups.

Driving regional innovation and growth

The project will support businesses to understand and adopt robotics technology, while strengthening the talent pipeline needed for long-term innovation. By combining skills development with employer engagement and industry-led CPD training, the consortium aims to create a sustainable model that can continue beyond the initial funding period and provide a blueprint for similar initiatives elsewhere in the UK.

Dr Soumya Manna is Project Lead and a Principal Lecturer in Design Engineering at the University. He said: “We are proud to lead RAISE-SE through the support of Innovate UK under the Robotics Adoption Programme Skills Development scheme. This funding enables Canterbury Christ Church University and our partners to build a connected robotics skills platform across the South East. Together, we can deliver inclusive, industry informed CPD that supports everyone from young people not in education and training (NEET) to technicians and professionals, By helping people develop these skills we can help build and enhance our regional robotics and automation workforce capability, supporting businesses to improve productivity and long-term regional economic growth”.

The announcement comes as a major new initiative between universities and employers sets out practical steps for supporting graduates into the world of work has been launched by Universities UK.

The Future Jobs Roadmap sets out a series of steps for universities, business and government to take to better support graduates into work. It comes at a pivotal time as the government develops its ten-year plan and industrial strategy, universities are stepping forward with a practical offer to help deliver the high-level skills, graduate talent and growth the country needs. It also responds to the wider pressures facing young people entering the Labour market.