UK Manufacturing will benefit from jobs created by robots

We all know that automation and robotics increase productivity and efficiency and growth but a recent study published recently by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) in Tokyo demonstrates that 3 million jobs have been directly created in recent years by the use of robots and a further 1 million positions estimated globally by 2016. The survey, on the positive impact of industrial robots on employment, was conducted by the market research firm, Metra Martech. And now the UK Government has funded The Automating Manufacturing Programme, which aims to increase the competitiveness of UK manufacturing, create growth and in turn result in greater employment. Commenting on the programme, British Automation and Robots Association (BARA) chairman Mike Wilson said: "This is great news for British manufacturing. The IFR study highlights the importance of robotics to the future growth of UK industry and the jobs it will create as a result. The recently launched government funded Automating Manufacturing Programme is providing assistance to companies looking to use automation to improve competitiveness and drive growth." "Together we can make UK manufacturing the best in the world and create the jobs that our country needs," he concluded The report found that between 2000-2008, manufacturing employment increased in nearly every major industrialised country, even as the use of industrialised robotics increased sharply. This trend is now being seen in China, Brazil and other emerging markets as they rapidly increase their use of robotics. In Brazil, the number of robots almost quadrupled during the study period with both production and employment rising by over 20%. The Government is providing up to £600,000 of funding to promote automation in UK manufacturing, through the PPMA Group. To apply for a government funded review that involves a totally independent automation and robotics specialist visiting premises to conduct a confidential review and advise where automation can assist, increase productivity and drive growth, contact grant.collier@ppma.co.uk