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n NEWS October 2021 www.drivesncontrols.com 6 AROUND 1.2 MILLION green jobs could be created in the UK’s manufacturing and construction sectors by 2050 – but only if the Government provides the right assistance, such as introducing a green skills tax credit to encourage manufacturers to upskill more of their staff – according to a new report from the manufacturers’ body, Make UK, and the business management specialist, Sage. The report, Unlocking the Skills Needed for a Digital and Green Future , also suggests that digitally-enabled energy efficiency could be saving UK businesses £6bn by 2030. It argues that British manufacturers are leading the charge towards net-zero by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, and moving to renewable and sustainable energy sources. The report is based on a survey of UK manufacturers which reveals that: n 98% of manufacturers are aware of the Government’s net-zero target, with 92% saying this is achievable in their own businesses by 2050; n 77% plan to set their own net-zero targets within two years; n 62% say their workers have the green skills needed, but a third are experiencing a skills gap; and n 70% of businesses have invested in training for their employees in the past year to improve their digital application knowledge. According to the report, UK manufacturers are training their staff in the latest technologies – including smart monitoring, remote sensing, data analytics and clean production – to give them the right skills for digital and green initiatives. “Britain’s manufacturers have long shown that they are at the forefront of innovation globally and they have already gone a long way to improve their processes and production in the quest to reach net-zero,”comments Make UK CEO, Stephen Phipson.“But in order that they continue at speed, business needs Government to play its part in driving the process forward. “To that end, Government needs to prioritise educational resources to make sure there is an increased provision of training at the higher skill levels of degree standard or above level 5,”he adds“This will help to make sure industry has the skills it needs to take advantage of the opportunities in the digital and green economy. They should look to implement a green skills tax credit to encourage manufacturers to train their employees in the latest green skills and introduce a Help to Grow Green programme for managers and leaders to train them in the latest sustainable manufacturing processes and procedures.” https://drivesncontrols.news/5y6dq5 UK could create 1.2m green jobs in the manufacturing and construction sectors p Aerotech , the US manufacturer of precision motion control and positioning systems, has set up a subsidiary dedicated to designing and building equipment for surface measurement applications. Called Peak Metrology , and based at Aerotech's Pittsburgh headquarters, it will draw on the company’s expertise in positioning systems, but will focus on surface measurement applications, offering product development, engineering, installation and training services. p Digi-Key Electronics , the global distributor of automation and electronic components, has formed a distribution partnership with Siemens to offer its automation and control products including PLCs, HMIs and heavy- duty switches to customers around the world. p The industrial supplies and services provider Rubix has launched a cutting tools and machining division that will provide access to cutting tools, bespoke tooling, as-new regrind and recoating services, and on-site technical support. Rubix Cutting & Machining integrates Rubix’s cutting and machining technical competency centres and specialist engineers across the UK. Nigel Banks, MD of Rubix’s UK services division, will run the new business. p SKF has acquired two companies: Efolex , a Swedish manufacturer of industrial lubrication and oil filtration systems; and Rubico Consulting , a consultancy specialising in visualisation and signal data analysis, also based in Sweden. SKF says that Efolex will widen its lubrication management capabilities, while Rubico’s expertise will be integrated into its rotating shaft capabilities as well as contributing to areas such as bearings with fibre optic sensors. Details of the transactions have not been revealed. p The global market for electric motors will expand from $105bn in 2020 to reach $195bn by 2030, representing a CAGR of 6.3% over the ten-year period, according to the analyst P&S Intelligence . It says that electric vehicles and the need to boost energy efficiency are the two main factors driving the market. Sales of stepper motors will rise from $2.5bn in 2019 to $3.7bn by 2030 – a CAGR of 3.4%. www.psmarketresearch.com NEWS BRIEFS THE TALKING INDUSTRY SERIES of online panel discussions that were born during the pandemic lockdown will become a live forum for the first time when the Drives & Controls Show and associated events return to Bimingham NEC next April. The Talking Industry Webinars have built up a considerable following since the series kicked off last year and have developed a reputation for lively discussion between experts on topics that are relevant to the manufacturing, automation and engineering sectors. The new in-person format will be called Talking Industry Live. It will include seminars that reflect the global transition to smart manufacturing and will include panel discussions offering insights into what you might find in plants of the future. Full plans are still being drawn up and a detailed programme will appear on the Drives & Controls ShowWeb site. The cluster of shows including Drives & Controls will take place at the Birmingham NEC from 5-7 April, 2022. The other events include: Smart Industry Expo; Air-Tech, Fluid Power & Systems; and Plant & Asset Management. Also taking place at the NEC at the same time will be the Manufacturing Technologies Association’s Mach manufacturing event and a topical new show, also organised by the MTA, called the Engineering Supply Chian Show. For more information about what it being planned for the return of the Drives & Controls Show, see the article on page 58. www.drives-expo.com Talking Industry goes live for Drives Show