Fanuc UK Continues Commitment to Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers with WorldSkills UK Partnership

For the fifth consecutive year, leading industrial automation specialist Fanuc UK is proud to support WorldSkills UK in the search for the UK’s top young robotics talent.

Fanuc UK is once again partnering with WorldSkills UK for the Industrial Robotics competition, offering young engineers a unique opportunity to develop essential skills, gain hands-on experience in robotics programming, and potentially earn a place representing Squad UK at the WorldSkills International Finals in Tokyo.

The competition is open to teams of two young individuals who are within one year of completing a relevant Level 3 apprenticeship or hold qualifications in an engineering-based subject (minimum Level 3 or equivalent). The event is designed to accommodate participants with varying levels of experience, from beginners with little to no knowledge of robotics to those with a background in the field. This inclusivity ensures that young engineers at all skill levels have the opportunity to get involved and showcase their potential.

Competition Timeline and Stages

The competition begins with an online stage, which will take place from 22-25 April. Participants will tackle a virtual task using Fanuc’s Robot Simulation software, designed to challenge their problem-solving abilities and understanding of robotics. The most successful competitors will then progress to the live Qualifiers Round, which will be held at the Smart Factory Expo in Birmingham on 4-5 June at the NEC.

Fanuc’s team of robotics experts will provide in-depth training to those who qualify for the National Finals, which will take place during Fanuc UK’s annual Open House event in Coventry from 11-13 November. The winners of the UK competition will then have the chance to represent Squad UK at the WorldSkills International Finals in Tokyo.

Inspiring Future Careers in Engineering

The competition provides participants with much more than just the chance to compete; it’s an opportunity to gain valuable experience in robot programming, as well as develop soft skills like teamwork, timekeeping, and problem-solving—all highly sought after by employers in the engineering industry.

The current UK champions, Aled Gore and Morgan Leyson, both aged 21 and studying mechanical engineering at Bridgend College, shared their thoughts on the competition’s impact. Aled commented, “Fanuc is the number one company in the automation industry. Competing with their support enabled me to get a head start in learning about robotics and the experience has boosted my CV.” Morgan added, “I entered in the hope that the contest would help me to grow as a person, and hopefully provide me with opportunities to get into programming in the future.”

Supporting the Next Generation of Engineers

For Fanuc UK, the WorldSkills UK competition has become an annual tradition and is a vital part of the company’s efforts to inspire the next generation of engineers while addressing the skills gap in the industry. Paul Coombes, competition organiser and Head of Technical for Fanuc UK, expressed his enthusiasm for the event: “Year-on-year, we have seen the quality of participants improve, and I am sure that 2025 will be no different. The competition offers so many benefits, not just the chance to learn from industry experts how to programme real robots, but also the chance to gain invaluable soft skills that will set participants apart when applying for jobs and apprenticeships.”

Paul encourages anyone with an interest in engineering to get involved, saying: “There’s nothing to lose by giving it a try. Whether you’re looking to boost your CV, build your skills, or pursue a future career in robotics, this competition offers something for everyone.”