Author: European Springs Web Team

Ensuring that the next generation of engineers and scientist are given all the tools they need to succeed in their studies is of paramount importance to not only the industry, but also the UK as a whole. Over the last few months, the UK has seen some great success stories from the next generation of engineers in both national and international competitions.

Here, we take a look at some of the recent achievements of students around the UK, whilst focusing on the successes of students from Northern Ireland.

Students Together

UK Students Come Runner Up In International Competition

Three students from a school in Loughborough competed on the international stage against other young scientific and engineering minds. Grace Lord, Brendan Miralles and Aalia Sellar’s project came an impressive 2nd place in the international competition. Over 2020 international students from 51 countries took part in the competition.

After winning the prestigious GSK UK Young Engineers of the Year title at The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition, the trio headed to China to take on other students from around the globe. Their project, entitled ‘Music Splash’, came runner up in the International CASTIC (China Adolescents Science & Technology Innovation Contest) category. Whilst on the trip, the three budding scientists received interest from a Chinese business to develop their app.

The app uses machine learning to analyse music performance and provides feedback to help the user to improve and work towards grading. The students say “it guides you to instant perfection and is like a music teacher in an app.”

Northern Ireland Student Wins GSK UK Young Scientist of the Year 2019

A student from St Mary’s College in Derry/London Derry took home the GSK UK Young Scientist of the Year 2019 at The Big Bang UK Young Scientist & Engineers Competition. Maeve Stillman’s project, which was entitled, “Investigating the Effect of Activated Charcoal on the Absorptions of Medications” saw off competition from other budding scientists and engineers around the UK and focused on how activated charcoal supplements affect the absorption of everyday or common medicines.

Speaking of her award win, Maeve Stillman told The Big Bang Competition UK: “It feels so surreal to have won! This is my third year at The Big Bang Fair and every year it’s so exciting, I would definitely recommend other young people getting involved. I’m going to use the prize money and experiences that I’ve won to help further my future in STEM.”

The team here at European Springs Ireland are extremely pleased to see our up-and-coming scientists and engineers receiving the recognition they deserve.

A-Level Top Grades Rise In Northern Ireland

Following the last month’s A-Level results day, there has been a rise in the proportion of top grades awarded to pupils in Northern Ireland, with just over 30% of students awarded A* or A grades.

There are now just under 40% of all students taking at least one STEM subject as part of their A-Levels, with a steady increase in the uptake in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects continuing. Maths once again remained the most popular A-Level subject among Northern Irish students, with more than one in 10 entries.

It’s extremely encouraging to see the next generation of students coming through college with such promising results. As experienced spring manufacturers, the team here at European Springs Ireland take great pride in ensuring we continually keep our finger on the pulse of all the latest engineering related news. Be sure to regularly check in on our blog to keep up-to-date with the latest news from around the industry.

The manufacturing industry is full of fast-paced work with plenty of progression opportunities; if you know how to work hard and focus. In this article, we are going to discuss the variety of jobs you could be earning within our sector, along with some useful tips about the best routes to achieve the career of your dreams.

Careers in the Manufacturing Sector

There are plenty of opportunities in manufacturing, though if you are looking to begin a life-long career in manufacturing, it might be important for you to work towards a job that isn’t in any danger of becoming replaced by a machine. This means that if you’re prepared to work hard, you should aim for high-skilled jobs – these are also the jobs which are going to earn you the most money, so they are a worthy goal for your time.
If you know someone who is young, still in education and interested in manufacturing, then you should encourage them to research a variety of jobs in the industry – different career paths can have vastly different educational requirements. In this blog, we will cover some roles and the kinds of qualifications needed to secure the role – this should give you some idea of how long it will take you to gather the skills before you can successfully achieve your dream job.

Engineers At Work

Before we get into the logistics of achieving your dream job in manufacturing, we need to consider the variety of roles that you can choose from:

Assembly

The assembly workers in manufacturing build products from finished pieces. This may include working with your hands, tools and machines – often with training once you have the role. You will generally be expected to have high school certificates for most roles in this group.

Examples

  • Assembler
  • Expediter
  • Material Handler
  • Tool and Die Maker
  • Warehouse Worker

Brazers and Welders

These roles require some precise technical education. Their job is generally to cut and/or join any metallic parts used in the product. You can attain these skills through high school, vocational schools, community colleges or a mix. You may also be able to find local training courses suited to your needs.

A welder’s work is all in the detail; you need to be careful when using highly dangerous equipment, and the expensive materials you’ll be using to make the product means you’ll need to keep mistakes to a minimum. You’ll need to learn to use the equipment, as well as reading blueprints and diagrams if you want to secure one of these positions for yourself.

Examples

  • Brazer
  • Welder
  • Solderer
  • Cutter

Engineers Welding

Machinists and Operators

We previously mentioned tool and die makers in the Assembly group, but sometimes, they may fall under the category of machinists and operators. This is one example of how some of these roles may cross some of the boundaries we use to generalise these roles for description.

A machinist or operator will be required to set up, maintain, and operate integral machinery. To attain one of the following positions, you will probably need on-site training or an apprenticeship, vocational school, or technical college qualification. Some roles may require further qualifications, so research the potential thoroughly.

Examples

  • Design Engineer
  • Field Service Technician
  • Aircraft Mechanic
  • Safety Technician
  • Waste Treatment Plant Operator

Spring Manufacturing

Production Manager

Working in management is where you are most likely to find the highest wages, but you will also have to stay in education for much longer if you want to improve your chances of getting into a managerial position. Most managers in manufacturing have at least a bachelor’s degree in business or industrial engineering.

Production managers are expected to ensure that general operations run smoothly and to find areas where processors could be managed with greater efficiency. They ensure that production stays on schedule as well as overseeing the hiring process for other workers.

Examples

  • Assembly Supervisor
  • Master Scheduler
  • General Manager
  • Product Marketing Analyst
  • Warehouse Manager

As spring suppliers, we are invested in the future of the manufacturing industry. We think that it’s never too late to start a bountiful career in manufacturing if you have the resolve to get there, so start now by enrolling in a local skills course or by attaining work experience with your local manufacturer.

Whatever the results are, emotions are sure to be running high. Whether you’re reading this for yourself, your friend, a sibling or a child, we’re here to help you understand why choosing a STEM subject to take to college could change lives for the better. In this article, we take a look at what you should expect during results day and what you should be thinking about next.

Students

Keeping Calm on GCSE Results Day

For all young adults and teenagers out there about to receive their GCSEs, we know that keeping calm is the last thing on your mind. You’re busy thinking about all the hard work you have put into your education over the past few years, and, most importantly, whether it has been enough.

We recognise the sacrifices you’ve made, giving up your free time, again and again, to thoroughly complete your homework, working hard to make sure you really understand the concepts that you’ll need to take with you into the exam, we understand that these aren’t just certificates and awards to you.

However, once you have taken your exams, there is little that can be done to change the outcome. What is important for you now is to keep researching what routes are open to you based on your passions and skills.

The chances are that you can guess what grades you should be expecting based on your performance in mock papers, but if you’re even slightly worried, it can help to explore your options. It’s important to remember that you aren’t going to be boxed in by your results; there are multiple routes to achieving the career of your dreams, and not everyone needs to go to university.

At GCSE, however, you might still be trying to figure what ‘the career of your dreams’ really means to you. If there are lots of subjects that you enjoy, for example, trying to reduce those subjects to three or four that you’ll take with you to A-Levels can feel like an impossible task. Whether you should prioritise your grades in a subject over your enjoyment of it isn’t a question that we can answer for you, but we can tell you about all the reasons why you should consider pursuing a STEM career.

Students Together

What is STEM?

The acronym ‘STEM’ stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. These academic disciplines are grouped because they share similar ways of working and learning, often heavily relying on mathematical formulae and sharing some theories and knowledge between the subjects within them.

The UK is currently suffering from a shortage of skilled workers in STEM careers; this means that you could be looking at earning a lot of money if you were to pursue an education in STEM. We rely on STEM learners to construct buildings, solve diseases and innovate technology; those working in STEM elevate humanity through their creations and hard work.

If you want to pursue STEM, you need to have an aptitude or a passion for basic maths and science, preferably both. If you’re pursuing STEM because you want to earn a high wage, then (like any career) you will have to learn to achieve focus and to work hard.

Students Collaborating

My Future with STEM

When you study maths and science, there are plenty of opportunities available to you. Your future with STEM doesn’t necessarily require you to have high grades, though your grades may determine which area of STEM you start with.

If you are a high-achieving student, then you are unlikely to have jobs and apprenticeships on your mind at first. Many high-achieving students in the UK go to university, and while this is the right decision for many students looking to improve their knowledge and connections in their field, you may be better served by taking an apprenticeship or work experience.

Unlike a degree, an apprenticeship will focus on perfecting those practical skills that working environments want to see on your future CV. Similarly, you can get paid during an apprenticeship, which makes it a more financially attractive prospect than university.

If you have average grades and good determination, then you may be considering the pros and cons of pursuing college and university versus starting your career. You may find academic learning more difficult than your peers, so a hands-on apprenticeship might be better for your progression. If you aren’t sure yet, the best course of action for you now is to receive your results, enrol in a college with your preferred STEM subjects and give it your best shot. How you feel during the end of your course should give you the information you need to know whether you’ll want to pursue academic STEM or start your work experience.

If your grades are low, but you have a strong work ethic, then you can work hard to elevate your grades during college or start considering your aptitudes for hands-on learning in work experience and apprenticeship courses. Consider taking extra-curricular activities and courses to bolster your skills set for future employers if you’re struggling with the academic rigour of school-learning.

European Springs Apprentices

Remember that not all pupils are well-represented by the GCSE examination system, your grades, successes or failures won’t define you as a person. What you need to do now is think carefully about the options available to you and where you would like to be in two-to-five years. We’ve had plenty of apprentices pass through our doors, trying to gain a solid understanding of what is expected from spring manufacturers in the UK.

The decline of our planet’s overall health and sustainability is a growing problem, and many businesses ask themselves whether they are doing enough for the environment. We think that there is always more that businesses could be doing to reduce their carbon footprint, so instead of trying to find a finish line where you stop thinking about eco-friendliness, we ask that businesses and corporations strive for constant improvement.

In this article, we are tackling the difficult question of how the manufacturing industry in 2019 has been reducing its carbon footprint to become more environmentally friendly. Perhaps you can apply some of these smart ideas to your business?

Improve Your Energy Efficiency

This is, of course, a key aim for any manufacturing business, as reducing energy costs by any means possible leads to a higher profit, but it isn’t always clear how to manage this. To begin with, you need to able to obtain a thorough understanding of your business’ current energy consumption and where that energy is source.

By carrying out an energy audit, you can identify the areas where your business could save money (and the planet’s resources). It may turn out that replacing your overhead lighting could make a bigger difference than you were originally expecting.

Flip the Green Switch

The majority of power plants worldwide still rely on fossil fuels, but where possible businesses should support clean fuels. Britain is working hard to produce more of its energy through solar, wind and geothermal, but we need businesses to support these goals if we’re going to make a difference.

Green energy is more than just sustainable; it’s sensible. Stay ahead of the competition by switching to the technology of the future now.

Vector concept of energy saving. Flat style. Turning off a light switch on a green background

Careful Planning

With some careful management, businesses can make their time and resources far more efficient. This may involve upgrading your current management system to a program which embraces the internet of things style of approach, whereby huge swathes of your business are quickly monitored and analysed using improved data management technology.

If you start a long-term plan for your change to greener energy, you will be more likely to see staff acceptance of your changes, as well as efficient and worthwhile savings in your company.

Conceptual 3D render image with depth of field blur effect. Compass needle pointing the green word strategy over natural paper background.

Using Recycled Materials

Creating a bigger market for recycled materials will help the recycling industry to grow, so it is important to source and purchase recycled materials where possible. On a similar note, you should also aim to educate your employees on the importance of recycling by carrying out training and sticking to green policies. Ensure that as little of your waste goes to landfill as possible by sourcing companies or charities that will recycle your difficult materials when the government cannot. You may want to start your research by looking into Terracycle; a company which aspires to make the most of difficult plastics and very useful for any company which needs to dispose of a lot of plastic packaging.

Regular Maintenance

This should be standard practice anyway, but keeping your equipment well maintained can add a lot to your business. For example, if you take good care of your machinery, then you may be able to sell it on so it can be re-used once you are ready to upgrade. Good maintenance will also help to prevent the sudden breakdown of your equipment, which can slow progress and output as well as putting tension on the remaining working machinery.

Did you know that when air conditioning units get dusty, they soak up more power? You may have machinery or equipment that functions similarly, draining more power to try to overcome an obstacle and therefore becoming less efficient. This can be avoided or reduced by keeping your company clean to stay green.

Eco-friendly Building Designs

If you’re thinking of moving your business, you should think about moving to an eco-friendly location. Think of the energy costs you could cut back on by moving your staff to a workshop that receives a lot of natural light and uses a sophisticated and efficient heating system.

Education

One of the greatest steps towards an eco-friendly business is giving your staff and employees education in eco-friendliness. Once they know what to look out for and what needs to change, your staff may be able to suggest thoughtful, targeted improvements for your business. It could be little things like arranging a staff carpool or arranging for company recycling boxes, or it could be something bigger and better. Either way, getting your staff working towards a common goal will help with team bonding and could even boost morale.

Discussing recycling efforts

You should be focusing your business towards a greener future today. We’ve covered some brief examples showcasing how you might improve your output by making it greener, with a lot of emphasis on careful planning and staff involvement across the board. As forward thinking spring manufacturers, we have had a lot of success implementing green initiatives at our premises across the UK, and we’ll be wishing you the best of luck in saving the world with us by going green.

In this article, we consider whether enough is being done to improve diversity in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. We will discuss where we stand in comparison to other countries and sectors, the benefits of improving, and strategies for individual businesses to improve their local working diversity.

Engineers Working

What Does Diversity in Manufacturing Mean?

In the 21st century, a diverse workforce means supporting male, female, trans and fluid genders of different ages and races. To achieve great diversity within your business, you need to start by first becoming aware and fully understanding how to best appeal to people of different gender, age and race. For example, this may involve ensuring that younger generations can attain the skills they will need to pursue careers that rely on good education in science, maths or English.

How Do I Attain Diversity in My Business?

Encouraging diversity in your business requires you to take a step back and consider your current setting; are you employing a near-equal number of men and women, would a member from the LGBTQ+ community feel comfortable working in your environment, have you advertised your business in such a way that encourages minorities to apply for positions with you?

Remember to think of how your business looks from the outside too; if you are finding yourself using the excuse that your company’s diversity is poor because you don’t receive many applications from minorities, then it may be that they don’t perceive your company as a place that would make them feel welcome.

If your company only employs men, then that is all that your potential applicants will see, so unless you find ways to tell them that they will be accepted, they may assume that your company is selectively hiring men.

You need to encourage women and minorities in your job adverts and marketing efforts if you want to make them feel welcome, especially if they are going to be the first minority in your business.

Springs

How Do I Retain Diversity Once I’ve Hired It?

Once you’ve solved your application problem – if you had one – your next step is ensuring that they stay with your business. This means committing to making them feel welcome for the long term. To accomplish this, they are going to need someone who will listen to their needs, but most importantly, someone who they feel comfortable talking to when something needs changing.

This may be something as small as offering a dairy-free alternative in the break room, or it could be a fundamental change to their working patterns. For example, some religious minorities may need to take specific holidays. It is important both the employee and employer, to maintain excellent communication to ensure that these obstacles are successfully navigated. On the side of a new minority employee, they should give you suitable notice of any important religious holidays or issues they might face in the future where possible.

As the employer, you should encourage them that they have someone they can take these concerns to – you or another high-ranking member of staff – before issues arise. If your employee has failed to communicate some difficulties to you, ask yourself why they have found it difficult. It could be that they aren’t comfortable or feel embarrassed about their difference.

You can solve this by changing their point of contact; if you have someone from a minority in a high ranking position then they can serve as a role model for new hires – this could improve their motivation and productivity too.

Making continuous small changes can also make a big difference. Take the initiative and install an accessible or gender-neutral toilet. Offer vegetarian and vegan snacks, or engage the business in celebrations like Pride month.

What are the Benefits of Improving My Company’s Diversity?

In an article published by The Manufacturer in 2018, it was speculated that the UK has an annual shortfall of at least 20,000 engineers. Regarding solving this nationwide crisis, it is vital that we encourage a range of individuals to take up engineering, and one of the methods we should be taking to accomplish this is to improve our diversity. It’s thought that more than £11bn a year is lost in Engineering due to LGBTQ+ individuals feeling unable to be themselves at work, leading to a 30% reduction in productivity (InterEngineering 2016).

Aside from just minorities, manufacturing and engineering are still facing huge issues; simply encouraging more women to enrol in the sector would be a huge step forward. Of all engineering professionals in 2018, only 12% were women. To solve this issue, companies need to educate younger generations that they will be accepted in STEM subjects, degrees and careers. This may mean taking special care to encourage diversity in any apprenticeships or work experience that you are running.

It has been noted that businesses who gain traction in one area of diversity have an easier time improving other types of diversity too. This means that taking a step-by-step approach can be very effective and can also help with implementing attainable goals.

In an article titled, ‘The Business Benefits of Promoting Diversity and Inclusion’, it was found that businesses with a healthy gender balance are more likely to outperform their competitors, so consider the fact that perhaps you can’t afford to not be a diverse business in today’s market.

Spring Manufacturing Plant

We are dedicated to providing coverage on the skills gap in manufacturing and engineering, and this includes raising awareness about how diversity can positively impact your business. If you need high-quality spring manufacturers, speak to us for more information about our products and practices.

News travels fast, and with the speedy advancement of technology, there is always a lot to talk about in the manufacturing sector. In this article, we summarise some of the biggest news to come out of our industry for the first half of 2019.

 MANUFACTURING HISTORY AND BIG BEN – FEBRUARY

With the UK manufacturing industry changing on a daily basis as Britain is stuck in Brexit limbo, some of history’s most positive success stories can provide those who work in the sector with much-needed hope. In the manufacturing industry, national success stories such as the history of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry are important, but in the first quarter of 2019, we were presented with the loss of this great foundry.

The national treasure that is Big Ben was crafted in a historic foundry called the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 1570. The foundry has cast and forged several legendary products, but while those products remain in use, the building that shaped them is soon to be lost.

Purchased by an American developer, the original site of Big Ben’s manufacturing is to be transformed into a boutique hotel. The United Kingdom Historic Building Preservation Trust hit back with an offer to attempt to re-instate the foundry as a working site, claiming that the foundry was of national interest and enriched the cultural presence of Whitechapel.

Should the American developers win the site, 90% of the original bell business will be lost.

Big Ben

FORD CLOSING IN BRIDGEND – JUNE

The story surrounding Whitechapel Foundry is far from being new or isolated, unfortunately, as Bridgend in Wales looks to see the loss of 1,700 jobs in 2020. Car manufacturer, Ford, is closing down its engine plant there which will see considerable changes in the town’s production. Ford claims to be offering employees redeployment, but this will require staff to relocate.

BREXIT CONTRACTIONS – MAY

Brexit has haunted both quarters of 2019 so far as further postponement has seen manufacturing figures jump up for the short-term as a result of stockpiling, followed by deep falls as manufacturers run on their stockpiled goods. Of serious note, is that the UK industry has suffered from a contraction in May for the first time since July 2016, which was thought to have been spurred by the EU referendum.

The stockpiling means that manufacturers are finding it difficult to win new sales in recent months, and some believe that this could continue to worsen in the upcoming months. Duncan Brock, director at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, stated that:

“A slowdown in the global economy, and trade wars hotting up could tip the scales even further next month and increase the likelihood that the UK manufacturing sector will remain in contraction territory”.

This could mean that manufacturing sectors will need to brace themselves as best they can for the months ahead, as we continue to discover the latest Brexit ramifications.

Brexit Jigsaw

3D PRINTING – ONGOING

Innovation and improvements to the technology and automation used in manufacturing are not all bad and is, in fact, freeing up more jobs in skilled and highly paid areas like maintenance, programming and robot creation. 3D printing is one such improvement in our sector that is changing the way many company’s produce parts.

In low volume manufacturing, it is thought the 3D printing revolution will impact companies by improving their ability to produce short-run parts productions. This means that developers will be able to create, trial and launch new products with greater speed and efficiency.

This ability to test parts on an economic scale also means that we should see improvements to the quality of finished products in the long run too, which can be extremely beneficial for high volume manufacturers.

3D

GROWTH IN UK AND NORTHERN IRELAND – JUNE

Although our nation is currently suffering from short-term contractions, Northern Ireland is seeing a positive year-on-year increase of 2.7%. It is thought that this number is at least partially affected by Brexit, with many companies pushing for maximising output pre-Brexit. For example, the pharmaceuticals and chemicals sector spiked 11% in comparison to the same month in 2018, leading experts to believe that these spikes are only temporary and Brexit-based.

Overall, the start to the year has mostly been fuelled by Brexit, which will undoubtedly continue to affect manufacturing until a conclusion is reached, and even then, we could see some fluctuations for a while following. For more information on Brexit, and how manufacturing fared in 2018, we recommend visiting our article, European Springs’ Take on the Annual Manufacturing Report 2019. In the meantime, we are a spring manufacturers business in the UK that is dedicated to trying to provide stability and communication in turbulent times, so get in touch for more information regarding our products.

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