A group of eager engineering students from Bedford College recently got a glimpse into the exciting world of industrial automation during a day trip to Rockwell Automation's HQ in Milton Keynes.
It was different from a typical college day as students were able to have hands-on experience of technology as well as hear from a wide range of experienced experts who work in the control and automation industry with experts from Routeco, Doosan and Rockwell Automation.
Chris Haynes, UK Sales Director at Routeco started the day with an introduction to Routeco and our role in the industry.
The first hands-on experience was hosted by Rockwell Automation’s Alex Choi and the student engineers had a micro controller masterclass to demonstrate how machine builders can use them to develop smarter machines and boost operational efficiency.
Rockwell Automation’s Technology Consultant Lynn Higgins then demonstrated how to set up HMIs, FactoryTalk and Optix.
Cyber security is a hot topic and Routeco’s Chris Coe delivered a fascinating overview of how it affects engineering and steps available to take to keep machines and factories safe.
Doosan's David Hume showcased the potential of mechatronics with robots, highlighting the endless possibilities in this field.
The day concluded with a careers talk from Clare Lundberg, VP talent and engagement at Western Europe Sonepar and Phil Hadfield UK Managing Director at Rockwell Automation to discuss the vast range of opportunities available to anyone interested in pursuing a career in engineering.
The day was supported by Charlotte Taylor, account manager at Routeco, and John Kirby, channel manager at Rockwell Automation who put on a fantastic day for students to get a better understanding of what working in electrical engineering and what opportunities are available.
If you're interested in a career in engineering, check out our careers site to the see the opportunities available.