• • • EDITOR’S COMMENT • • • WELCOME


To ensure that you continue to receive your free personal copy of this magazine, please ll in the reader registration card, or register online at www.connectingindustry.com


Electrical Engineering is sent free of charge to individuals who meet the publisher’s strict terms of control.


Annual subscription rates are: UK - £85.00


Overseas - £136.00 ISSN 1472-1287 ConnectingIndustry. London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY. Tel: 01622 687031 Fax: 01622 757646 www.datateam.co.uk


© 2022 Datateam Business Media Ltd London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY


W


elcome to the February issue of Electrical Engineering magazine.


The UK government, under the leadership still of Boris Johnson as Electrical Engineering went to press, this month finally published its much-anticipated Levelling Up white paper.


For the technology sector, a key takeaway is the commitment from the government to tackle the UK’s growing digital skills shortage.


The government promised in the white paper that by 2030, the number of people successfully completing high-quality skills training will have increased in every region of the UK. In England, that would mean 200,000 more people successfully completing high-quality skills training annually. However, a warning from the white paper, can be found on page 56 of the 300-page tome. In the same breath as the government’s talking about digital skills, it’s also highlighted how automation is a key driver of productivity growth – yes, but at what cost?


Automation technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming business models, markets and lifestyles in an unprecedented manner, but this must not come at the detriment to human learning.


While automation has its place in some industries, this great country needs to be investing in future generations of engineers. The UK must lead the way in digital skills, to be a beacon around the world. That’s what Levelling Up should mean in our industry. We hope this issue is informative. If you’d like to comment on any of the articles featured, or if you’d like to contribute to a future issue, please do get in touch by sending an email to me, on the email address below.


The paper used in this magazine is obtained from manufacturers who operate within internationally recognised standards. The paper is made from Elementary Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp, which is sourced from sustainable, properly managed forestation.


The statements and opinions expressed in connectingindustry/Instrumentation magazine are not those of the editor or Datateam Business Media Ltd unless described as such.


Simon King Managing Editor


Managing Editor Simon King


Tel: 07973 386724 simonkingmedia@live.co.uk


Group Sales Manager Harriet Campbell Tel: 01622 699 184


HCampbell@datateam.co.uk 6 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • FEBRUARY 2022


Media Director Louise Tiller


Tel: 01622 699 104 ltiller@datateam.co.uk


Sales Executive Milly Humphries Tel: 01622 699 117


mhumphries@datateam.co.uk


electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44