NEWS


Manufacturing & engineering finalists announced ahead of Worldskills Ireland 2023


Ahead of Worldskills Ireland 2023, 160 students and apprentices from across Ireland have been named as competition finalists, who will compete on the national stage during the three-day event in September – with 30+ partricipants competing in manufacturing and engineering-based competitions. Taking place at the RDS, Dublin from September


20-22, Worldskills Ireland 2023 is designed to promote skills, apprenticeship careers and opportunities for young people, and is set to welcome over 22,000 people including students, parents and teachers. A unique partnership between Government, education and industry, 2023 marks the third year of Ireland’s premier national skills event. Showcasing an array of industries including


construction, creative arts, hospitality and tourism, ICT, automotive, and manufacturing and engineering, the finalists will go head-to-head in their respective categories for a chance to win the prestigious Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) Silver Medal alongside an opportunity to represent Ireland at Worldskills Lyon in France next year. Michael Fitzgerald, technical training and


development manager at ESB Networks, said: “We


are proud to be a sponsor of Worldskills Ireland, an exceptional three-day event that showcases the boundless career routes and opportunities available in the skills trades and technologies.” Ray English, Worldskills Ireland chair, congratulated all of the young people from across the country that are set to compete at the National Finals during Worldskills Ireland in September. “We believe that by promoting apprenticeships and skills-based careers, we can create a brighter future for our young people whilst simultaneously progressing and evolving Ireland’s wider business economy,” Mr English said. “We are dedicated to be empowering and


inspiring the next generation of skills professionals in Ireland and we’re excited to work alongside our partners to continue to elevate the perception of skills and apprenticeships throughout various sectors and industries.” Ray further adds: “This year it has been announced that Higher Options, the annual education expo for second level students run by The Irish Times in partnership with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, is joining forces with Worldskills Ireland 2023 to create a mega careers event for young people.


Altus Group leads the way in innovative selective soldering equipment


Altus Group is putting a spotlight on innovative selective soldering systems from INERTEC to enable electronics manufacturers to efficiently and profitably assemble through-hole (THT) components. Automated assembly of THT components is a key method of manufacturing electronic devices to place and solder components onto PCBs. However, many companies face challenges in securing skilled labour and efficiently assemble THT parts to fulfil requirements for fluctuating production outputs. Selective soldering is an option that is helping many manufacturers to


overcome these obstacles and balance flexibility, throughput, and profitability. Joe Booth, Altus chief executive, said: “With the difficulties of conventional automation and the mix of THT parts that manufacturers face today, we believe selective soldering is an ideal technology to automate production while still allowing the flexibility that smaller batch sizes require. “The range of systems from preeminent supplier, INERTEC Soldering Solutions provide a modular, scalable approach to upgrading soldering processes from manual methods. In particular the INERTEC Cube 460 has garnered much attention from our customers as an optimal selective soldering solution for the needs of today’s electronics manufacturers.” Selective soldering delivers 4-6 times the throughput of manual soldering of THT parts over a given period with consistent quality and results. INERTEC Cube 460 is designed for small to medium production batches of


THT assemblies and is effective for processing double-sided PCBs with clearance around through-hole components.


6 July/August 2023 Irish Manufacturing


“By combining efforts and running the events


concurrently, school leavers will gain from seeing Ireland’s most comprehensive showcase of career paths that are currently available. From skills and apprenticeships at Worldskills Ireland, to representation from universities, colleges, and further education providers at Higher Options, for young people this mega career week in September 2023 will prove to be an invaluable resource.” For further information on Worldskills Ireland


2023, visit www.worldskillsireland.ie. The Finals Day is set to take place at Worldskills Ireland 2023 on Friday 22nd


September and is a day


not to be missed. Register to visit for free now at: www.worldskillsireland.ie.


XPO Logistics launches its Neurodiversity programme to ensure greater inclusivity


XPO, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable transport and logistics solutions in Europe, has further enhanced its Neurodiversity Programme this month to help educate and train colleagues in the UK and Ireland about neurodiversity to help ensure a more inclusive and supportive working environment for all. XPO has partnered with The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity


Charity for the ‘Neurodiversity Umbrella Project’– a sizeable visual awareness campaign comprising a comprehensive neurodiversity awareness training suite commissioned by XPO Logistics. Lynn Brown, vice president, human resources, UK and Ireland, at XPO Logistics, said: “We recognise the benefits of diversity across every element of our organisation. This richness creates a company where we make better decisions, individuals can perform optimally and realise their full potential, and our customers are served even more effectively. It is incredibly simple – what is good for our people is good for our business.” The company´s commitment to being an employer that goes the


extra mile for its colleagues has prompted it to create a ‘roadmap’ to neurodiverse inclusivity within the business in the UK and Ireland.


This roadmap will educate


and train colleagues on neurodiversity, create neurodiversity champions across the business who will advocate for employees and help neurodiverse employees thrive at XPO.


www.irish-manufacturing.com


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