Around the Industry

Bürkert is addressing the problems of skills shortages, sustainability and environmental and regulatory compliance in process markets, by introducing a second series of training courses dealing with the critical subject of Hygienic Processing. In common with Bürkert’s highly successful Steam Training courses - more of which are to be run shortly - the Hygienic Processing courses are free of charge.

Multiple Queen's award-winning power engineering specialists, EA Technology, has launched a unique training facility dedicated to meeting a potentially serious power skills shortage. With the government regulator Ofgem and the Energy and Utility Sector Skills Council warning of skills shortages in key areas of the power industry, EA believes its Power Skills Centre (PSC) will be a vital resource in providing training that can help the sector's workforce meet the technological, environmental and commercial challenges it faces.

Engineering and manufacturing employers attending an industry roundtable questioned funding cuts to Level 3 Apprenticeships and suggested that Government provide apprenticeship sponsorship to assist in getting young people into work, as well as supporting efforts to promote Apprenticeships to secondary school students.

Ann Watson, managing director of specialist awarding organisation, EAL (EMTA Awards Limited), responds to research that shows nine out of 10 employers value the raw talent of school leavers. “Many business leaders and captains of industry we see today started life as young apprentices” Watson comments. “So I am not in the least bit surprised that recent research (1) has shown employers attitudes towards young people are positive, with many holding them in high regard.”

Spectris plc, the productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls company, announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire the Omega Engineering business. Omega is a leading supplier of process measurement and control instrumentation across a broad range of categories, including automation, wireless, test and measurement, process control, power monitoring, environmental and lab equipment. Founded in 1962, Omega has grown steadily and is now an established global leader in the technical marketplace. The company offers over 100,000 state-of-the-art solutions for measurement of temperature, pressure, flow, level, strain, humidity, pH and conductivity, as well as a comprehensive line of data acquisition, electric heating and custom engineered products.

UK-based small cell technology developer and manufacturer, ip.access, today confirmed that its Oyster 3G femto technology is powering more than 500,000 Access Points deployed live in homes, offices and mobile network hotspots worldwide.

Exlar Corporation recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to four distinguished local area high school graduates planning to pursue engineering degrees. The recipients include: Aaron Bartnik of Eden Prairie who will be attending the University of Minnesota; Margaret McGonigle of Excelsior who will be attending the University of Notre Dame; Kristian Potter of Chaska who will be attending the University of Minnesota; and Austin Wilder of Chanhassen who will be attending Georgia Institute of Technology

Silent Knight by Honeywell has expanded its U.S. tour of FREE fire alarm technology and code seminars following numerous requests from engineers, AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) and facility managers seeking accredited education on code requirements and fire alarm technology. The half-day seminars will qualify attendees for 4.5 CPDs (Continuing Professional Development) units.

The STEMMER IMAGING website, www.stemmer-imaging.co.uk is now live with a fresh, new look and more options than ever before. The new design is a result of listening to the feedback from customers on how the company’s internet presence could be improved. Technical innovations ensure that the site is compatible with all of the latest browsers and mobile devices.

Murex Welding Products has announced dates for its 2012 City & Guilds Accredited Gas Equipment Inspectors training courses. Certification and Recertification Courses are designed for safety officers, maintenance staff, supervisors, technical college and school staff as well as anyone else responsible for the safety aspects of oxy-fuel gas systems.