Preparing for the Future: How UKIVA is Shaping the Next Generation of Industrial Vision Experts

There is a clear need to address skills gaps for the growth and development of manufacturing in the UK. This is especially relevant to the vision sector, with UKIVA (the UK Industrial Vision Association) recognising the importance of inspiring and educating the next generation of industrial vision professionals.

We’ll examine the steps being taken by the independent industrial vision organisation here. Discover the range of initiatives that UKIVA has implemented to help maintain the UK’s competitive edge in the global market.

Recognising the industrial vision skills gap

A report by The Manufacturer and Barclay’s Corporate Banking reflects the vision sector challenge, with 75% of manufacturers saying that skills shortages are their biggest barrier to growth. Simon Edwards, Director of Governance and External Engagement at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, attributes the shortage to a lack of engineering and technical skills. As vision technologies become increasingly more advanced, this issue is expected to escalate.

A recent report commissioned by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with BAE Systems and produced by the Learning and Work Institute, revealed that:

• 55% of manufacturers have struggled to recruit workers with advanced manufacturing skills
• 41% of manufacturers have not taken any action to attract young talent into the sector
• 83% of young people identified barriers preventing them from entering manufacturing

As mentioned, one of the biggest challenges is keeping pace with the rapid development and integration of advanced technologies. Brexit and the pandemic have also had significant impacts, limiting the availability of skilled workers. These factors have hindered growth and innovation, reducing productivity and causing the UK to lag behind more advanced manufacturing nations.

UKIVA’s Commitments

As part of the Automate UK group of associations, UKIVA is committed to driving progress and promoting the use of image-processing technology. Working in close collaboration with BARA (British Automation and Robot Association), they lobby on key industry issues, while also providing support to reduce the skills shortage and promote career progression through Automate BEST. Providing an industry voice,  UKIVA strives to help UK manufacturers gain a competitive edge through seminars, conferences and access to technical information.

UKIVA’s initiatives to bridge the skills gap extend to organising  STEM workshops for school students and forging partnerships with UK universities. As an example, Imaging & Machine Vision Europe recently reported UKIVA’s use of Automate BEST resources, encouraging year 10 students to explore vision technology career options. There have also been calls for the development of a formal vision apprenticeship programme as an alternative to the computer vision courses offered by UK universities.

UKIVA’s initiatives are having a clear impact, supporting over 450 professionals through training and certification programs and thereby helping to close the skills gap in the industrial vision sector. However, more support will be required if the UK is to maintain its leadership in industrial vision technology, supporting key sectors such as manufacturing and healthcare. Greater investment is anticipated in developing vocational programmes and scholarships aimed at developing talent across machine vision and related fields.

"The industrial vision sector is at a pivotal moment. Addressing the skills gap is not just about solving immediate challenges, but about ensuring long-term sustainability and innovation in UK manufacturing. By nurturing talent, fostering collaboration, and driving awareness, we can empower the next generation of vision professionals to keep the UK at the forefront of global advancements," UKIVA Chairman Allan Anderson commented.

Seeing the possibilities with UKIVA

Growing interest and bright prospects were reflected in the success of the 2024 Machine Vision Conference and Exhibition. Providing opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing, this major event featured seminars covering everything from vision in robotics to camera technology. Now rebranded as Vision UK, this event promises to be even bigger and better in 2025. It will provide opportunities to meet key decision-makers and influencers, learn from machine vision experts, and establish valuable new industry contacts.

In the meantime, we encourage businesses and educational institutions to explore the potential for collaboration with UKIVA through the Automate UK website or by contacting the association directly. Because together we’ll be more powerful than ever.