July 30, 2024 – London, UK: Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has launched its Schneider Electric Training programme in the UK and Ireland (UK&I). This initiative aims to address the critical skills gap in engineering and enhance expertise in the complexities of digital transformation.
Schneider Electric’s vision for the UK&I is to develop a best-in-class training approach, integrating specialist academies, courses, and digital campuses into a unified offering—Schneider Electric Training. This extensive programme covers a range of topics from artificial intelligence and machinery automation to advancements in power management and safety standards.
The programme is designed to offer customers, partners, and engineers a single point of access to a variety of training options and resources. It includes Schneider Electric solutions, industry-focused courses, and professional accreditations, delivered through specialist academies and a digital campus offering on-demand courses for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) via the mySchneider portal.
Currently, two academies are operational, with three more set to launch by the end of the year. The Safety Academy in Telford provides a range of training courses focused on the safe operation of electrical equipment and site safety, including Competent Person certification and City & Guilds assured Authorised Person training. The Automation Academy in Coventry offers a comprehensive curriculum on Schneider Electric’s automation portfolio, from basic product understanding to advanced programming of technologies such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Variable Speed Drives (VSD), Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), Motion Control, and Robotics.
David Pownall, VP of Services at Schneider Electric UK and Ireland, highlighted the importance of this training initiative: “Organisations are increasingly reliant on their electrical infrastructure to support operations, digital transformation, automation, and manufacturing. Electrical engineers and their expertise are crucial for the installation, safety, and maintenance of this infrastructure.”
Pownall further emphasized the urgency of building skills to embrace new technologies, modernize operations, improve performance, reduce downtime, and comply with evolving safety regulations. He noted that training is not only essential for career enhancement but also for creating a positive employee experience, which is key to attracting and retaining talent in the face of a significant skills gap crisis.
“Smarter engineers, equipped with the skills needed today and a clear development path for the future, make for smarter businesses,” Pownall concluded.
Schneider Electric’s comprehensive training programme represents a significant step towards addressing the engineering skills gap and supporting the digital transformation of businesses in the UK and Ireland.