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National Robotarium Leads Project for UK's First Robotics Technician Apprenticeship

A new initiative aims to address the critical skills gap in robotics and automation across various UK industries.

Generic image of a modular robotic platform with intricate wiring and metallic components.
AI

Generic image of a modular robotic platform with intricate wiring and metallic components.

The National Robotarium is spearheading a new national initiative to develop the UK’s first dedicated apprenticeship standard for robotics technicians, aiming to create a skilled workforce for the growing robotics sector.

The project, funded by Innovate UK through the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology (BIST) Robotics Adoption programme, will define the essential skills for future robotics technicians. This six-month initiative, known as the Robotics Technician Apprenticeship Framework Study (RTA), involves collaboration between employers, educators, and robotics experts.
Despite increasing interest in automation, the UK faces a significant shortage of technicians skilled in installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing robotic systems. This skills gap is a major obstacle for accelerating automation adoption across sectors such as manufacturing, energy, logistics, healthcare, aerospace, and defence. Currently, training relies heavily on informal 'on-the-job' methods, which can disadvantage smaller businesses.
The National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University, alongside partners like UK RAS STEPS and Professor Ian Green (MBE recipient for services to apprenticeships and STEM education), will coordinate the development of a national apprenticeship standard. The goal is to establish a clear career pathway, particularly for 16- to 24-year-olds not currently in employment or education. The project will also develop 'NatBot', a modular robotic platform for practical training.
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"Robotics is becoming increasingly important across a wide range of sectors, but many organisations struggle to find people with the practical skills needed to keep robotic systems operating safely and effectively. By leading the development of a dedicated robotics technician apprenticeship standard, we’re helping create a clear pathway into exciting, high-value careers while supporting employers to make the most of robotics and automation technologies."

Blair Wilson · Outreach and Engagement Lead at The National Robotarium, and Project Lead
This apprenticeship framework complements The National Robotarium's wider efforts in supporting robotics adoption and workforce development. It is part of a broader UK Government initiative to accelerate the use of robotics and autonomous systems, supported by a £52m BIST robotics growth programme funding a network of adoption hubs.
The initiative builds on related projects such as COMPOSE (Curriculum on Manipulation Pipelines via Open Source Ecosystems) and COMPARE, aiming to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application in robotics.
Based on information from the official source: Heriot-Watt University (26/10/2026)

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