IAS UK apprentices' 'Braille Buddy' is Highly Commended at iMeche Apprentice Automation Challenge
The 'Mech Me Up Before You Go Go' team of apprentices from IAS UK won the judge's Highly Commended Award for their inventive braille teaching aid 'Braille Buddy' at the iMeche Apprentice Automation Challenge held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry in September.
It's the second year the IAS UK Academy has entered teams in the iMeche Apprentice Automation Challenge, which sets a design and manufacturing challenge for apprentices to create a prototype that automates an everyday device.
Teams submit a report including design specification, manufacturing instructions, user manual and a business case for the mass production and sale of the product. The prototypes are then judged at the Finals event.
The programme helps apprentices gain experience in:
This year the Academy entered three teams of six, first year apprentices, each supported by a second year and an experienced engineer.
Early Careers Manager Brendan Ledley said:
“For the IAS UK Academy supporting and developing our Early Careers community is at the heart of everything we do. This year, we once again entered the iMeche Apprentice Automation Challenge to put our skills, teamwork, and innovation to the test.
Our success this year reflects more than just silverware, it was about learning, growth, and unity. We re-energised our approach with a new team structure pairing first-year and second-year apprentices with Lite Leaders and an experienced engineer as SME, blending skills from both engineering and manufacturing backgrounds, as well as offering the opportunity for an aspiring Project Manager to steer each team, enabling real experience in support and organisation.
I would like to thank everyone who mentored, supported, and cheered on our teams—your encouragement helped shape a winning environment for learning and achievement.
We’re incredibly proud of our apprentices’ accomplishments and what they represent for the future of Thales."
