Competition Overview/Brief WorldSkills UK Mechatronics (Advanced) About the Competition This is a practical competition for a team of two competitors that will test your logic, design and fault finding skills in a challenging environment. This Advanced level is new for 2015 and will give competitors the opportunity to compete for a place in the National Final competition at The Skills Show 2015. To complete the tasks competitors are expected to apply their theoretical knowledge of fundamental principles, automation, pneumatic, electrical/electronic and PLC technologies. The skills that are tested in the practical competition include:

• designing, building and testing pneumatic, electro-pneumatic circuits and PLC programmes for sequential and non-sequential tasks

• mechanically assembling a given set of components to a specification

• electro-pneumatic circuit simulation

• adding new functionality and operations to a given application.

• General Impression and Function The Detail Follow these steps to enter the WorldSkills UK Mechatronics competition. Step one: Review the competition overview and guidance materials Step two: Register online from the 9 February to 20 March 2015 Step three: We'll send entrants an invitation to the live heats, which will take place between April and June 2015 Step four: Use the Competitor Preparation Resources to prepare for the competition Step five: The competitors who achieve the highest scores at the heat stage will be invited to compete at the UK Final to be held in November. Entry Requirements ADVANCED: competitors should be studying, enrolled on or have recently achieved a level 3 programme. Each organisation may enter a maximum of two teams per campus or location, and 4 teams overall. Competitors can be in education and training or working in industry Marking and Assessment NB: The top candidates achieving the highest marks in the heats will be invited to the UK final. There is no automatic entrance to the UK final for heat winners. WorldSkills UK will inform finalists following moderation of marks from the regional competitions. An indicative format of how marks will be awarded is as follows; Criterion ID Criterion Description Max Marks

A TASK 1: Pneumatic sequence 30

B TASK 2: Electro-pneumatic (Hard-wired system) 30

C TASK 3: PLC programming 40

Total Marks 100

If a competitor has a complaint on the day it is advised that this be discussed with the host, head judge or WorldSkills UK representative. If this is not possible the grievance procedure must be used, the procedure is found in the competitions rules, which is downloadable from www.worldskillsuk.org Contact Details Professor Mehmet Karamanoglu WSUK Competition Technical Lead e-mail: M.Karamanoglu@mdx.ac.uk Tel: 020 84116132

Semta e-mail: WSUKEng@semta.org.uk Web: http://www.semta.org.uk/ Tel: 0845 643 9001 Competition Rules To be eligible to enter a WorldSkills UK competition, competitors must meet the following criteria: • Competitors must be at least 16 years of age on 1st September 2014 to be eligible to compete during

the 2014/15 competition cycle. • Employed or an apprentice at the specified level of the competition or currently studying or have recently

completed their studies (i.e. within the last 12 months) in a relevant programme of study. • Educated and/or trained in a UK education, or training establishment, and hold or be working towards a

related UK qualification, or be eligible to hold a UK passport. • Past competitors may enter WorldSkills UK competitions in subsequent years provided they meet the

entry criteria as above. • Those who are ineligible to compete are:

• Gold medal winners cannot compete in the same competition and level in subsequent years. • Ex-Squad and ex-Team UK members forfeit their right to participate in WorldSkills UK

National Competitions. • Competitors may only enter one competition at one level in any given competition year. • Competitors should have the support of their college, university, training provider and/or employer to

participate in a WorldSkills UK competition. This support must extend to the competitor being free to attend all relevant competition events and includes any competition preparation.

• By entering into a WorldSkills UK competition, competitors and their representatives are declaring that they will abide by the WorldSkills UK and competition specific rules.

• Representatives and Competitors must ensure that all competition materials are read thoroughly and that they are confident with all aspects of the requirements of the competition to include the project brief and joining instructions. They should also be familiar with the procedures for being invited to heats and the UK finals at WorldSkills UK – The Skills Show at the NEC in November 2015.

• Representatives and Competitors are responsible for covering any travel expenses incurred in participating in WorldSkills UK competitions, unless they are informed otherwise.

• Special dispensation may be granted by the Competition Organiser for those that have declared a physical, sensory or learning difficulty prior to the competition. They will also endeavor to provide reasonable adjustments, where possible, for competitors who declare a physical, sensory or learning difficulty at any stage of the competition.

• Representatives and Competitors should understand the process for selecting competitors for international competitions. By signing the competition register, each Competitor confirms that they have read and understood the process. Please refer to ‘WorldSkills International competition rules for UK competitors’

• Representatives and Competitors should be aware that not all WorldSkills UK competitions lead to WorldSkills International competitions.

• By signing the competition register, each Competitor gives permission to WorldSkills UK and the Competition Organiser to use non-confidential information from the competition registration, relevant

photographs and video film for any publicity purposes in relation to vocational education, training and the competition.

During the competition

• Competitors who arrive late for the competition will not automatically receive additional time. However, this may be granted in exceptional circumstances by the Nominated Competitions Agent.

• Unless otherwise stated there must be no communication between fellow competitors, the audience, your representatives or competition staff during the competition itself.

• Competitors must start and finish work when instructed to do so by the judges or Nominated Competitions Agent.

• Competitors may be allowed a familiarisation period before the start of the competition. Additional information may be distributed/circulated in advance by the Nominated Competitions Agent. Competitors may ask questions during this defined period.

• Competitors wishing to leave the competition area while the competition is in progress must obtain the permission of the judges or Nominated Competitions Agent.

• Should a Competitor feel unwell at any stage of the competition, he or she should make a judge or Nominated Competitions Agent aware immediately.

• Competitors who need to repair their own tools or equipment during the competition will not be given additional time unless agreed by the judges or the Nominated Competitions Agent.

• Competitors are not permitted to take any of the following into the competition area unless otherwise instructed: personal electronic devices including mobile phones, electronic cigarettes, tablets, mp3 players, written notes, sketches or special aids.

• The Nominated Competitions Agent will ensure that marking is undertaken fairly and will calculate marks to establish places and awards.

• Judges are not allowed to discuss marks or provide one to one feedback to Competitors unless it has been built into the competition programme. This feedback should be consistent and follow the same format for all competitors.

• Should a Competitor feel at a disadvantage for any reason before or during the competition, he or she should bring it to the Nominated Competitions Agent’s attention immediately, following the complaints and appeals procedure.

Health and Safety Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation applying to the competition and event derives from The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and all applicable regulation included under this legislation. All activities must comply with the relevant national regulation and proven best practices. Any breaches of health, Safety and Welfare must be reported to a responsible person. • The Competition Organiser and/or the Nominated Competitions Agent will carry out a safety check of the

competition site prior to the competition. • All Competitors, Representatives, and Judges will receive a health and safety briefing before the start of

the competition. • Competitors must wear appropriate clothing and safety equipment in accordance to health and safety

regulations for the skill, such as safety glasses, gloves and ear defenders • All electrical equipment brought by Competitors or Representatives should be PAT tested within the last

12 months and used at the competitors’ own risk. • Adhering to health and safety practices is the responsibility of each competitor. Failure to do so may

result in disqualification from the competition, and being asked to leave the competition venue. • Safe work practices of the relevant industry and the venue must be adhered to at all times.

After the heat First, second and third places are awarded at competition heats where possible. • Depending on the type of competition, it may not be possible for results to be disclosed on the day of the

competition. It will be clearly explained at the beginning of the competition during the briefing if this is the case.

• Competition results may be announced at the end of each heat, at the discretion of the Competition Organiser.

• Challenges to the results will be considered through the competition Complaints and Appeals Procedure, as described in section 7.

• Competitors taking part in heats will receive their certificates of participation at the end of the competition. A summary of their marks will be sent by email after the last competition heat has taken place.

• Competitors submitting work to a passive stage will receive their certificates of participation by post to the address entered at the point of registration. A summary of their marks will be sent by email after the competition judging has taken place.

• Finalists are selected from the top scoring competitors nationally. So it is possible that winners from the heats may not necessarily go through to the final and those who have not gained a place at a heat may have gained a significantly high mark nationally to make it into the UK final at WorldSkills UK – The Skills Show in November 2014.

After the UK Final Gold, Silver, Bronze and Highly Commended medals are awarded at the UK final. • WorldSkills UK will verify the results and awards will be announced at the end of the UK final at

WorldSkills UK – The Skills Show during the Closing Ceremony, Saturday evening. • Challenges to the results will be considered through the competition Complaints and Appeals Procedure,

as described in see section 7. • The following describes the procedure for awarding medals at UK finals: • Competitors/Teams achieving the highest score will receive a Gold medal • Competitors/Teams achieving the 2nd highest score will receive a Silver medal • Competitors/Teams achieving the 3rd highest score will receive a Bronze medal • If Competitors/Teams scores are equal, joint Gold, Silver or Bronze medals will be awarded • Competitors/Teams achieving above the average score of all finalists who completed in the competition

and who are not receiving Gold, Silver or Bronze medals will receive Highly Commended awards. • Competitors/Teams achieving below the average score and who have not won a medal will receive a

Participation Certificate. • If a UK final comprises of three or fewer Competitors or Teams, the award of Gold, Silver and Bronze

medals will be at the discretion of the Competition Organiser and WorldSkills UK. For example, across all competitions a Gold medal will be awarded to the highest scoring Competitor/Team provided they meet the minimum standard; however, should there be a large margin (greater than 20%) in scores between the winner and 2nd and/or 3rd scores, Silver and/or Bronze may not be awarded.

• The completed project work is the property of the Competition Organisers who may pass it back to Competitors, where possible and at the discretion of the Competition Organiser.

• Competitors at UK finals will receive a summary of their marks by email after the competition has taken place. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Highly Commended winners will receive a medal for their achievement at the competition once marks have been verified by WorldSkills UK, where possible. If the nature of the competition task does not allow this, they will be sent by post after the competition to the address entered at the point of registration. Certificates for medal winners will also be sent at this time.

• In those competitions which lead straight to a UK Final without any heats, competitors can expect to receive their certificate of participation at the UK Final.

Eligibility criteria for Squad UK selection The progression of competitors/teams to join the selection process for Squad UK for WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 is subject to meeting the following: • Age eligibility criteria • Performance criteria • Competing in an Advanced or Higher level competition that progresses to WorldSkills and either to:

o have been continuously resident in the UK for at least 2 years, o have been educated and trained in a UK education or training establishment, and o hold one or more related UK qualifications,

or o hold, or be eligible to hold, a UK passport.

Age eligibility criteria WorldSkills International eligibility criteria states that competitors for the WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017, must be born on or after 1 January 1995, and for Mechatronics, Manufacturing Team Challenge and Aeronautical Engineering competitors must be born on or after 1 January 1992. Performance criteria The three highest scoring, age eligible competitors/teams who achieve a score above 50% of the available marks in each relevant Skills Competition at The Skills Show, November 2015 will be invited to participate in the Squad UK selection process. Competing in the correct competition and level Competing in an Advanced or Higher level competition that progresses to WorldSkills, these competitions are outlined in section. Complaints and Appeals Procedure This procedure is in accordance with the general principles and practices that apply specifically to WorldSkills UK, whether regional, national or international.

Stage 1 of the procedure If a Competitor, directly or through his/her representative, wishes to formally appeal against the conduct and/or the result of a WorldSkills UK competition, in the first instance he/she, or their Representative on their behalf, should seek to resolve the concern at the competition with the Competition Organiser or the Nominated Competitions Agent. Any complaints should be formally documented, noting who made the complaint, when, where, to whom, regarding what and whether a resolution was reached. Stage 2 of the procedure If Stage 1 has not resolved the concern, the competitor, or their Representative, should write to WorldSkills UK giving full details of the concern. Head of Skills Competitions enquiries@worldskillsuk.org

WorldSkills UK will investigate the concern and respond formally within 15 working days. WorldSkills UK reserves the right to make alterations and changes to these rules without notice. Competition Partners This competition is managed by Semta in association with FESTO, Middlesex University and a number of industry partners and sponsors.

Relevant Links Semta http://www.semta.org.uk/ Middlesex University http://www.mdx.ac.uk/ FESTO GB http://www.festo.com/cms/en-gb_gb/index.htm