Overview

Automation is the control of machines and processes by independent systems using various technologies.

This is a practical competition that will test your understanding of logic circuits, design and fault-finding skills related to industrial automation in a challenging but enjoyable environment with a view to develop your automation skills further. To participate you will need to enter as a team of two competitors.

Competitors who have taken part in the Automation competition are encouraged to consider taking part in Mechatronics or Industry 4.0 competitions in subsequent years, with a view to progress their skills set further and also benefit from having access to international competitions.

The skills you need to demonstrate

  • Problem solving

  • Attention to detail

  • Performance testing

  • Troubleshooting

  • Software programming

  • Test design

  • Configuration management

  • Agility

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Prepare for competition success

Our library of endorsed local skills competition briefs ‘benchmarking assessments’ helps prepare learners to build technical skills, productivity, and mindset competencies for national competition success, including employability progression pathways.

Paired with the benchmarking tracker, educators can record progress, identifying strengths and target areas for improvement. Together, they offer a reliable, standards-led framework, creating a sustainable model for skills development that supports educators to empower learners to be competition ready.

Access on the Learning Lab

Entry criteria

  • This is a team activity (teams of two).
  • Team of competitors must have their own PLC and programming software for National Qualifier and National Final stages.
  • Competitors must be available for the National Qualifiers and National Finals.
  • There is no limit to the number of entries per organisation.
  • Competitors must be familiar with fundamentals of pneumatics, electro-pneumatics and PLC programming.
  • Competitors must be working towards a Level 3 qualification or have qualified no more than 12 months previous to competition registration opening.

How it works

Registrations open on Monday 2 March 2026, 9am and will close Friday 27 March 2026, midnight.

Entry Stage will be released between Monday 3 March & Friday 28 March with a final deadline of 2 May, 2025 (Exact dates will vary by competition).

Qualifier dates:

20 May: FESTO,
29 May: Burnley College,
12 June: Middlesex Uni,
19 June: South Eastern Regional College (SERC)

To help finalists prepare ahead of the UK Final, we will provide relevant technical training and share mindset development techniques, to support them to remain focused on achieving success.

The National Finals are scheduled to take place in Wales during the week commencing 16 November 2026.

Contact details

M.Karamanoglu@mdx.ac.uk

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