The government has released £8 million in funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as part of its Made Smarter Adoption programme, which aims to support up to 1,000 smaller manufacturers across the north-west, north-east, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the West Midlands regions in the takeup of digital technology.
The idea is to help SMEs modernise, go digital and create new jobs, with a pilot programme that was launched in January 2019 already having engaged with over 1,000 firms and provided more than 500 businesses with direct support to adopt digital technology and overcome challenges to grow.
Through supporting uptake of the likes of robotics and automation, the Internet of Things or additive manufacturing, the programme can help regions level up by enabling firms to increase productivity, reduce emissions and create highly skilled, well-paid jobs.
Lord Grimstone, minister for investment, said: “The proof is in the pudding and for the companies that have adopted the latest digital technology they are already reaping the rewards.
“To help level up the country, we want to ensure businesses have the right tools for the job so that they can build back better and greener from the pandemic.”
Aside from funding, the programme includes free and impartial expert advice, access to specialised leadership and management training, funded digital internships and more.
There’s a Made Smarter online virtual conference on March 10th that could prove useful for businesses of all shapes and sizes, where you can learn from other manufacturers about how best to go about adopting technology into your business.
Looking for manufacturing companies in Staffordshire at the moment? Get in touch with Precision Technologies today.