Made Smarter Adoption Programme

• Digital Transformation Specialists will assess each business that registers with the programme to ensure that they receive the specialist support they need.

• The next stage in your journey will bring in manufacturing specialists to help businesses develop a digital roadmap, followed by intensive business support to support industrial digital technology adoption.

Eligible businesses can access grant funding of up to £20,000 to support the adoption of digital technologies. Covering up to 50% of project costs, the funding helps de-risk investment in equipment, software, and specialist expertise.

It is designed to accelerate implementation, enabling businesses to move from planning to action and realise measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, and growth.

• Operational Managers can access specialist help through a cohort approach supporting them to deliver any workforce and organisational opportunities identified in your roadmap to help fulfil your industrial digital technology journey

• Join cohorts of fellow industrial peers to network, overcome barriers to growth and ultimately share best practice borne out of different sub-sectors.

Businesses can access fully funded leadership and management support designed to build the capability needed to lead successful digital transformation.

This includes structured training programmes, one-to-one coaching, and peer-to-peer learning with other manufacturers. The focus is on strengthening strategic decision-making, driving cultural change, and equipping leaders with the skills to embed new technologies and ways of working across the organisation.

Through the programme, businesses can access funded internships to bring in fresh talent and accelerate digital projects. Working with universities and training providers, these placements connect manufacturers with students and graduates in engineering, digital, and data disciplines.

Interns can support activities such as data analysis, process optimisation, and technology implementation, providing additional resources while enabling businesses to trial new approaches with low risk.

Manufacturers can access a programme of fully funded events and workshops designed to build capability and confidence in key areas of business transformation. These sessions provide practical, expert-led insights on topics such as AI integration, generational succession planning, and LEAN principles. Delivered in a collaborative environment with peers, the workshops are designed to be immediately applicable, helping businesses identify opportunities, develop skills, and take the next steps in their improvement journey at no cost.