South East manufacturers are accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), automation and digital tools through Made Smarter South East's Digital Internship programme.
The government-funded initiative is helping SMEs access specialist digital skills and emerging talent through funded university placements, providing a low-risk way to explore and deploy new technologies to the factory floor.
At the same time, students gain valuable hands-on experience, applying their academic know-how to real manufacturing challenges while developing the technical, commercial and professional skills employers are looking for.
Over the past year, digital interns have worked on projects ranging from AI-powered customer tools and workflow automation to ERP implementation, systems integration and digital design development.
With five internships already completed and a further 12 opportunities currently being delivered or recruited, increasing numbers of manufacturers across the South East are using the programme to access emerging digital talent and accelerate technology projects.
Bryan Vint, Programme Manager for Made Smarter South East, said: "One of the biggest barriers to digital transformation for many manufacturers is finding the time and specialist expertise needed to turn ideas into reality.
"These digital internships help overcome that challenge by connecting businesses with talented students and graduates who bring new skills, knowledge and fresh thinking into the organisation. Whether it's exploring AI, automating processes or improving digital workflows, the placements provide a practical, low-risk way for manufacturers to access specialist expertise and accelerate projects.
"At the same time, students gain invaluable experience working on real business challenges, applying their learning in a commercial environment and developing the skills employers are looking for. By connecting manufacturers with emerging digital talent from universities across the region, the programme is helping strengthen the future skills pipeline and creating benefits for businesses, students and the wider manufacturing sector."
NightSearcher, a Portsmouth-based manufacturer of professional portable lighting and power solutions, recruited University of Portsmouth student Pyae Aung to support the implementation of a new ERP system and the digitisation of warehouse operations.
Colin Howard, Managing Director, said: "The internship gave us additional resources exactly when we needed it. Implementing new technology alongside running a busy manufacturing operation is a huge task, so having somebody focused on supporting that transition has been incredibly valuable."
Bradbury Tracks, a family-run manufacturer of bespoke curtain track systems based in High Wycombe, used the programme to develop an AI-driven chatbot designed to support product specification and customer enquiries, with the help of University of Southampton student Adam Ahmed-Keyte.
Kris Theophanous, Managing Director, said: "The internship allowed us to explore an AI project that we simply would not have had the capacity to progress on our own. Bringing in somebody with specialist AI knowledge gave us fresh thinking and helped us begin turning ideas into something practical for the business.
“Adam’s placement proved so valuable that we have continued working with him as a paid member of the team.”
In Hampshire, sustainable construction manufacturer Ecologic Developments recruited University of Southampton student Nikita Malkov to progress its ambitions for a more integrated digital design-to-production workflow.
Alex Ainsworth, Managing Director of Ecologic Developments, said: "The internship gave us extra technical resource at a really important stage in our growth. Having somebody who could support CAD, design processes and wider project activity helped relieve pressure internally and allowed us to keep progressing key areas of the business."
Meanwhile, Kent-based fine art scanning and printing specialist Art4site partnered with University of Kent student Daniel Olusakin to improve the integration of customer-facing systems and backend databases, helping streamline operations and reduce manual administration.
Michael Setek, Founder of Art4site, said: "Hosting a digital intern has helped us explore how to automate parts of our workflow and connect our systems more effectively, reducing manual data entry, minimising errors and creating a more scalable process as the business grows."
For many of the students, the placements provided their first opportunity to apply academic learning within a live manufacturing environment.
Pyae Aung, a master’s student in digital business management, said: "My internship with NightSearcher was a first opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I'd gained through my studies to a real industrial project with tangible outcomes. It was an incredibly rewarding experience. It has strengthened my technical skills, and improved my communication and professional confidence.”
Adam Ahmed-Keyte, who is studying a master’s in Artificial Intelligence, said: “The placement at Bradbury Tracks has given me a great opportunity to gain more technical experience, and apply the skills I've learned on my course to industry.”
Nikita Malkov, who is studying Aerospace Engineering, said: “My placement at Ecologic Developments provided me with a significant amount of experience within different positions from design to project management. This allowed me to greatly improve my skills and create a stronger CV.”
Daniel Olusakin, who is studying computer science student, said: “Overall, the skillsets that I have gained and improved from this experience will positively impact my confidence as a developer, particularly as Art4siteI trusted me to work on a business-impactful project right out of the gate.”
Digital Internships form part of Made Smarter South East's wider support programme, which also includes digital roadmaps, leadership training and workforce development, and match-funded grants of up to £20,000 to help manufacturers adopt new technologies.
For more detail visit: madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/south-east