Yorkshire manufacturers are bringing AI, automation and advanced digital tools to the factory floor, thanks to a new wave of digital interns driving change within SMEs.
From machine vision systems checking production in real time, to automated testing rigs, CRM-ready data platforms, AI-driven process improvements and cloud-connected products, students and graduates from Made Smarter Yorkshire’s Digital Internship Programme are helping businesses move faster, work smarter and unlock projects that had previously been stuck in limbo.
The skills initiative, delivered by Sheffield Hallam University, gives manufacturers direct access to specialist digital capability without long-term risk. These funded three-month placements allow companies to trial new technologies, digitise outdated processes and accelerate innovation, while interns gain hands-on experience solving live industrial challenges.
Digital Internships form part of the government-funded Made Smarter Yorkshire’s wider support offer, which includes digital roadmaps, funded technology projects and leadership development programmes designed to strengthen long-term competitiveness across the region’s manufacturing base.
“It’s fantastic to see the immediate and measurable impact this cohort of digital interns is having on manufacturers across the region.
“What we are seeing across Yorkshire is not just experimentation, but acceleration. Manufacturers are embedding automation, data systems and digital platforms into live environments, improving productivity and competitiveness and, in some cases, creating permanent roles as a direct result. With new internships launching regularly, I would encourage businesses to explore the opportunities available.”
Siouxnice Walker, Senior Internship Coordinator for Made Smarter Yorkshire
Since 2021, Made Smarter Yorkshire has funded 37 internships, including 16 during the pilot year in 2021/22 and a further 21 funded in the current programme year. With placements continuing to roll out, eight internships have already been matched to businesses this year, with further opportunities live and in development.
Across the latest cohort, emerging digital talent from UK universities has helped consolidate fragmented business data, automate quality checks, embed augmented reality (AR) work instructions, develop customer-facing digital systems, strengthen R&D capability, and build structured e-commerce platforms, improving operational performance and supporting sustainable growth.
In some cases, the impact has been so immediate that businesses are now offering full-time roles to retain tech-savvy talent and maintain momentum.
One such example is Hull-based Monitair, a manufacturer of airflow monitoring technology, where the contribution of intern Solomon Taiwo Olanisebe, an Electrical and Electronics Engineering student from the University of Hull, has been so significant that the company will be offering him a permanent position.
Kathryn Sowerby, Managing Director, said: “As a small company, bringing in an intern has been incredibly valuable. Solomon has helped us begin R&D projects that we simply did not have the time or resources to progress. His electronics knowledge has enabled us to explore product improvements and future development ideas.”
Solomon Taiwo Olanisebe added: “This internship has allowed me to apply my academic knowledge to real-world product development and testing. Working on prototype designs and exploring how the device can evolve has strengthened my practical engineering skills and given me valuable experience in research and development within manufacturing.”
In Thirsk, bespoke furniture manufacturer Treske removed a long-standing barrier to CRM adoption after intern Madonna Tsegha, an Applied Data Science graduate of Teesside University, consolidated fragmented customer data into a single, reliable source of truth, fast-tracking its digital sales strategy.
Justin Bartlett, Managing Director, said: “We initially saw the internship as a way to improve our data analysis, but Madonna has taken us much further than we anticipated. Through the internship, we have effectively accelerated our digital journey.”
Madonna Tsegha said: “This placement has given me real-world experience of how digital tools can unlock progress within SME manufacturing.”
In Leeds, sensor manufacturer Ionix refined the user interface of a tablet-based system that will support its next-generation, cloud-connected platform, working with digital design graduate Nava Yousef from the University of York.
Dr Tim Comyn, Technical Director, said: “Interns allow us to focus on specific, high-value areas of work while bringing fresh skills and perspective to the business. Nava has integrated seamlessly across the team and brought dedicated expertise to the development of our digital front end. As we move towards launching our first end-to-end sensor platform, her contribution has helped accelerate that journey.”
Nava Yousef said: “This internship has allowed me to apply digital design thinking within a highly technical engineering environment while strengthening my coding skills. Contributing to a product that will form part of Ionix’s connected platform has been incredibly motivating.”
In Sheffield, exhaust manufacturer Cobra Sport digitised internal workflows and introduced augmented reality-guided work instructions, with the help of software engineering student Ayan Tanveer from Sheffield Hallam University.
Sarah Ansley, Finance and Compliance Officer, said: “Ayan has made a real impact. Digitising workflows and creating visual, AR-guided procedures has improved efficiency and upskilled colleagues across the business. Bringing in fresh digital expertise has strengthened our internal processes and supported a culture of continuous improvement.”
Ayan Tanveer added: “Working on digitising processes and developing digital work instructions has strengthened my confidence and shown me how software skills can directly improve efficiency on the factory floor.”
Other manufacturers across Yorkshire are seeing similar impact. ICE Electronics in Leeds improved production reliability with an automated testing platform developed alongside Sheffield Hallam graduate Mohit Kumar. GinGingers in Pontefract strengthened its digital and e-commerce capability with Coventry University graduate Marian Vivek Balavendran, while Ebar in Brighouse enhanced its camera-based inspection system with support from fellow Coventry graduate Sai Kushal Chakka. In Ingleton, Robustrack modernised CRM and inventory systems and advanced AI-driven automation with University of Bristol graduate Nick Cerca.
Since launching in 2021, Made Smarter Yorkshire has engaged with almost 1,200 manufacturers, created nearly 700 digital roadmaps and provided technical project support to more than 250 businesses. Over 100 capital grants worth £1.4 million have been approved, unlocking a further £2.4 million in private investment for a £3.8 million technology boost across the region. Close to 150 companies have taken part in leadership and skills programmes.
Businesses looking to access funded digital talent, and students seeking hands-on manufacturing experience, can view current placements here: https://www.madesmarter.uk/get-involved/digital-internship-opportunities/yorkshire-and-humber-digital-intern-roles