SME manufacturers are bringing AI, automation and digital twins onto the factory floor by teaming up with students and graduates through Made Smarter’s Digital Internship Programme.
The paid placements give businesses a fast, low-risk way to test and apply new technologies, modernise processes and build confidence in digital transformation, while giving students real, hands-on experience inside live manufacturing environments.
As National Apprenticeship Week puts the spotlight on skills and early careers, the government-backed adoption programme is showing how flexible, project-led internships can help businesses access specialist skills and explore technologies they would not otherwise have the time or capacity to pursue.
Over the past year, Made Smarter North West’s latest cohort of 18 interns have worked directly on factory floors and in engineering teams, applying a wide range of digital technologies to real production challenges. These include robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, data and analytics, CNC and CAD-to-CNC workflows, virtual reality and digital twins, system integration and wider workflow digitisation.
While the programme is focused on skills development and technology adoption, early employment outcomes are beginning to emerge, with two interns already offered permanent roles as businesses look to retain digital capability and momentum.
Donna Edwards, Programme Director for Made Smarter North West, said: “These digital internships are delivering exactly what manufacturers need, practical digital skills and fresh thinking, while giving students and graduates paid, hands-on experience on real industrial projects, and a direct stepping stone into employment.
“As National Apprenticeship Week highlights the importance of developing future talent, our digital internships show how flexible, paid placements can play a vital role in strengthening the manufacturing skills pipeline.”
Across the programme, interns have supported manufacturers to trial robotic welding, integrate AI into product design, improve CNC process control, digitise legacy patterns and workflows, develop virtual factory models, and explore system integration projects that support future automation. In many cases, placements have enabled businesses to test ideas and technologies that would otherwise have remained out of reach.
Heyside Plastics, based in Oldham, has recruited Enoch Adediran, a robotics and automation student at the University of Salford, after he successfully explored how automation and other technologies could be deployed across its operations.
Garreth Brown, Business Executive at Heyside Plastics, said: “Bringing in Enoch has helped us to fill a vital skills gap in the business and fast-track our digital roadmap. Enoch has been a revelation and the value he has already brought to the business in such a short time is immense.”
Enoch, 28, said: “The internship allowed me to gain valuable hands-on experience in plastics manufacturing and to see how automation can be applied in a real production environment. The placement has helped me develop my skills further in areas such as 3D modelling and network architecture, while also giving me insight into how digital technologies can be used to improve manufacturing processes in practice.”
Other successful examples include Ritherdon & Co in Darwen, who worked with Sahil Hathi, an electrical engineering student at Newcastle University, to explore robotic welding and automation, and D Squared Product Development, based in Liverpool, who partnered with Anoushka Phillips, a product design student at Nottingham Trent University, to integrate AI tools into the product design process.
Daniel Isler, Technical Director at D Squared Product Development, said: “Participating in the programme has enabled us to dedicate time to exploring and implementing a range of AI tools that would not otherwise have been possible.”
Anoushka, 22, added: “The internship allowed me to apply my university learning in a commercial environment and understand how creativity and feasibility have to work together on live projects.”
In Cumbria, Ratio Technology worked with University of Sheffield mechanical engineering student Jonah Monks to apply VR, digital twins and digital tools to CNC machining and manufacturing improvement, while Fleming Howland in Hapton collaborated with Manchester Metropolitan University graduate Kian Tavakoli to digitise furniture designs and upholstery cutting patterns for CNC production.
Paul Fleming, Managing Director of Fleming Howland, said: “Kian has been a genuine catalyst. His digital skillset allowed us to accelerate a complex CAD-to-CNC workflow that would have otherwise required outsourcing. Beyond the technical delivery, his presence has sparked a wider conversation about how traditional furniture making can evolve through smart manufacturing tools. It’s been a valuable experience for both sides.”
Kian, 22, added: “The internship helped me grow technically and professionally, but it also showed how digital change works best when it’s done with people, not to them.”
Elsewhere, Innovative Outdoor Products in Nelson partnered with Lancaster University engineering student Milanka Manathunga to digitise production patterns and support leaner manufacturing, while Burnley-based TheWorkwear Ltd worked with University of Lancashire graphic design student Ibrahim Syed Shah to improve digital design, branding and production workflows.
Sana Fatima, 24, a Master of Business Administration student at the University of Lancashire, was paired with a rubber manufacturer in Lancashire on a system integration project.
“It’s been a valuable opportunity to apply what I’ve learned to a real business challenge,” she said.
In Stockport, Arden Dies worked with Manchester Metropolitan University data science student Deniz Beyazgul and University of Salford robotics and automation student Husan Vokhidov to explore practical applications of AI and automation across its operations.
Since its inception in 2019, Made Smarter has supported over 2,500 manufacturers across the North West, providing access to expert digital advice, technology adoption roadmaps, skills development opportunities, and funded technology projects.
Find out more about the Digital Internship programme and read the recent white paper, visit:
madesmarter.uk/adoption/internship-programme