Artificial intelligence skills programme supports Yorkshire manufacturers

Made Smarter is offering leadership and digital manufacturing courses, with funding from government.

Made Smarter Yorkshire & Humber is offering fully funded training to help companies develop their leadership capability as advanced technologies become increasingly central to competitiveness and innovation.

Its Digital Manufacturing Leadership (Digital Leaders) and Digital Manufacturing Champions (Digital Champions) courses aim to teach small and medium enterprises (SMEs) how to capitalise on AI to boost productivity and drive growth.

Digital Leaders focuses on equipping senior managers with skills to adopt digital technologies and lead organisational change, while Digital Champions trains them in practical skills and confidence to drive digital adoption and business growth.

Delivered by experts from Sheffield Hallam University, the programmes draw on expertise from across its business, technology and engineering schools.

This includes practical insights into how digital manufacturing technologies such as AI, robotics and 3D printing, are applied in real-world settings, through blending face-to-face workshops, online webinars and a manufacturing site visit to see technology adoption in action.

Participants will also gain access to the university’s manufacturing and engineering labs and support for developing a bespoke, tech-enabled business strategy.

This helps link Made Smarter leadership development with wider support, such as digital internships, technical advice and capital investment grants.

The next programmes will see Digital Champions held in Leeds and Digital Leaders in York, both starting on Wednesday 4 February and delivered over eight and nine weeks respectively.

Manufacturers are invited to register their interest via the Made Smarter Yorkshire & Humber website or contact their local Business Relationship Manager directly to discuss course schedules and secure places.