HM Treasury recently announced the expansion of the Made Smarter Programme. The programme will be rolled out across all English regions in 2025-26 and will expand further to the devolved nations in 2026-27.
Through the programme, small to medium-sized manufacturers will be able to access technology advice, skills training, and grant funding for digital internships and technology projects.
The programme initially launched in the North West of England in 2019 intending to help SMEs in the manufacturing industry make a short-term impact and increase productivity.
Since its launch the programme has worked with 2,500 manufacturers, funded over 300 projects, and is projected to upskill 2,772 people and create 1,550 jobs in the North West. It’s also predicted that the North West’s Growth Value Added will increase by £242m on the back of the programme.
Brian Holliday, Co-Chair of the Made Smarter Commission and MD of Siemens Digital Industries, commented on the rollout of the programme across England. "The budget announcements on the Made Smarter Adoption and Innovation programmes are a tremendously positive acknowledgement of the impact that Made Smarter is having on UK manufacturing.
I am particularly pleased the programme has been supported by successive governments, helping to stimulate longer-term thinking and long-term growth - now backed up by an emerging Industrial Strategy.
“Manufacturing leaders need Made Smarter, which has become the best-known start-point and signposting service for the sector in support of productivity, competitiveness and sustainability improvement at scale.”
If you would like to find out more about the Made Smarter programme and how it can help your manufacturing business, click here.
This announcement from HM Treasury followed confirmation that the government will continue to fund the Help to Grow: Management Course in 2025.
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