Cumbrian 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.
Ratio Technology, an Ambleside-based manufacturer of performance bike components, worked with mechanical engineering student Jonah Monks to apply VR, digital twins and digital tools to CNC machining and manufacturing improvement.
Tom Simpson, director at Ratio Technology, said: “The internship allowed us to bring in additional engineering expertise sooner than our cashflow would otherwise have allowed, supporting our continued growth.
“Jonah helped modernise our CNC processes and reduce waste, brought a fresh, external perspective to improving how our lathe functions, and supported product development.”
Jonah, a student at the University of Sheffield, added: “I’ve been able to combine digital tools with practical engineering, automating processes and supporting real R&D work on the shop floor. It’s given me valuable insight into how digital technologies are used in manufacturing.”
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.”
