£230k funding boost to help digital transformation of Liverpool City Region SME manufacturers

DEPARTMENT for Business and Trade backs Made Smarter Adoption North West to support companies adopt cutting-edge digital tools for growth, jobs and decarbonisation

Made Smarter Adoption North West, the trailblazing digital technology adoption programme, has secured an additional £230,000 to help more Liverpool City Region based SME manufacturers access transformational technology.

The allocation from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will fund at least 10 new companies to adopt technologies such as sensors, robotics and 3D printers to increase productivity, growth, create new high value jobs and support decarbonisation.

This cash boost is more good news for the business support initiative that will continue from April 2025 as part of the Government's £16M commitment to expand into all English Regions.

Made Smarter offers SME manufacturing and engineering companies access to technology advice, leadership and skills training, as well as grant funding for digital internships and technology projects.

Alain Dilworth, Programme Manager, said:- "I am delighted that DBT have allocated a further £230k of in-year funding to Made Smarter Adoption North West. The majority will go towards supporting our strong pipeline of companies to adopt new digital tools to accelerate their digital transformation. The opportunity to be able to support more manufacturing and engineering SMEs is something we relish, and we urge those companies who have yet to make contact with us to do so."

Made Smarter Adoption North West celebrates its 7th Anniversary in January. The programme was created to accelerate technology adoption in SME manufacturing and engineering businesses lacking in-house resources and know-how. The programme is run by a team of 16 with expertise in manufacturing, technology and organisational development.

So far, the programme has engaged with 2,500 companies and offered technology advice to over 500 individual businesses. 330 of those have secured over £7m in grants to invest in 379 technology projects backed by £18m of their own money.

This £25m investment is forecast to create over 1,700 new jobs, upskill 3,200 existing roles, and add £267m GVA to the economy over the next 3 years.

Over 200 businesses have embedded new digital skills into their operations through Made Smarter leadership programmes, internships and other training opportunities. Half of the 75 digital internships placed with businesses resulted in permanent job offers.

The North West Adoption programme was the blueprint for current Regional programmes operating in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands, the East Midlands, and will be again for the new Regions joining the programme in April 2025.

Donna Edwards, Director of Made Smarter's North West Adoption Programme, said:- "This additional funding package is testament to the positive impact that Made Smarter North West is having. Our programme has been designed specifically for manufacturers, offering specialist advice to help them select the right approach, level of investment and tools to grow and build resilience. As we enter our 7th year, we are more determined than ever to reach more SME manufacturers across the sector to talk to them about the benefits of introducing new technologies and new digital skills."

For more information, visit:- MadesMarter.UK.

Ormskirk pupil's "dreams come true" as he signs for Bolton Wanderers
Photo by West Lancashire Sport Partnership

A pupil at Ormskirk School, part of Endeavour Learning Trust, has said his:- "dreams have come true" after signing for Bolton Wanderers football team.

Jacob Wilson, 13, will be playing for the Wanderers under 14s team. Jacob, from Skelmersdale, plays at centre midfield.

Mr Bryant, Jacob's Football Coach and a Teacher at Ormskirk School, commented:- "We are all enormously proud of Jacob's attitude and focus, not only on the pitch, but also inside the classroom. Jacob is a credit to himself, his family and Ormskirk School."

He previously represented West Lancashire Schoolboys at:- under 11's, 12's and 13's, as well as:- Maghull FC.

John Burnham, head of Ormskirk School, said:- "Jacob is a role model to other pupils and we're so pleased that his talent has been recognised in this way. All of us at Ormskirk look forward to cheering Jacob on for many years to come, and I'm sure he'll prove himself an asset to the Wanderers."