£4.9m scheme set to help Yorkshire manufacturing firms 'embrace digital adoption'

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has launched the second round of a scheme aiming to help manufacturing businesses across Yorkshire and the Humber to digitalise their businesses.
Michael Crossland
By Michael Crossland
Published 9th Mar 2023, 16:45 BST

The £4.9m Made Smarter scheme aims to encourage digital adoption amongst SMEs in Yorkshire and the Humber, and includes intensive one-to-one advice and support.

Over 200 Yorkshire & Humber SMEs engaged with the Made Smarter pilot programme in 2021 and almost 400 projects and activities were completed, ranging from digital diagnostics, intensive technical support and capital expenditure grants.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Andrew Armstrong, SYMCA's Made Smarter development manager, said: “The Made Smarter programme will help regional manufacturers to embrace digital adoption, with a view to increasing productivity as part of gaining a competitive advantage. The programme is designed to support SMEs to use digital processes across all their methods of manufacture, providing more efficiency and better information to enable them to improve continually and fine-tune their processes.

Businesses taking part in the Made Smarted scheme can benefit from up to 50 per cent match funding, with grants up to a maximum value of £20,000.Businesses taking part in the Made Smarted scheme can benefit from up to 50 per cent match funding, with grants up to a maximum value of £20,000.
Businesses taking part in the Made Smarted scheme can benefit from up to 50 per cent match funding, with grants up to a maximum value of £20,000.

“There are digital experts in all of the Yorkshire and Humber Growth Hubs who will assess each business’ requirements and make sure they are provided with the kind of specialist support they need.”

The scheme provides funded advice from a team of specialist technology experts. Businesses can also benefit from up to 50 per cent match funding, with grants up to a maximum value of £20,000, as well as guidance on creating an effective digital roadmap.

The Made Smarter programme recently announced that Oxford Innovation Advice has been awarded the delivery contract for the second round of the digital upskilling scheme. The firm has supported over 33,000 businesses through business support programmes, of which more than 4,300 are SME manufacturers.

Related topics:SMEsYorkshireHumber