AN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE firm is among those that have benefitted from a scheme that helps manufacturers tackle the growing digital skills gap and accelerate innovation.
Made Smarter has relaunched its highly successful Digital Technology Internship programme.
The government funded project connects digitally capable students and recent graduates with small and medium-sized manufacturers to work on real-world technology adoption projects.
And one of them is Fabricon Design, which is using advanced manufacturing methods to produce innovative plastics, aluminium and steel component designs.
The company was matched through Made Smarter to Luke Hickson, a master’s postgraduate studying Industrial Digitalisation at Manchester Metropolitan University.
With impressive work on university projects using CAD design and 3D printing, he secured a permanent job as a design and development engineer.
After almost two years at Fabricon, which is based on Whitelands Road, Luke has progressed his career and is now an Additive Manufacturing Engineer for Bentley Motors.
He said: “Since I was young, I’ve had ambitions to become an engineer.
“My internship at Fabricon Design was a turning point – it gave me hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology and real-world projects.
“That foundation helped me grow into my subsequent roles.”
The scheme’s reboot follows the overwhelming success of the first phase (2019–2022), where nearly half of interns secured permanent jobs.
It helps manufacturers address immediate resource needs and long-term skills development, while offering students career-defining experience.
Donna Edwards, Programme Director for Made Smarter, said: “It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the impact our Digital Internship Programme has had – bringing fresh energy, ideas, and digital know-how into manufacturing businesses across the North West.
“Phase one showed just how powerful this model can be, not only helping manufacturers embrace new technologies and improve productivity, but also giving students and graduates that all-important first step into the industry.
“With national funding now in place, phase two is set to go even further – offering more opportunities for businesses to access fully funded support, and for young people to gain meaningful, paid experience that can kickstart their careers.
“This is about building confidence on both sides – giving manufacturers the skills to take digital forward and developing the next generation of talent to drive the future of UK manufacturing.”