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Digital Internships Accelerate AI and Automation in South East Manufacturing

Phil Black - PII Editor 2 minutes ago

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SMEs are speeding up their digital transformation thanks to Made Smarter South East’s Digital Internship programme.

Manufacturers throughout the South East are embracing artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and other digital technologies at a rapid pace, all thanks to this government-funded initiative. It helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) tap into specialized digital skills and fresh talent through funded university placements, offering a low-risk way to explore and implement new technologies right on the factory floor.

Meanwhile, students are gaining invaluable hands-on experience by tackling real-world manufacturing challenges, all while honing the technical, commercial, and professional skills that employers are on the lookout for.

In the past year alone, digital interns have contributed to a variety of projects, including AI-driven customer tools, workflow automation, enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation, systems integration, and digital design development.

So far, five internships have been successfully completed, with another 12 opportunities either currently underway or in the recruitment phase. This programme is paving the way for more South East manufacturers to connect with emerging digital talent and fast-track their technology initiatives.

Digital Internships Help Manufacturers Tackle Skills Gaps

Bryan Vint, Programme Manager for Made Smarter South East, shared: “One of the biggest hurdles many manufacturers face in their digital transformation journey is finding the time and specialized expertise to turn their ideas into reality.

“These digital internships help break down that barrier by linking businesses with talented students and graduates who bring fresh skills, knowledge, and innovative thinking to the table. Whether it’s diving into AI, automating processes, or enhancing digital workflows, these placements offer a practical, low-risk avenue for manufacturers to access specialized expertise and speed up their projects.”

“At the same time, students are gaining priceless experience by tackling real business challenges, putting their knowledge to work in a commercial setting, and honing the skills that employers are eager to find. By linking manufacturers with up-and-coming digital talent from universities in the area, this program is not only bolstering the future skills pipeline but also creating advantages for businesses, students, and the broader manufacturing industry.”

NightSearcher Supports ERP and Warehouse Digitisation

NightSearcher, a manufacturer based in Portsmouth known for its professional portable lighting and power solutions, brought on University of Portsmouth student Pyae Aung to assist with the rollout of a new ERP system and the digitization of its warehouse operations.

Colin Howard, the Managing Director, shared: “The internship provided us with the extra resources we needed right when we needed them. Implementing new technology while managing a busy manufacturing operation is a monumental task, so having someone dedicated to supporting that transition has been incredibly beneficial.”

Bradbury Tracks Explores AI-Powered Customer Support

Bradbury Tracks, a family-owned manufacturer of custom curtain track systems located in High Wycombe, utilized the program to create an AI-driven chatbot aimed at assisting with product specifications and customer inquiries.

This project was backed by University of Southampton student Adam Ahmed-Keyte.

Kris Theophanous, the Managing Director, remarked: “The internship gave us the opportunity to dive into an AI project that we simply wouldn’t have been able to pursue on our own. Bringing in someone with specialized AI expertise brought fresh perspectives and helped us start turning our ideas into practical solutions for the business.

“Adam’s contribution was so valuable that we’ve decided to keep him on as a paid member of our team.”

Ecologic Developments Advances Digital Design

In Hampshire, the sustainable construction company Ecologic Developments brought on board University of Southampton student Nikita Malkov to help advance its goal of creating a more seamless digital design-to-production workflow.

Alex Ainsworth, the Managing Director of Ecologic Developments, shared, “The internship provided us with valuable technical support at a crucial time in our growth. Having someone on hand to assist with CAD, design processes, and various project activities really eased the internal pressure and allowed us to keep moving forward in key areas of the business.”

Art4site Uses Automation to Streamline Operations

Over in Kent, fine art scanning and printing expert Art4site teamed up with University of Kent student Daniel Olusakin to enhance the connection between their customer-facing systems and backend databases.

This collaboration is helping the company streamline its operations and cut down on manual administrative tasks.

Michael Setek, the Founder of Art4site, remarked, “Bringing in a digital intern has allowed us to explore ways to automate parts of our workflow and better connect our systems, which reduces manual data entry, minimizes errors, and creates a more scalable process as we grow.”

Students Gain Real-World Manufacturing Experience

For many of the students involved, these placements have been their first chance to put their academic knowledge into practice in a real manufacturing setting.

Pyae Aung, a master’s student in digital business management, expressed, “My internship with NightSearcher was my first opportunity to apply what I learned in my studies to a real industrial project with tangible results. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience that boosted my technical skills and enhanced my communication and professional confidence.”

Adam Ahmed-Keyte, who is pursuing a master’s in Artificial Intelligence, added, “My placement at Bradbury Tracks has been a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on technical experience and apply the skills I’ve acquired in my course to the industry.”

Nikita Malkov, an Aerospace Engineering student, shared, “My placement at Ecologic Developments has given me a wealth of experience across various roles, from design to project management. This opportunity has really helped me sharpen my skills and build a more impressive CV.”

Daniel Olusakin, who is pursuing a degree in computer science, remarked, “The skills I’ve gained and honed through this experience will definitely boost my confidence as a developer. It’s especially encouraging that Art4site trusted me to contribute to a project that has a real business impact right from the start.”

Wider Support for South East Manufacturers

Digital Internships are a key part of the Made Smarter South East initiative, which aims to support manufacturers in the region.

This program also provides digital roadmaps, leadership training, and workforce development, along with match-funded grants of up to £20,000 to assist manufacturers in embracing new technologies.

For more details, check out the Made Smarter South East program at madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/south-east.