The NCC offers SMEs opportunities to develop digital capabilities

The National Composites Centre (NCC, Bristol, U.K.) is offering SMEs in the West of England Combined Authority region the opportunity to develop their digital capability for free, as part of the Workforce for the Future program.

Digital Learning Factory training modules created by the NCC, GKN Aerospace (Redditch, U.K.) and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) will give businesses and their employees the understanding and confidence to apply digital technologies in the workplace — while the NCC reports that this opportunity will aid in developing digital skills for engineering and manufacturing in general, it can be assumed that composite materials and processes will also be involved in some respect. The learning modules combine practical, problem-solving exercises and critical reflection, which will enable participants to use their new experience straight away.

Five modules will be delivered to SMEs between April and December 2022 in collaboration with GKN (training delivery partner), BRL (training delivery partner), Business West (skills diagnostics partner) and the University of the West of England (skills diagnostics partner). Several areas have been identified as having the potential to enhance SMEs’ digital capability, including:

• Connected shop floor: Exploring the use of multiple digital hardware options configured for an Industry 4.0 workbench.
• Robotics: Experiencing the set-up of industrial robotic arms and sensors, and their operating systems.
• Digital manufacturing and design
• Data science for engineering
• Digital technologies and Industry 4.0 for design and manufacturing

“Digital technologies can provide long-term benefits to productivity across multiple industries, but we know they can be a little daunting to understand. Through our involvement in ‘Workforce for the Future,’ we want to help SMEs not only increase their knowledge of these technologies and how they can help their business, but also have the confidence to do so,” says Helen Woods, head of Skills and Workforce Development at the NCC.

To ensure the Digital Learning Factories are delivering the maximum benefit to the SME community, the NCC will be hosting a workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 9:00-12:00, for SMEs to offer their thoughts and feedback on the format and modules, and what they feel would be most useful. SMEs can register to attend here.

Workforce for the Future is a free support service for businesses and individuals in the West of England. The £8 million program is said to help businesses develop employees’ skills, understand how they can meet their current and future skills needs and attract, develop and retain talented people. It also supports local residents to upskill and improve their career prospects. The West of England Combined Authority and the European Social Fund (ESF) co-fund Workforce for the Future.

“The pandemic has brought about huge changes in the way we work and has accelerated the need for new technology and digital skills to help businesses to adapt and grow,” notes Patricia Greer, chief executive of the West England Combined Authority. “Workforce for the Future is helping businesses across the region upskill their staff giving them confidence to apply their new skills to the workplace and helping businesses to thrive.”

For more information on Workforce for the Future, please contact the West of England Growth Hub. The Growth Hub is the West of England Combined Authority’s dedicated business support service which offers free, one-to-one advice and guidance for SMEs.