IN4.0 Group and GM AI Foundry to accelerate digital transformation in Greater Manchester

Universities in the North West of England and IN4.0 Group are offering 30 Greater Manchester SMEs free fully funded training in data science and AI technology over the next 12 months.

The project – which includes Lancaster University – aims to support SME manufacturing digital transformation by offering fully-funded programmes in AI, IoT and Data Science.

IN4.0 Group, an industry 4.0 training, consultancy and digital transformation services provider, will deliver the fully funded training programme in AI, IoT and data science to manufacturing businesses. Lancaster University offers fully funded research and development projects to help improve products through the integration of AI, intelligent control, robotics and additive manufacturing/3D printing.

This follows HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology, announcing an exciting new collaboration with the Greater Manchester AI Foundry in October 2020. The £6 million project was developed in Greater Manchester by Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Manchester, the University of Salford and Lancaster University, and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Having worked with an extensive portfolio of businesses to develop and implement industry 4.0 projects, IN4.0 Group has an established pedigree of delivering applied learning innovation programmes in the manufacturing and engineering sector. It is an approved training provider for the UK’s automotive and aerospace sector on the SC21 (Supply Chains for the 21st Century) programme as well as being an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Select Consulting Partner.

This new contract with Lancaster University supports IN4.0’s commitment to accelerating industrial digital technology adoption across the region by making it accessible, applicable and affordable.

Each cohort of 15 businesses will progress from identifying examples of technology adoption to a fully working proof of concept over three months. Additionally, IN4.0’s talent academy will provide trained junior engineers to support with projects, which will also offer businesses the opportunity to see how they fit within their team, trial a new role and potentially employ them afterwards.

Based in MediaCityUK, at the heart of Salford’s innovation district, HOST, formerly The Landing, was instrumental in establishing Greater Manchester as a world-leading digital city-region.

IN4.0 became the operator of HOST in autumn 2020 to drive prosperity across the North while pioneering a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4.0 Group, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Lancaster University and the wider GM AI Foundry team, allowing us to complement our industry expertise with leading academic research capability.”

“Technology is not only an enabler to productivity it is also an enabler to prosperity. By working with our companies in the region and through introducing local talent, we will ensure we do both.”

Sam Walsh, Project Engineer, GM AI Foundry said: “We are excited to be working with IN4.0 on this new project, which builds on our strong partnership with Greater Manchester universities and businesses and aims to support SMEs in the exploitation of commercial opportunities arising from artificial intelligence.”

The first course is due to start on 18 May. For more information and to register your interest, please contact the IN4.0 team at: info@in4group.co.uk