Industry 4.0 accelerator programme launches in the North West

Industry 4.0 accelerator programme launches in the North West

The digital revolution of the automotive industry is already underway.  Vehicle Manufacturers and suppliers are benefiting from increased productivity, greater flexibility and shorter times to market.  Automotive estimations include up to 5% increased productivity, up to 20% reduced parts inventory and up to 40% reduced machine downtime.  The estimated benefit to Vehicle Manufacturers is £4.3 billion and to supplier is £2.6 billion. But to achieve these results, its crucial technical staff are provided with the necessary tools and knowledge. That’s where a new scheme can help to rapidly equip key team members with the skills they need.
The Industry 4.0 Accelerator Programme has been designed through IN4.0 Group’s joint venture with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and in collaboration with NatWest’s world class Entrepreneur Accelerator. The programme is supported by BAE Systems, providing access to their technology experts and their Academy for Skills and Knowledge. They also have other sector leading technology companies contributing to the learning aided by SME businesses who have benefited from industry 4.0 adoption. IN4.0 ACCESS is the first disruptive innovation accelerator of its kind that gives manufacturing businesses the opportunity to develop their future leaders with the knowledge and skills required to succeed with Industry 4.0 technology funded by the Apprenticeship Levy. Their unique approach facilitates the efficient upskill of technical staff to post graduate Chartered Engineer level, underpinned with a commercial innovation project supported through access to world class technical facilities, IN4.0 technology post graduates and industry experts. Firms with a wage bill of under £3m only need to pay 5% (£1350) of the programme costs.  Companies with a wage bill of over £3m have a levy pot to spend and it can be used to sponsor an existing employee through IN4.0 ACCESS.

There are two start dates programmed in September – one in Lancashire and one in Manchester and the duration of the course is 6 days, taken over 3 months. For full course details on the ACCESS Course click here Details of the PGDip which ACCESS leads into, can be found here The courses are supported by the Northern Automotive Alliance, which will be participating in Northern Manufacturing & Electronics 2019