AMPI Skills Pilot Programme – Julie Penman, AMPI

The Advanced Machinery and Productivity Institute (AMPI) is an industry led initiative that will stimulate and support rapid growth of the UK’s machinery manufacturing sector as it transitions to highly integrated digital solutions with sophisticated automated and autonomous systems. Helping UK based machinery developers to bring new cutting-edge & sustainable products to market.

Through UKRI’s Strength in Places Fund (SIPF), the AMPI Skills Pilot Programme will support the acceleration, development and commercialisation of advanced machinery, related technologies, and know-how, along with a broader benefit to wider manufacturing sectors due to improved availability of advanced machinery and expertise.

Recruitment for the AMPI Skills Pilot Programme is starting now with an aim to support funding for commencement of learning and development interventions from May 2024. Places on the AMPI skills pilot are limited and full details will be discussed with any interested companies. Initial discussions are being held during February and March 2024.

Eligibility: The AMPI Skills Pilot Programme Fund is open to UK registered businesses with significant operations in the Greater Manchester or West Yorkshire regions only.

Machinery industries could include: Machine tool manufacturers • Robotics manufacturers • Other machine manufacturers • Machine control system manufacturers • Providers of digitalisation systems for manufacturing, including sensing and control • Machinery subsystems manufacturers • Automation system manufacturers

Technologies for machinery could include: Machine tool, robotic, and automation systems • Advanced controllers and PLCs • In-situ and in-process measurement systems • Intelligent software systems • On-machine sensor networks • True digital twins of machinery • Hybrid and/or reconfigurable systems • Sustainable machine development

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Demystifying grants – Jo Derbyshire, Inventya

Grant funding is an important opportunity for businesses to secure funding to support projects which have a degree of uncertainty and risk.  If successful in your application, you can secure up to 70% of your project costs.  Securing a grant also acts as a valuable independent endorsement of your business.  Winning grants isn’t easy and should not be underestimated.  To maximise your chances of winning, you need to articulate a focussed project which has benefits to your business. It is important to invest sufficient time and expertise to create, effectively a business proposition for the project.

This interactive session will help you to understand the landscape of grant funding and how to maximise your chances of winning.

Jo Derbyshire, Inventya, has spent 20 years working with businesses to secure funds for innovation and is an entrepreneur in her own right.  Jo and her team submit around 200 applications per year, and understand what it takes to win. This session is designed to give you an understanding of the landscape, and give you some insights and tips in how to succeed.

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We look forward to seeing you on the 3^rd April, 11am at the MA Head Offices.

Full catering will be provided and the event is free to attend.