Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, has launched the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chains competition, providing grant funding through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to help organisations develop more resilient, productive and sustainable supply chains across the UK manufacturing sector.
The funding supports innovation that strengthens supply chain performance and long term competitiveness, particularly where businesses are adopting new technologies, digital tools and collaborative operating models.
While investment in innovation is critical, the success of grant funded projects ultimately depends on the capability of the people delivering them.
As manufacturing supply chains become more complex and exposed to disruption, organisations must ensure their teams have the skills to implement change, manage risk and embed new ways of working.
Workforce capability is a vital enabler of innovation and a key factor in turning funded projects into lasting operational impact.
Upskilling alongside innovation
As organisations plan bids for the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chains grant, or prepare to deliver funded projects, workforce development should run in parallel with technical delivery.
The Supply Chain Academy delivers supply chain consultancy, professional education, funded programmes, and apprenticeships, including a funded supply chain degree; supporting organisations to upskill their workforce alongside innovation initiatives and build the confidence, capability, and expertise needed to deliver tangible, measurable results. We have previously supported teams from organisations including Alliance Pharma, BAE Systems, Mitsubishi Electric, Thomson Reuters, Sky UK, Uniserve, and XPO Logistics.
“Following the facilitation our forecast accuracy improved by almost 10%. We now have a better understanding of the impact of poor forecasting! As a result, other teams in our global network have seen the difference so have engaged the Supply Chain Academy to support them further. They are a great to partner with and do business with!” Matthew Toms at Alliance Pharma.
For businesses seeking a fast flexible approach to develop more resilient, productive and sustainable supply chains across Supply Chain Academy can support to offer practical, focused learning that can be aligned directly to Innovate UK funded projects, such as:
- Using Using AI tools
- Supply chain fundamentals and best practice
- Planning, forecasting and inventory management
- Supply chain risk and resilience
- Sustainable and responsible supply chains
Explore Supply Chain Academy’s short course offering here.