Garment decorator TheWorkwear is among companies to benefit from an internship programme to inject digital expertise into how they run their businesses.
Based in Burnley in Lancashire, TheWorkwear improves its digital design, branding and production workflows after bringing in graphic design student Ibrahim Syed Shah from the University of Lancashire.
The internship was delivered through Made Smarter North West, the government-funded programme supporting small and medium-sizes manufacturers to adopt advanced digital technologies.
The initiative enables businesses to test digital workflows in a structured, low-risk way before committing to wider operational change.
Ibrar Syed, director at TheWorkwear, said: “Ibrahim brought fresh creative thinking and practical design skills that added real value to our business. The placement allowed us to explore new ideas and approaches we may not otherwise have considered.”
Ibrahim added: “The placement helped me develop my design skills in a real working environment and understand customer and market needs. I created brand assets the team can continue to use and contributed ideas around the future direction of the brand.”
TheWorkwear specialises in customised workwear, personal protection equipment (PPE), hygiene products and associated consumables, offering personalisation through embroidery and print.
Over the past year, Made Smarter North West’s latest cohort of 18 interns have worked directly on factory floors and in engineering teams, applying a wide range of digital technologies to real production challenges.
These include robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, data and analytics, CNC and CAD-to-CNC workflows, virtual reality and digital twins, system integration and wider workflow digitisation.
Donna Edwards, programme director for Made Smarter North West, said: “These digital internships are delivering exactly what manufacturers need – practical digital skills and fresh thinking – while giving students and graduates paid – hands-on experience on real industrial projects and a direct stepping stone into employment.”
