The Centre for Digital Innovation (CDI) invites you to explore the future of manufacturing innovation and skills in Greater Manchester.
Future-Ready Manufacturing in Trafford: Skills, Innovation and Productivity for Manufacturing SMEs
Manufacturing SMEs across Greater Manchester are invited to a fully funded morning event at Imperial War Museum North, bringing together manufacturers, skills partners and innovation support in one place.
This final CDI Roadshow focuses on the real issues facing manufacturers right now, productivity, skills, and how innovation can be applied in practice.
You’ll hear directly from senior leaders including Mark Wood, Social Sustainability Lead GB & I, Siemens, Warran Bolton, Managing Director of Invisu and Sally Moxon, People Director and Senior Leadership Executive. Farrat, sharing insights on the manufacturing landscape, skills challenges and the role innovation is playing in their businesses.
The panel will cover the manufacturing landscape in Trafford, skills and recruitment challenges, and the role innovation is playing in improving productivity and competitiveness.
You’ll also see live demonstrations of digital twinning and additive manufacturing from SCAN Computers andPrint City, showing how these technologies are being used in real manufacturing environments.
Trafford Council will outline a new two-year Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Skills Programme, focused on supporting workforce development and future talent for manufacturers.
The morning finishes with an Innovation Marketplace, giving you the chance to speak directly with organisations offering funded skills, innovation and business support.
Places are limited and we are keen to see a strong mix of manufacturers in the room.
This is a collaborative event hosted by the Centre for Digital Innovation at Manchester Metropolitan University, Trafford and Stockport College Group as part of GM Colleges, and Trafford Council.
Agenda
09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Networking and Refreshments
09:30 AM - 09:40 AM
Introduction to TSCG: Tracey Wood, Chief Commercial Officer, provides an overview of Trafford & Stockport College Group and its role in supporting regional skills development, business growth, and innovation
09:40 AM - 09:55 AM
GM Further Education Innovation Programme: Georgina Mills, Business Innovation Advisor, introduces the Greater Manchester Further Education Innovation Programme
09:55 AM - 10:05 AM
CDI Project Overview: James Crawley introduces the CDI project, outlining how digital innovation can help manufacturers improve productivity and competitiveness
10:05 AM - 10:15 AM
Know Digital Overview: Suhana Pallikkal presents the Know Digital platform and how it helps businesses assess digital maturity and identify practical next steps for digital transformation
10:15 AM - 10:25 AM
Trafford Council: Trafford Council introduces the session that brings together local manufacturers and support organisations to explore the skills and innovation challenges facing the sector, with a focus on practical insight, peer discussion and signposting to available support.
10:25 AM - 11:15 AM
The Manufacturing Landscape and The Role of Innovation: Industry experts Mark Wood, Warran Bolton, and Sally Moxom discuss the current manufacturing landscape, innovation in driving productivity, reducing costs, and improving competitiveness, productivity, SME challenges and opportunities, followed by audience Q&A.
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Digital Twins in Manufacturing: Discover how Digital Twin technology is shaping the future of industry. In this Workshop, Scan Computers explores how virtual replicas of real-world systems can improve design, performance, and decision-making.
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Additive Manufacturing Demonstration: PrintCity (Manchester Metropolitan University) highlights materials, processes, and design considerations, alongside a real industry use case, giving a clear picture of how additive manufacturing supports modern manufacturing and digital skills development.
12:05 PM - 12:30 PM
Closing Keynote: Final reflections on future-ready manufacturing and key takeaways for businesses across Greater Manchester.
12:30 PM - 01:00 PM