Productivity Improvement Scholarship
Up to 60% scholarship funding available
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Building Sector Wider Capability
The Future of Manufacturing Foundation has been established to support the long-term success of UK manufacturing.
A core focus is improving productivity by developing people within organisations who can deliver measurable performance improvement.
The Productivity Improvement Scholarship has been created as a practical way to support this. It provides part-funding for individuals working in manufacturing businesses who have the potential to grow and the opportunity to apply what they learn in the workplace.
This is not a general training fund. It is an investment in people who can contribute directly to improving business performance.
Why this exists
The UK has a long-standing productivity challenge, and manufacturing sits at the centre of the solution.
Many organisations are investing in systems, technology and improvement activity. At the same time, they are operating with skills gaps, increasing cost pressure and growing operational complexity. Industry research continues to highlight that access to skills is one of the most significant factors shaping growth, while investment in digitalisation and new technologies is accelerating.
The challenge is not a lack of intent, it is ensuring that investment translates into measurable results.
In practice, this requires people inside organisations who can lead, apply and sustain improvement. Without that capability, development activity does not consistently convert into better performance.
The Productivity Improvement Scholarship has been established to address this directly - supporting individuals who can apply learning, deliver improvement and contribute to stronger outcomes within their organisation and the wider sector.
What the scholarship supports
The Scholarship Programme provides up to 60% support towards programme fees for selected development programmes delivered by the Manufacturers Network at Trafford Park.
All applications are individually assessed, with funding awarded based on need, potential impact and available support.
The programmes are practical, application-led and designed to support real improvement activity within the workplace.
The programmes available under the scholarship are:
Each programme is structured to support the development of capability that can be applied directly within the business.
Who this is for
The scholarship is intended for individuals working within manufacturing organisations who have the potential to grow and contribute more significantly to business performance.
Eligibility and criteria
To be considered for the Productivity Improvement Scholarship:
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The applicant must be employed within a manufacturing organisation and supported by their employer.
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They must have a clear opportunity to apply their learning in the workplace, with the time and space to do so.
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A named internal mentor must be in place to support their development and provide guidance throughout the programme.
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Applications must demonstrate how the programme will support both the individual’s development and the performance of the business. This should include a clear improvement focus or area of responsibility where learning can be applied.
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The Foundation will prioritise applications where there is a strong link between development, application and measurable business benefit.
How applications are assessed
Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The assessment focuses on the strength of the overall case, including the individual, the business context and the opportunity to apply learning.
Successful applications will demonstrate that:
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The individual is in a position to benefit from the development.
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The organisation will support application of learning.
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There is a credible opportunity to deliver improvement.
The objective is to ensure that funding is allocated where it is most likely to result in meaningful outcomes.
How to apply
Applications are designed to be straightforward and focused on impact.
Applicants will be asked to provide:
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An overview of the organisation and current challenges or priorities.
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Information on the individual applying and their current role.
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A short statement outlining how the programme will support their development and contribute to business performance.
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Confirmation of internal mentor support.
Supporting information may be included where relevant.
Key principle
This is not a training subsidy. It is an investment in people who can deliver measurable performance improvement within manufacturing organisations.
Delivery
All programmes are delivered by the Manufacturers Network at Trafford Park. The Manufacturers Network works with manufacturing organisations globally to develop capability in operational excellence, leadership and continuous improvement, with a focus on practical application and measurable results.