Are you a student or recent graduate seeking real business experience to supplement your skills and experience?

KEY DATES

April 2026:
2026 Programme open for expressions of interest

April 2026:
Requirements from companies become available.

May 2026 – August 2026
Internships start

Application process

Stage 1
Interested parties should first register their interest in completing a Made Smarter East of England Digital Internship

Stage 2
Apply for / be matched to individual roles

Stage 3
Telephone interview with the Digital Internships Coordinator

Stage 4
Interview process with host companies

As a digital technology intern, you’ll be working on an exciting live project integrating new technologies into a manufacturing or engineering business. Projects range from working on robotics, to logistics software and data analysis, there are no limits so whatever your digital skill-set, we want to hear from you. This is your chance to make a real difference to a UK manufacture – laying the foundations for your future career.

Made Smarter East of England Digital Internships

Register your Interest

Made Smarter is focussed on helping SME Manufacturers adopt Industrial Digital Technology to boost productivity, competitiveness and economic growth. The Digital Internship programme is open to students and graduates in the East of England who are seeking paid work opportunities of 6-8 weeks during 2026. Internships can either be full time during university holidays or part time to fit around your study.

Internships will be with smaller growing manufacturing businesses across East of England (Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire). All internships will be outcome focused, project-based roles presenting genuine opportunity to apply the skills learnt through study, to find solutions to real world business challenges.

Projects could include:

An evaluation of a business or manufacturing process
An evaluation of a new technology and making recommendations for its adoption
An investigation into the viability of a new product
A review of digital tools available on the market
An analysis of productivity data

The programme is open to students and graduates from all disciplines at either bachelor’s or master’s level. Applications are particularly welcome from Computer Science subjects, Engineering disciplines and Business related degrees. Those studying vocational subjects and any degree involving research and analysis such as History, Economics, Geography, Science disciplines are also welcome to apply.

Internships will be for a minimum of 80 hours and could be up to 250 hours, full time during the summer or holidays, or part time around studies.

All candidates will receive support from the Made Smarter Digital Internships Coordinator to help identify skills and give you the best chance of securing your internships. You will also receive a workplace induction, regular check ins and appraisals ensuring you get the most out of your experience to help with your future employability.

£12.71 per hour.

Contact Laura Fisher on: madesmarter@step.org.uk Tel: 0115 871 8740