Small to Medium-sized (SME) manufacturers across England have been given a £6.5m funding boost to help them recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and address key barriers to growth.

The Manufacturing Growth Programme, which is funded by ERDF and delivered by Oxford Innovation Services, has been extended until December 2022 and will give a further 2800 companies access to industry experts and grants to tackle immediate business issues and support improvement plans.

This additional backing will safeguard/create 3500 new jobs and takes the total package of support the initiative is able to deliver to £18.3m across 17 regions, with businesses in Sheffield able to apply for the first time.

Firms are given access to a dedicated local Manufacturing Growth Manager, who will develop an individual action plan as a result of GROWTHmapper – a in-depth business diagnostic tool - and support business improvement projects, ranging from environmental improvements, leadership and management and marketing to people and skills, quality and supply chain development.

For further information, please visit www.manufacturingrowthprogramme.co.uk or follow @mfggrowthp on twitter or Manufacturing Growth Programme on LinkedIn.