The Advancing Innovative Manufacturing in the South of Scotland (AIMS) project is a group of innovation facilities established to support manufacturing small/medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Borders and Dumfries & Galloway.
They can help turn your ideas into reality, inspire your future workforce and stimulate innovation and growth in manufacturing across the South of Scotland.
AIMS is delighted to be working in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Council, Borders Council, Dumfries & Galloway College and Borders College.
Rob Davidson, Depute Leader at Dumfries & Galloway “The AIMS project is a South of Scotland project to support SMEs in South of Scotland with exposure to advanced manufacturing equipment.”
“What is really significant, really important to our manufacturing sector because it gives small and medium manufacturing enterprises access to cutting edge technologies and processes that they might otherwise find really difficult to access.”
“So, I think it presents a huge opportunity for them to really take a step change in what they do, how they do it and also really help to future proof their businesses in what are really challenging and competitive times.”
“Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish borders share a lot of the same challenges. Demographics, distance from large centres of population, challenges with infrastructure and it’s been in my view really effective for us to to to come together and pull our knowledge and resources and both lobby and advocate for our region.”
‘Seize opportunities For growth’
Professor Russel Griggs OBE said “We want our region to be the centre of opportunity, innovation and growth. Working closely with our colleges and apprenticeship providers we will ensure that our workforce is well equipped to use new technologies to seize opportunities for growth.”
“Southern Scotland Enterprise is committing up to £1.5 million to the AIMS project and we look forward to working with our partners to ensure it provides significant benefits to the South of Scotland.”
Joanna Campbell, Principal – Dumfries & Galloway College “It goes without saying that Dumfries and Galloway College is absolutely delighted to be involved in the AIMS project.”
“It links in very well with our strategic priorities. College is at the heart of a skills-led recovery post-pandemic and advanced manufacturing is very much at the heart of what we need to do to craft the skills for the future.”
‘The latest advances in technology’
Angela Cox, Principal – Borders College “This project for me is about capital on the expertise and knowledge across the South of Scotland providing our employers with the opportunities to adapt and innovate their businesses and to be able to upskill their staff locally with the latest advances in technology.”
Drew Easton – Learning & Development Manager – Jas P Wilson “The AIMS project is a great opportunity for the engineering and manufacturing sector in the South of Scotland.
“It puts us on a more level footing with companies at home and abroad that are so much better resourced. I would encourage everybody to get behind the project.”
Alistair Cameron – Managing Director – Scotmas Group “Already as a result of our interaction with AIMS project we’ve been able to bring one new patented technology to the market and been able to create a new job in the local area.”
We expect over the next three years to create three new jobs as a direct result of the innovation that’s been brought forward by the AIMS project.
The AIMS team are ready to undertake your requirements so please contact [email protected] to see how they can help.
