Training Course on Digital Manufacturing for SMEs

A 2020 study conducted by the APO Center of Excellence (COE) on Smart Manufacturing found that SMEs in most APO members faced challenges in transitioning to Industry 4.0 systems. They are struggling to define the starting point to transform processes from analogue to digital. Although the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation in various industries, SMEs still lack top management support and know-how, while facing market uncertainty, process complexity and incompatibility, and financial constraints. According to the OECD (2020), digital adoption gaps have grown over the last decade, particularly for smaller SMEs with 10‒49 employees.

In collaboration with the China Productivity Center and Japan Productivity Center, a new APO training manual on digital manufacturing is currently being developed. To test its effectiveness and gain feedback for improvement, the manual will be used for this course. It is expected that this new manual will enable APO members to develop trainers and consultants who will guide SMEs in digital transformation.

For more details please click on PN.