After 18 months of planning, a high-tech manufacturing hub will come to the heart of Brighouse in 2024.

Part of the £19.1 million Brighouse Town Deal, funded by UK Government and led by Calderdale Council and the Brighouse Town Deal Board, the Industry 4.0 Hub, where small and medium sized businesses can explore how digital technology can improve their productivity and increase innovation, will launch in 2024.

Around £650,000 of this investment has been allocated to the Industry 4.0 project which is being delivered by Calderdale College who are developing the Hub at The Engineering Centre at Kirkdale House on the Armytage Road Industrial Estate.

The i4.0 Hub will be officially launched in the new year when the high-tech equipment, which will focus on augmented reality, advanced manufacturing and robotics, will be showcased to the town’s businesses and opportunities where they can benefit will be set out.

The centre will have capacity for 70 apprenticeships to be delivered as part of the project, and a range of new short training programmes designed to help employers upskill their current workforce will be offered.

David Malone, principal and chief executive at Calderdale College, said the college was delighted to see the i4.0 Hub reach the final stages of completion, after working with local partners to create a centre that will prepare the future engineering workforce for their career.

“This new innovative facility will transform the way apprentices and employees in this industry train, digitalising our curriculum to open up the wide range of career options,” he said.

David Whitehead, co-chair of the Brighouse Town Deal Board and managing director of Brighouse-based specialist textile finishers H & C Whitehead, said the town has a proud and strong manufacturing heritage.

“So it is exciting to see a key part of the Deal ensuring it has an equally proud and strong future in the town, with a particular focus on the small and growing businesses who are the engine room of our economy.

“By funding training for young people, and providing facilities for growth, sharing skills and collaboration across Brighouse, there will be more opportunities available – I am excited to see the potential it can unlock.”

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for: “This state-of-the-art centre will offer include the latest technology and equipment to support the growth of digital and manufacturing skills, benefiting existing local businesses and individuals through the planned apprenticeship programme."