The Digital Catalyst Programme

Autodesk is heavily invested in preparing the next generation of professionals to enter the design and manufacturing industry and close the skills gap. To do this we must simplify and accelerate the way in which great students connect with great companies who need to design, make and sell better products, but lack the digital skills to do so. The Digital Catalyst Program aims to address this challenge.

Unlike traditional university placements, Digital Catalysts projects last a maximum of 80 hours and can be delivered flexibly in and around their full-time studies. As part of the project scope you need to agree the volume and frequency of project time that works best. For example, 1 hour per week, a continuous 80 hours or anything in between.

Autodesk wants to enable the industry to do more with less by challenging the traditional ways of problem solving. We believe that given the right type of project, and the use of cloud based, collaborative design & manufacturing tools it is possible for a Digital Catalyst to research, develop and present solutions within that time frame that our customers can then move forwards with. 

Unlike traditional university schemes, Digital Catalyst projects can be done at any time in the year. We believe this shorter-term flexible approach offers our customers a greater value whilst offering the Digital Catalysts an enriched industry experience whilst studying.

One of the goals of the Digital Catalyst program is do drive productivity using digital collaboration tools, so we expect that a reasonable part of the work will likely be done remotely, with visits to your premises only being carried out when necessary for example at the start of the project to “onboard” the catalyst and get them up to speed. What we’d ask is that if your Digital Catalyst does visit your premises, you provide a safe working environment for them, with the appropriate liability cover in place. Working remotely also helps the Catalyst to fit the project in more flexibly around their studies and gives then a level of autonomy.

You must be a UK based design and/or manufacturing business to be eligible and have a current design or manufacturing challenge that you feel can be solved through the application of digital technologies. The challenge must demonstrate the potential to transform the way you design and make your products. For that reason, cad operator or data entry level projects will not be eligible.

The one thing we do expect from both SME and Digital Catalyst is to agree to talk about their experience of working together as a form of case study which Autodesk can share with the wider community. This may range from a simple written statement or a short video testimonial. Any promotional materials created will be done with full involvement and consent of both the SME and Digital Catalyst and will respect any potentially commercially sensitive or confidential aspects of the company or project. 

We strive to identify and match you with Digital Catalysts with the right skills and capabilities, however, if you are not happy with your current placement please reach out to us at digital.catalyst.uki@autodesk.com and we will shortly be in touch.