In Spring 2024, Innovate UK launched a new project.  A project that would see five partner colleges across the Black Country come together to drive innovation and efficiencies across businesses within the area.

The five colleges working together alongside Halesowen College are Dudley College, Walsall College, South Staffordshire College and City of Wolverhampton College. Each college has their own speciality, with Halesowen College leading on Digital innovation.

Digital Innovation Consultant Richard Johnson is testament to our commitment in supporting innovation and technical excellence within the local community. Richard is a digital technology expert who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to businesses, in areas such as cyber security, networking, AI, digital marketing, and website development.  

Within this role, Richard will provide free audits, project advice and consultations to local SMEs looking to implement digital projects with a drive to improve efficiency within their companies.  

Businesses that are looking for support in other areas of innovation can be put in contact with other lead consultants across the Innovate UK project that specialise in engineering & manufacturing, robotics and automotive, green and other emerging technologies.

What are you waiting for? If you are interested in a free company digital audit, then click here

What is Innovate UK 

Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency which helps companies to grow through the development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services. It is the key delivery body for the government’s Innovation Strategy.

Innovate UK supports business through a range of interventions, helping them: 

• find the right partners
• access the right expertise and equipment
• with financial loans and grants
• connecting them with investors

These interventions support the development of new approaches, across various technologies, in all sectors and industries. Halesowen College is the lead partner around digital innovation, which includes Cyber Security, E-Commerce and Artificial Intelligence.

The focus of this project is around the capability and talent of people within companies and supporting their development. It is also about providing expert support to help companies overcome challenges and create opportunities for growth, easing access to markets and to the finance they need to grow. 

Innovation talent and skills

Through the Innovate, Halesowen College will help companies develop the capability of their people to grow and scale their businesses more effectively and help them identify skills they will need in the future to adopt and deploy new technologies. 

If you’re interested in learning more about how innovation can benefit your business, contact Richard Johnson to see how your business can benefit from this innovative project or click here to register your interest.

Telephone: 0121 602 7609

Email: richardjohnson@halesowen.ac.uk