Staffordshire-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are being given the opportunity to boost their business through digital innovative technologies and expert support from Staffordshire University.
Last year, Staffordshire University and Staffordshire County Council launched The Staffordshire Deal to improve the region’s economy and upskill the local workforce through embracing digital change.
Now, the partners will deliver the Staffordshire Digital Innovation Partnerships project to drive digital transformation in the region after successfully bidding for £1.24m funding from the European Regional Development Fund (EDRF).
Over a three-year period, 36 fully funded partnerships are available to support Staffordshire SMEs to improve processes and support the development of new to market products and services through the use of innovative digital technologies.
Image: Cllr Philip White, Alun Rogers and Professor Ieuan Ellis
Staffordshire University is leading the project and providing each six-month long partnership with a full-time student or graduate placement, an academic expert dedicating half a day each week and wider specialist support to maximise business opportunities.
Professor Ieuan Ellis, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Partnerships & Region) at Staffordshire University, said:
“In our role as a Civic University we are strongly committed to helping local businesses adapt to technological change, supporting the development of higher-level skills, and improving the health and wellbeing of local people.
“The University has a rich heritage in technology and is ideally placed to drive forward the digital agenda. This project is a fantastic opportunity for academics to share their knowledge to grow and develop the skills of students, to support local businesses and to retain digitally skilled graduates in the region.”
Businesses are also being given the opportunity to help solve a series of different social challenges identified by Staffordshire County Council and each of these partnerships include a £10,000 grant. The first two challenges, which were announced this week, focus on growing community support and raising the aspirations of young people in the region.
This links with the Council’s #DigitalStaffordshire strategy which focuses on enabling citizens to use digital innovations to improve lives and productivity, leading to a healthier, happier and more prosperous county.
The launch took place at Cannock Chase High School which is one of a number of schools embracing digital change and it is already using new technologies to improve learning and attainment. This includes using software to set homework and record feedback, monitor performance and improve health and wellbeing.
Councillor Philip White, Cabinet Member for Learning and Employability at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“We are challenging ourselves to think ‘community and digital first’ in everything we do. We are keen to see new innovations to encourage the growth of social action and support for members of the community, which is key to delivering our long-term vision. This could be around volunteer recruitment, setting-up groups or sharing best practice.”
“We also believe that every child deserves the best possible education, and to leave school or college equipped with the learning, skills and foundations to thrive throughout adulthood. So, we are challenging SMEs to help us achieve this goal by generating an engaging and accessible tool for young people or their parents using digital technology.”
The project is also being supported by the Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Deputy Chair Alun Rogers leads the Smart Staffordshire initiative to drive digital skills in the region and is also heading the LEP’s Local Industrial Strategy. Alun said:
“We currently have relatively low levels of business innovation in the region and this new project is a great way to drive digital transformation. This is an exciting opportunity for start-ups and established SMEs to access expert support, boost their digital skills and grow their businesses.”
Applications are now open for the Staffordshire Digital Innovation Partnerships. Businesses can find out more about the project and details of how to apply at www.staffs.ac.uk/sdips.
*The Staffordshire Digital Innovation Partnership project is receiving up to £1.24m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for the European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, job creation and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.