Innovate UK: Further Education in Innovation conference
Join Innovate UK to explore the role of Further Education Colleges in local innovation landscapes. We will be hearing from our newly established College Innovation Centres and examples of further FE colleges across the country supporting local businesses to innovate. We will also be exploring tools and support available for colleges from Innovate UK and beyond.
Recording now available
Click here to download the slides from the event.
Overview
The event was intended for FE college leaders working in business innovation, or interested in entering this space, and was also open to stakeholders from local innovation ecosystems (such as combined authorities or ERBs).
There is a growing awareness of the role the Further Education sector can play in supporting business innovation and growth. Work by the Gatsby Foundation, Innovation and Research Caucus and The Productivity Institute identified this potential role for FE in local and regional innovation ecosystems, and through the Further Education Innovation Fund Innovate UK has supported 32 colleges across the UK to pilot Innovation Centres.
This event brought together innovation leads from across the FE community, as well as interested stakeholders from local government, the catapults, college representative groups, Innovate UK and beyond.
The event was designed for delegates to share some of the exciting examples of FE innovation taking place across the country, explore support available for colleges entering this space and network with like-minded professionals.
We heard from some of the FEIF funded Innovation Centres as well as wider examples of FE colleges across the country supporting local businesses to innovate. There were also presentations from key stakeholders and an exploration of tools and opportunities available for colleges working in, or entering, this space.