‘Critical’ first step in £1.2 million west of Scotland innovation centre plan

Partners involved in a £1.2m project to create six new innovation centres at colleges across Glasgow and the west of Scotland have met for the first time.

The Innovate UK-funded partnership brings together colleges including City of Glasgow, Glasgow Clyde, Glasgow Kelvin, New College Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and West College Scotland to support the adoption of innovative business practices.

The event, held at City of Glasgow College, involved representatives of all the colleges, as well as potential stakeholders in the public and private sector, as part of the plans to support more than 200 businesses from across Glasgow, Inverclyde, North and South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, and West Dunbartonshire.

Attendees included representatives from Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID), Scotland’s Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre, BE-ST and NMIS , among others.

The 12-month College Local Innovation Centres (CLIC) pilot project aims to help businesses across the region gain access to support and guidance on embedding and embracing innovation.

The hubs will support businesses in several sectors, including health, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, creative and digital, with support ranging from advisory services to hands-on assistance in adopting new technologies, processes and business models.

Stella McManus, principal of South Lanarkshire College, said: “We’re looking for businesses who have a need to develop workforce skills to leverage technology such as automation, artificial intelligence and digital platforms to enhance productivity, streamline processes and improve employee experiences within the sectors represented.

“Central to the success of this programme will be effective engagement with stakeholders,“ she continued. “The innovation centres will be fully integrated into the regional innovation ecosystem and will work with partners and stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to innovation support delivery.

“Our first meeting is a critical first step to ensuring that happens and listening to your views on how CLIC can align with regional priorities and existing support.”

The award of funding is part of a UK-wide push by Innovate UK to promote innovation that will see £7.3m invested in nine projects across 33 colleges.

The Innovation Centres, hosted within each college, will begin supporting businesses later this year.

Don’t miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter – sign up here for free.