Tag: Business

UWE Bristol announce fully funded short courses in partnership with West of England Institute of Technology

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

UWE Bristol, in partnership with the West of England Institute of Technology is delivering four exciting skills development short courses as part of the new fully funded Certificate of Future Technologies.

UWE Bristol will be providing the following courses, fully funded as part of the Certificate of Future Technologies:

  • Fundamentals of Digital Twin (2 days) – starts 23 November 2021
  • Fundamentals of Industry 4.0 (2 days) – starts 7 December 2021
  • Introduction to Robotics (1 day) – starts 10 February 2022
  • Leadership for Sustainability and Social Value (2 days) – starts January 2022 (exact dates TBC)

The new Certificate of Future Technologies is a modular course designed by employers and educational institutions working in partnership to help businesses access high-quality, short, modular, technical training modules to upskill and reskill staff to better address their business needs.

The modular offer is ‘pick and mix’ to meet individual and industry need; and job role. The courses are designed by employers and educational institutions working in partnership to help businesses access high-quality, short, modular, technical training modules to upskill and reskill staff to better address their business needs and embrace the digitisation of the workplace.

The brand-new course will offer a blend of classroom and remote online study, and will vary in length from 50 to 70 hours – giving more adults greater flexibility in how and when they learn, so they can fit it around their lives.

These courses are being delivered in response to the growing demand for Digital Skills in the region and to support those whose progression, development or employment has been affected by the pandemic.

Eligibility criteria

The Certificate of Future Technologies is open to all individuals who meet the following criteria:

  • aged 19+
  • currently in work
  • whose employer is based within the West of England

Find about the Institute of Technology courses

Our Courses

Fundamentals of Digital Twin (2 days)

Starts 23 November

This introductory course will introduce you to the concepts and processes of digital twinning and ways this can benefit your organisation. 

Originating from the aerospace sector, digital twinning is now utilised across a wide range of sectors and industry to help reduce risks, improve business efficiencies, accelerate time to market, support staff, and engage with customers.

A digital twin acts as a digital representation that functions as a shadow (or twin) of a physical object or process and enables an organisation to explore different scenarios outside of their daily operations. Examples of ways digital twinning has been utilised across industries include:

  • remotely monitor and control equipment and systems and monitor system performance
  • implement simulation models to test and predict new processes and layouts and to explore process changes under different what-if scenarios
  • allow partners/customers to experiment with new configurations of your product/service
  • develop and train your workforce through digital work instructions to replace procedure manuals to allow employees to access step-by-step instructions while completing tasks in real time. 

While digital twin technology is utilised in large-scale processes, it also provides an accessible mechanism to make smaller incremental improvements and innovations within your organisation.

Who is this for?

This course is aimed at business leaders; technical leaders and strategic decisionmakers within the organisation interested in learning more around digital twin technology and its business potential.

Fundamentals of Industry 4.0 (2 days)

Starts 7 December  

This course provides an insight into how new technologies are creating the emergence of Industry 4.0. 

Participants will gain an understanding into the technologies and challenges of industry 4.0. in addition, the impact of industry 4.0 on business, security, education, and environment will be explained. 

The key technologies of industry 4.0 such as autonomous robotics, additive manufacturing, Internet of Things, simulation, the cloud, and systems integration will be explained. 

An introduction to the smart factory will also be explained in terms of flexibility and the reconfigurability. In addition, the steps to implement a smart factory will be explained.

Who is this for?

This course is aimed at individuals wanting to improve knowledge in industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing.

Introduction to Robotics (1 day)

Starts 10 February

This practical workshop will allow participants to learn through a hands-on approach to gain an insight into different hardware options and operating systems for industrial robotics. 

Based in our Bristol Robotics Laboratory, will get an overview of the robotics sector, through using three industrial robotic arms, with experience technicians onsite to answer questions and provide demonstrations.

Who is this for?

This course is aimed at individuals wanting to improve knowledge in robotics

And factory floor personnel who might have input into acquisition of robots and automation.

Leadership for Sustainability and Social Value (2 days)

Starts January 2022 (exact dates TBC)

This course is designed to help organisations develop the capability and knowledge needed to create a vision and build sustainability and social value into their strategy. 

Who is this for?

This course is aimed at business leaders and senior managers with business decision making responsibilities 

Find about the Institute of Technology courses and book your place.

UWE Bristol’s contribution to climate action and sustainability

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

As the UK host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), we look at how UWE Bristol are contributing to climate action and sustainability:

With 40,000 students and 3500 employees, we are well aware of our impacts in terms of sustainability and carbon reduction – and well aware of our responsibilities.

We recognised the Climate and Species Extinction Emergencies in 2020, with our board of governors formally signing up to this commitment. Our 2030 UWE Bristol strategy sets out a clear commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030 across key areas. The strategy sets out our commitments across:

  • Carbon neutrality
  • Reducing water and energy use, waste
  • Aim to eliminate single use plastic – signed up to UK Plastics Pact
  • Working towards Clean air and smoke free campuses
  • Looking for year on year reductions in non-sustainable travel
  • Embedding awareness of carbon reduction and sustainability across all of our programmes and prioritising research that addresses these issues

Below is a small snapshot of some of the support we offer businesses and processes we are putting in place to achieve our 2030 carbon neutral goals:

Skills for Clean Growth

Skills for Clean Growth, in partnership with NatWest, will help address the skills needed to deliver the West of England’s net zero ambitions and vision for clean and inclusive growth. It will support SMEs in the region adapt and change as they transition to a low carbon economy, providing the leadership skills needed to build a clean growth strategy; and the knowledge and tools to achieve sustainability.

UWE Bristol and NatWest have shared values around supporting SMEs to achieve net zero, in support of West of England’s ambition to be a driving force for clean and inclusive growth, committing to net zero carbon by 2030.

The scheme, funded by WECA (Workforce for the Future) will address these challenges:

  • Increased demand for green skills – Harnessing the opportunities for innovation and growth
  • Growth in low carbon economy – predicted 11% a year
  • Creation approx. one million jobs nationally
  • Adaption required by high carbon sectors (e.g. building and construction)
  • Mismatch between what is currently provided and what employers need

Innovation support for SMEs

UWE Bristol works in partnership with WECA to identify the growth and regeneration needs of the region, focusing our activity on strategically important sectors such as Clean Growth. 

UWE Bristol has designed, developed, and delivered targeted programmes to support the growth of the region’s strategic priority sectors. We have secured a series of multi-million pound EU funded projects to channel capital grants and business support to SMEs across the region in support of innovation and growth. These have secured £11m for the region, leveraged over £10m of private investment and the university has invested over £3m in these programmes.

Over the past 3 years, UWE Bristol has channelled more than 100 innovation grants – worth £7m and attracting £8m in private sector investment – to fast-growth businesses through our Innovation 4 Growth Programme and other targeted initiatives.  This has secured nearly 1,000 new jobs in the region. The success of this activity is communicated across the local innovation ecosystem and feeds into the design and delivery of our portfolio of future business support programmes including our new Digital Innovation Fund.

Case study:

  • Collecteco works in partnership with UWE Bristol to donate surplus furniture and equipment to good causes and has generated over £363,000 social value and avoided 67 tonnes of CO2 in 2021. They said: “UWE’s support has been invaluable and has ranged from facilitating Scale 4 Growth funding through to them partnering with us to donate surplus furniture and equipment from their estate”

University Enterprise Zone (UEZ)

The University Enterprise Zone(UEZ) based on UWE Bristol’s Frenchay Campus, provides high quality space for 80+ high tech start-up and scaling businesses, employing in excess of 300 people, with access to a robust and vibrant investment community. It is on target to generate 500 jobs, and more than £50m for the local economy. These businesses are supported through targeted innovation support and growth advice.  Focus/gateway is on digital, HealthTech, bioscience and low carbon SMEs.

Case Study:

  • Inheriting Earth (in Future Space) is a sustainable product design company set up by Adam Root, with the mission to stop the flow of new plastic entering our water, trapping plastics shed by clothes in washing machines. They successfully grew their business, attracted investment and recently outgrew Future Space and moved on into their own premises. Read more about Inheriting Earth.
  • Albotherm is another Future Space business and they are focusing on developing technology that provides a solution to address climate change. Albotherm was founded by a team of scientists turned entrepreneurs in 2020 with a vision to bring our planet one step closer to carbon neutral and ensure future food security with their passive cooling technology. They have developed coatings for glass that respond to light and heat and control thermal gain, which reduce the need for air con.

Student Accommodation

We are developing a 2,200 bed student accommodation complex on Frenchay campus, which will be built to Passivhaus standards, the biggest development in Europe built to this exacting energy efficiency standard. The accommodation will have Air-tight fabric combined with air-heat pumps and solar panels. The accommodation will have high air quality and, low running costs, and will also be affordable.

Our Students

We aim to embed understanding of sustainability and carbon literacy across all of our programmes not just the many which are more obviously of direct relevant to the built environment, like environmental management and engineering.  Professor Jim Longhurst, Assistant Vice Chancellor Environment and Sustainability, commented “They are probably ahead of us any anyway, but if we can embed this understanding in all our students they will be committed ambassadors for the next 40,50, 60 years. They are the future – but the future is coming faster than we might like”.

Find out more about Sustainability at UWE Bristol

UWE Bristol announce Inclusive Digital Skills bootcamps

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

UWE Bristol, in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), is delivering a series of fully funded ‘Inclusive Digital Bootcamps. These courses are being delivered in response to the growing demand for Digital Skills in the region and to support those whose progression, development or employment has been affected by the pandemic.

UWE Bristol are delivering three different bootcamps to develop medium-to-high level Digital Skills in the region. These targeted bootcamps will deliver both digital/specialist skills and the interpersonal soft skills that employers expressly need.

These bootcamps will be delivered over a period of 12-16 weeks. Throughout their learning, participants will have 1:1 mentoring support and will link with relevant industry to work on and understand real-life digital projects and showcase their skills to potential employers.

Each of the bootcamps will finish with a two-week preparation for employment module, where learners will be provided with a wide range of in-person and online support tools focused on entry into medium/higher level employment opportunities.

The Bootcamps

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Bootcamps

Starts 8 November

Equipping learners with skills needed to be at the forefront of emerging technologies across different industrial sectors.

  • Mathematics and computer programming
  • Data science fundamentals
  • Software development
  • Machine Learning & AI approaches

Data Bootcamp: Cloud-based skills

Starts 29 November  

Developing learners’ cloud-based skills & creating Microsoft Power experts that will be an asset to any forward-thinking organisation.

  • Master Microsoft cloud-based apps
  • Understand and use Microsoft Power Platforms
  • Access the Microsoft Learn programme

UX Design Bootcamp

Starts 15November

Know what makes a good user experience and understand responsive design for smart-phones, robots and more.

  • Learn advanced aspects of UX design for digital platforms
  • Responsive design for smart phones and robots
  • Specialised support to access ‘Disability Confident’ employment
  • Understand UX design trends for a range of platforms

The bootcamps are primarily aimed at:

  • 19-25 year olds
  • Female learners
  • Those living with health conditions or impairments

Anyone can still apply to take part, but priority access is given to those who meet one (or more) of the above criteria.

These bootcamps are fully funded for adults and are designed to be manageable alongside existing employment.

Find out more and register your place.

UWE Bristol announces final funding round of the Digital Innovation Fund

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) has opened its final round of the Digital Innovation Fund (DIF).  The scheme offers eligible businesses grants of £10,000 to £40,000 to undertake digital innovation.

The scheme has already supported 34 companies across the West of England and is offering businesses a final chance to apply for funding before the programme closes. Eligible businesses will be offered one to one support to develop their projects and application forms.

The scheme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund, offers small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in, Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire grants from £10,000 to £40,000 to fund up to 35% of project costs. Projects must be completed by December 2022.

The deadline for applications is 12.00 (midday) on 16 November 2021

Apply now

Director of Research, Business and Innovation at UWE Bristol, Tracey John commented: “We want to fund strong innovation projects from dynamic businesses that are creating jobs in the region. This is a great time to support R&D activities that boost growth and competitiveness.  We actively support SMEs that are delivering digital innovation or research and development projects.  We provide one to one support for eligible businesses to help them through the application process. We are proud to support businesses in the West of England.”

Notes to editors

European Regional Development Fund:

The project will receive up to £1,900,000 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 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, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information visit here.

West of England region: All organisations with a presence in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership Case Study: Craven Dunnill Jackfield

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) scheme is a UK-wide programme helping businesses to improve competitiveness and productivity. A recent graduate is placed within an organisation to help solve a business problem, with access to our academic expertise.

The below case study is from our KTP with Craven Dunnill Jackfield:

About Craven Dunnill Jackfield

Craven Dunnill & Co Ltd is a historic business, founded in 1872. It has been producing ceramic wall and floor tiles for 150 years and is the oldest surviving purpose-built tile factory in the world. It is part of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage site at the heart of Britain’s Industrial Revolution

The challenge the KTP was set up to address

Each individual project requires the application of ceramic modelling skills to create new working models and moulds for the restoration of architectural features and to interpret the complex three-dimensional shape of the item beneath the glaze layers of an original sample.

This is a highly skilled art, and ceramic modellers with this ability are few in number and expensive to employ. Across the industry modellers with the necessary hand skills are reaching retirement age and are difficult to replace which will significantly impact the future sustainability of the sector. The situation is a major bottleneck in the production process and limits the ability of the company to expand this part of the business.

The application of 3D technologies, specifically 3D scanning to derive the surface shape of the original ceramic pieces and 3D CAD to recreate the aesthetic of the original work, combined the CNC milling can be used to produce master models and moulds for the reproductions.

Why was a KTP the right mechanism to achieve this?

The KTP allowed us to test machinery and processes at the University in a way that would have been time consuming and expensive to achieve without the partnership. The CFPR’s knowledge of both ceramics and digital manufacturing technology were a perfect fit for Craven Dunnill’s needs. There are limited organisations with the knowledge of both subjects. Years of research from university staff fed into the project and allowed us to address the problems which arose when combining the traditional hand craft process with digital technology.

How did the KTP meet the need (the activities / solution)?

By utilising the expertise offered from the University, new technology was brought in to improve lead times and open new areas of business, specifically in 3D scanning. The development budget provided opportunities for learning new skills which were applied to the project.

Outcome – Impacts & Benefits

What changed as a result of the KTP?

Craven Dunnill invested in a CNC milling machine and a 3D scanner, both of which were required to embed digital design into their traditional mould making process. Moulds, tiles and artworks can be 3D scanned and manipu- lated to produce new block moulds, the block can be directly plaster cast from, saving time and cost.

As well as being utilised for mould making, CAD now plays a role in the initial contact with customers. Vector drawings and 3D models are used to visualise end products, before we commit to producing physical models.

Layouts for wall and floor tile are designed within Rhinoceros3D. This allows for tiles to be automatically counted and layout issues to be resolved before committing resources to a project.

Broad benefits and impacts for all partners, (including economic, environ- mental and/or social perspective)

For CDJ:

Having the 3D capabilities in house has opened up the possibilities of additional revenue streams. Many projects can now be completed in house.

For UWE Bristol:

The Centre for Fine Print Research has a strategic objective and a long history of collab- orating with industry that constitutes around a third of its research.

The success of the KTP with Craven Dunnill Jackfield will add to the Centre’s reputation for combining traditional methods with modern digital technologies both in academia and commercially.

The project validates this research and highlights the value of this method.

The initial concept used was based on an Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) project conducted in the early 2000’s and the development of these ideas into a successful industrial outcome is likely to generate further research questions for investigation.

It demonstrates how embedding digital technologies into traditional processes can generate benefits for both of the partners.

For the KTP associate

As the KTP associate, I am very pleased with how the project concluded. KTP has opened doors for me and given me the opportunity to develop as a project manager. I have attended multiple courses and conferences over the project, developing both my key skillset (CAD/3D Design) and other elements which will improve my efficiency at work such as Finance/ management/business.

Quantifiable benefits (the numbers bit!)

  • Improved product development time by 72% (From 2 weeks of model making, down to 4 days)
  • Reduced development costs on specific projects by up to 79% (Based on price of model board compared to traditional block and casing)

What the partners are saying?

“Through a challenging time for businesses, the KTP programme has been a true shining light, surpassing our expectations as a Company. It is critical for a 150yr old Company like ours to stay dynamic and explore ways in which new technologies can support and compliment traditional craftmanship. The KTP has brilliantly highlighted the way in which business and academia can come together to develop new capabilities and embed them into our operations. ”

Simon Howells, Managing Director, Craven Dunnill Group

“The Craven Dunnill Jackfield, CFPR/UWE KTP project shows that a committed Company and Academic team combined with an excellent, dedicated Associate can overcome the difficulties and adversities of operating during a pandemic to drive through to success. The project has been very successful and has exceeded the expectations of both partners.“

David Huson Senior Research Fellow, UWE Bristol

“The KTP program has been the most exciting part of my working life to date. It has given me the opportunity to develop my skills and interests within 3D design and technology, whilst allowing me the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge developed during my degree. “

Jed Leonard-Hammerman, 3D Technologies Specialist Craven Dunnill Jackfield

“This project could not have been done without the unusually wide skill set of the Associate who was equally at home in the application of complex digital technology and the practical traditional skills required to manufacture three dimensional tiles together with the support of his academic and company supervisors”

Russ Bromley Knowledge Transfer Adviser

UWE Bristol to deliver Help to Grow: Management courses for SMEs

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

UWE Bristol has announced the expansion of their delivery of the Small Business Charter accredited government-backed Help to Grow: Management programme, which includes 50 hours of in-depth training, 1:1 business mentoring, and the opportunity to grow your business, fast.

Aimed at senior leaders in small and medium businesses, the course covers strategies for growth and innovation, leading high-performance teams and digital adoption, as well as financial management and responsible business practices. You will hear from inspirational business leaders and learn alongside local peers, with access to a national alumni network.

By the end of the programme, you will develop a tailored business growth plan to increase productivity and grow your revenue and help take your business to the next level. 

The 12-week programme costs just £750 and is 90% subsidised by the government. You can take part around your existing work commitments and access learning through a blend of online and face-to-face sessions.   

Small Business Minister Paul Scully said:

“Seizing opportunity is what being a business leader is all about, and our Help to Grow Management Scheme gives entrepreneurs the chance to access the very best advice on how to innovate, reach new customers and boost profits.

“The practical training scheme is 90% funded by the government and designed around busy business owners’ schedules, so I would encourage entrepreneurs across the UK to get involved and maximise the potential of their business.”

UWE Bristol Programme Director Dan Knox commented:

“The Help to Grow Management Programme represents an excellent opportunity for SMEs to obtain support to grow, to identify new opportunities and to overcome business challenges.  We at UWE Bristol are delighted to be able to offer the programme across the south-west of England and to reach into the communities in which our regional SMEs operate. We are committed to working with businesses and communities to drive innovation, contribute to sustainable economic growth and to maximise the positive impacts of businesses in our region”.

UWE Bristol is running courses across the South West until March 2022 with more dates to follow. Find out more about the courses available and book your place.

UWE Bristol awarded ICA Mentorship Scheme by the National Institute for Health Research

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

UWE Bristol has been awarded the opportunity to deliver the ICA Mentorship Scheme from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The ICA Mentorship Scheme offers individuals holding doctoral or post-doctoral ICA awards the opportunity for free one-to-one clinical academic career mentorship by an appropriate mentor.

The scheme is positively received and recognised as providing a crucial layer of support to aspirant clinical academic awardees. As a result, and following agreements between HEE, NIHR and Versus Arthritis (a merger of Arthritis Care and Arthritis Research UK) mentorship through the scheme is also available to approved NIHR Fellowship awardees and nominated Versus Arthritis fellows.

UWE Bristol is in a unique position to be able to offer the ICA mentorship scheme through the combination of the UWE Bristol Business School (BBS), which offers accredited training in ‘Coaching and Mentorship’, and the multidisciplinary team of clinical academics that are hosted by the Centre for Health and Clinical Research (CHCR). The partnership across faculties within the university will provide an excellent opportunity to enhance and develop the existing ICA mentorship scheme.

The award commences 01 November 2021 and runs to October 2023, with the possibility to extend.

Fiona Cramp, Director of the Centre for Health & Clinical Research and Professor in Long Term Conditions, commented:

“We are delighted that UWE Bristol has been selected to deliver the mentorship programme for the ICA awardees; mentoring is an incredibly valuable aspect of the individual’s journey and will optimise their development during and after the funding period.  We look forward to bringing together a cadre of clinical academic mentors from throughout the UK to work with us in delivering this exciting programme.”

Lynda Williams, Associate Director Stakeholder Engagement Bristol Business School and Bristol Law School, commented

“The Business School is delighted to work with our colleagues from CHCR in delivering the mentorship programme for the ICA awardees. We feel that our individual areas of expertise will complement each other well to provide an excellent partnership and learning opportunity for ICA awardees.”

Find out more about the scheme.

Information from the partners:

Health Education England (HEE) was established on 28 June 2012, working as a shadow Special Health Authority from 1 October 2012. It took on its full operational responsibilities from1 April 2013. It has five national functions:

  • providing national leadership on planning and developing the healthcare and public health workforce;
  • promoting high quality education and training that is responsive to the changing needs of patients and local communities, including responsibility for ensuring the effective delivery of important national functions such as medical trainee recruitment;
  • ensuring security of supply of the health and public health workforce;
  • appointing and supporting the development of LETBs; and
  • allocating and accounting for NHS education and training resources and the outcomes achieved.

For more information on HEE visit our website or follow us on Twitter– or Facebook.

The mission of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:

  • Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
  • Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
  • Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
  • Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
  • Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
  • Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.

NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.

Digital Skills short courses and bootcamps

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

In our fast-evolving digital world, digital skills are vital. For businesses and individuals alike, a strong set of digital skills can help to navigate through the constantly changing digital environment.

At UWE Bristol, we want to support individuals and businesses on their digital journey. We have a range of skills short courses to suit a wide variety of needs including cyber security, data science and artificial intelligence; and games development.

Some of our skills courses are fully funded or have discounts available to those eligible. Find out about how we can support your business or individual needs below.

The future is digital. The future is now.

Commercial Games Development

This bootcamp introduces games development and how to create immersive, entertainment experiences in context of what makes game products engaging and commercially successful. The first half of the course is designed to build professional skills and software competency. The second half specialises in the development of a “vertical slice” game demo for prospective employers from commercial studios as a portfolio piece, or to form the basis of a portfolio ahead of self-employment. There is also the opportunity to learn about the application of games technology for commercial purposes other than those solely for entertainment.

This 16-week programme will provide you with an overview of how games are developed, towards a goal of polished, engaging entertainment products across a range of sectors. Central to your experience will be training in Unity; a game engine and real-time development platform with many applications both inside and outside the entertainment industry.

Find out more here.

Games Technology

The industrial application of games technology bootcamp has been developed through collaboration between senior academics with professional games industry experience and a rich array of serious games, immersive learning and visualisation/simulation projects behind them, in conjunction with small and medium Bristol-based game companies and start-ups and the Foundry Technology Affinity Space at UWE Bristol.

This bootcamp introduces games development and how games technology can be used to create engaging, immersive, games and non-game experiences for industry and the workplace.

Find out more here.

Cyber Security Bootcamp

Technology is transforming society; from how we do business to how we socialise, travel and communicate and we are increasingly dependent on the computer systems that drive these processes. This dependency means that we’re vulnerable to cyber-attacks; our personal data can be stolen, and our national institutions, critical infrastructure and the technology that drives our society can be compromised.

The Cyber Security sector is growing, and demand for Cyber Security specialists is growing exponentially across all sectors of the economy including public and private enterprises, both large and small, and critical national infrastructure, such as energy, transport, water and finance.

Find out more.

Zero Carbon Bootcamp

More information to follow. Please complete this short form to be the first to hear about this course.

Data Science & AI

  • Full details to follow
  • Closed cohort of women
  • Cohort aimed at 19-25 year olds but open to all
  • Will learn mathematics and computer programming, data science, software development, machine learning & AI approaches
  • Funded by the West of England Combined Authority

Apply via the website, or directly via the ROI form.

UX Design

  • Full details to follow
  • Closed cohort for those living with health conditions or impairments
  • Learn advanced aspects of UX design for digital platforms, responsive design for smart phones and robots, access ‘Disability confident’ employment and understand UX design trends
  • Funded by the West of England Combined Authority

Apply via the website, or directly via the ROI form.

Cloud-based Skills

  • Full details to follow
  • Delivered by Weston College in Partnership with Microsoft Learn
  • Cohort aimed at 19-25 year olds but open to all
  • Master Microsoft cloud-based apps
  • Understand and use Microsoft Power Platforms
  • Funded by the West of England Combined Authority

Apply via the website, or directly via the ROI form.

Research, Business and Innovation Director Tracey John named Higher Education Hero from University Alliance

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

Director of Research, Business and Innovation (RBI) at UWE Bristol, Tracey John, has been named a ‘HE Leaders & Heroes’ from the University Alliance as part of their Inspiring Women of the Alliance, as part of their International Women’s Day celebrations.

University Alliance (UA) is the voice of professional and technical universities. They represent large to mid-sized universities working at the heart of their communities. Alliance Universities partner with industry and the professions to deliver the workforce of today and tomorrow through practical, skills-based learning and applied research.

For International Womens Day on Monday 8 March, they celebrated the Inspirational women of the Alliance – those women working in their member universities who have been nominated by their peers and colleagues for their inspirational leadership, outstanding contribution to their field, and work championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Tracey was nominated HE leaders and heroes category and was put forward for her energy, clarity and vision. The category represents the amazing women who are leading the way in Higher Education, forging a path and inspiring students and colleagues with their drive, passion and commitment to the sector.

Find out more here.  

UWE Bristol signs open letter calling for clarity and transparency on the future UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

UWE Bristol, as part of the University Alliance (UA), has signed an open letter, alongside over 70 organisations from across the UK, calling for clarity and transparency on the future UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to avoid vital support disappearing when existing programmes end in 2023.

EU Structural Funds have been a key enabler of collaboration between universities and business, used to support and develop communities and regions; whether through programmes that have increased employment and skills, or through initiatives to drive forward research, innovation and enterprise.

Director of Research, Business and Innovation at UWE Bristol Tracey John said:

EU Structural Funds play a vital role in helping us achieve our ambitious goals for helping businesses within the region.

As a university we have won £13m of EU Structural Funds since 2017, allowing us to leverage £14m of company investment in research and innovation. This in turn has enabled us to help countless SMEs within the region, creating hundreds of new jobs, products and services.

One of the beneficiaries of our funding is 299 Lighting. Talking at an event for companies who have been awarded grants from UWE Bristol, they explained “the funding allowed us to expand our business to the next level… setting up our own manufacturing in Bristol and grow our team and own the product range”. Talking at the same event, The Real Olive Company explained that funding “brought everything into focus and helped us push forward with projects and ideas.”

Without a timely replacement of the funds, we are putting at risk many of the projects and schemes that we run for businesses in the region, which will have a direct impact on the region’s economy, particularly during such times of economic uncertainty.”

University Alliance Chief Executive Vanessa Wilson said:

“EU structural funds have been a vital mechanism for universities to support businesses and communities – especially throughout the pandemic. Details of their replacement, the UKSPF, have been promised but not delivered, and time is running out as we approach the end of the Brexit transition period.

“University and business leaders want to work constructively and proactively with the Government now to address the current economic challenges and reduce inequalities between regions. Given the uncertainty ahead, it has never been more important to deliver the UKSPF, which will be a vehicle for the much-needed long-term planning and investment needed to level-up the nation.”

UWE Bristol is committed to supporting economic development in the region and full supports the need for clarity around these funds.

Follow this link to read the open letter from UA.

Follow this link to find out more about our funds.

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