Tag: Skills

Something new is starting at UWE Bristol: the Enterprise Engine 

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

People in image:

  • Top row L – R: Mahmoda Ali, Enterprise Team Manger; Mark Corderoy, Enterprise and Incubation Manager; Leanne Newton, Enterprise and Incubation Mangager; Nick Powell, Enterprise Programmes Manager.
  • Bottom row L – R: Daniel Nyambutora, Student Enterprise Co-ordinator; Nhi Ho, Student Enterprise Co-ordinator; Jo Portis, Enterprise and Incubation Co-ordinator

Guest blog post: Mahmoda Ali, Enterprise Team Manager

Over the past year, I’ve spent a lot of time talking to founders, students, academics, colleagues and partners about entrepreneurship at UWE Bristol and across the West of England. 

One thing has come through strongly: there is no shortage of ideas or ambition here. 

What often makes the difference is what surrounds those ideas- the people you meet, the expertise you can access, the confidence to take the next step and, sometimes, simply knowing where to start. 

That thinking has shaped something we’re really excited to launch this September: the UWE Bristol Enterprise Engine. 

The Enterprise Engine brings together our support for students, graduates, staff, researchers and regional founders. However, it’s more than putting existing activity under one roof. Instead of a single programme with a fixed starting point, we’re creating different ways into enterprise depending on where you are and what you need. Whether you’re exploring entrepreneurship for the first time, developing an idea, commercialising research or already building a venture, the aim is to help you find the right support, connections and next step, and stay connected to the wider ecosystem as you progress. 

But for me, the most exciting part isn’t simply bringing our support together. 

It’s what we can build around it. 

The West of England is full of entrepreneurial talent, research, creativity and innovation. UWE is part of that ecosystem, and we want to play an even bigger role in connecting its different parts. 

That means opening up more opportunities for people inside and outside the University to meet, share expertise, test ideas and build relationships. It means helping promising ideas find their next connection. And it means creating an enterprise community that people want to stay part of as they progress. 

Because the best ecosystems keep giving back. 

Students become founders. Researchers turn ideas into ventures. Founders become mentors, advisers and investors. Experience and connections flow back to the people just starting out. 

That’s the kind of community we want the Enterprise Engine to help grow. 

And this is just the beginning. 

Over the coming months, we’ll be opening up new ways to get involved through our events, programmes and growing community. 

Whether you have an idea, experience to share, connections to make or are simply curious about what’s happening, we’d love you to be part of it. 

We will share more details in time, but get in touch to find out more: Enterprise@uwe.ac.uk

Skills that empower: How mentorship and strategy fuelled a leadership journey

Author bethjohnson | Posted on

Nicola Reeves is the Managing Director of Happy Hour Productions, a Bristol-based TV and video advertising agency that blends strategy, creativity and production under one roof. In 2023, she enrolled on the Help to Grow: Management Course at UWE Bristol, seeking to sharpen her leadership skills and steer her agency’s next chapter with confidence.

Olly Reid is a business coach, adviser and mentor, and Co-Founder of HUM4NS – an award-winning professional development organisation based in Bristol. A UWE Bristol alum, Olly completed his BA, MA and PGCE at the university, and is now an Equity Coach on the UWE Equity programme, where he delivers the session ‘Success Starts with You’.

We caught up with Nicola to explore how the Help to Grow: Management course helped shape her journey, and how a powerful mentoring partnership with Olly Reid, forged during the programme, fuels her growth today – and continues to add value to both of their businesses.

Nicola, please could you tell us a bit about yourself, your career journey, and what made you apply to join the Help to Grow: Management Course at UWE Bristol?

I studied English at the University of Bristol and whilst I was there, some of the big advertising agencies came to present their graduate recruitment programmes – I saw M&C Saatchi and thought yep, I want to work for an ad agency in client services!

From there, I got my first job at McCann – one of the big global agencies – and worked across brands like Cathay Pacific, SimplyHealth, Badger Ales and Unilever. I worked my way up for around seven years before going travelling and working at smaller independent agencies, including a great agency in Sydney too.

During my time at McCann, I’d met the Happy Hour team many times on TV production shoots and knew what a great bunch they were, especially Tom George, the founder and owner. So when I was approached by Tom to join Happy Hour as Client Services Director on their TV and video clients, I was excited for the new challenge of working in both advertising and production.

I’ve now been there for 13 years and took over the mantle of Managing Director in 2023. So, in that new role with newfound freedom to plan the strategic development of the business, I felt that the Help to Grow: Management Course would give me the support and new network that I’d need.

How was your time on the Help to Grow: Management Course?

It did just that! It was a great grounding in all the fundamentals of running a business – some of which you know you have nailed, and some you realise quite quickly that you don’t!

It gave me dedicated time to work on the business, instead of just in it. The course was also perfect for meeting great individuals from different businesses and sectors – the group coaching and support that comes from an outside perspective is invaluable.

Olly, could you tell us a bit about yourself and your career journey – from studying at UWE Bristol to co-founding your company, and becoming a mentor on the Help to Grow programme?

My early career was in hospitality leadership and management, but in 2008 I arrived at UWE Bristol as a mature student to train as a teacher and completed a degree in Education Studies. That experience was genuinely life-changing. During my time there, I was elected Vice President for Education at the Students’ Union – two incredible years that taught me a huge amount about people, leadership, and the power of purpose. After my term finished, I returned to complete my PGCE and later a Masters in Integrated Professional Development.

I’ve always been fascinated by how people learn, grow, and perform – that curiosity has really shaped everything I’ve done since.

After teaching, I began blending my experience in leadership, management, and education – first with The Prince’s Trust, then with the social enterprise Entrepreneurial Spark, before moving into the corporate world and leading the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator across the Midlands, South West, and Wales . Working with leaders and business owners,  I truly saw the power of mindset and culture in driving business success.

That passion led me deeper into coaching and leadership development. I went on to complete an ILM Level 7 in Executive Coaching and Mentoring and, over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of coaching hundreds of leaders and business owners – from CEOs to founders – helping them strengthen their mindset, performance, and resilience.

In 2021, I co-founded HUM4NS, a personal and professional development company on a mission to help people and teams become happier, healthier, smarter, and kinder. We deliver programmes like HELP (the Empowered Leadership Programme), coaching for senior leaders, and team development experiences that build better humans, not just better businesses.

Alongside this, I’m Trustee at the Marmalade Trust and a proud mentor on the Help to Grow: Management programme, supporting SMEs across the UK to scale sustainably and lead with confidence. Watching leaders reconnect with their purpose and potential is what keeps me inspired every single day.

How did you find the mentoring aspect of the course, and how has your mentoring partnership continued since the course finished?

Nicola: I’d say the mentoring aspect of the course was the thing that makes it so valuable – you need that person to hold you accountable for putting into practice what you’ve learnt. Your mentor also gives you the personal, mental and emotional support you need as a leader.

There’s a reason they say it’s lonely at the top and having a mentor is such a good sounding board – if you get the right one!

I was lucky enough to find Olly who has stayed on as my mentor and coach since I finished the course over two years ago. We have regular 121 sessions and I’m also now on the 12-month HUM4NS Empowered Leadership programme (HELP) run by Olly.

Olly: Great mentoring is a two-way relationship. It only works when both sides show up. The best outcomes happen when there’s the right match: a mentor who listens, challenges and supports, and a mentee who’s open, curious and ready to put things into practice. That’s exactly what Nicola brought to the table. For me, the mentoring element of Help to Grow is where the learning becomes real leadership – it’s the bridge between knowing what to do and actually putting it into action. I joined Help to Grow to give back, but mentoring Nicola has turned into an unexpected long term partnership that has added value to both our businesses.

What have you been up to since?

Nicola: We’ve been busy at Happy Hour since Help to Grow!

We’ve refined our positioning, and overhauled the look and feel of our brand, including launching a new website, alongside fully integrating HubSpot to manage our pipeline.

We launched our own podcast – Happy Half Hour – where we chat to guests from production, advertising and media in our own purpose-build podcast studio. We’ve also launched ‘TV Essentials’, which is a lower cost entry point for first-time TV advertisers.

In the team, we’ve had a handful of new hires, as well as celebrating two 10-year anniversaries. We’ve made it to the number one spot in Campaign magazine’s Top Regional Agencies (and number 27 in the UK’s Top 100). We’ve also recently picked up a Cannes Dolphin for our work on Arsenal’s No More Red Campaign, a film promoting their work to reduce youth knife crime in London – something we’re incredibly proud of.

As for the future, perhaps another acquisition, and bringing a non-exec director on board to help focus our growth plans. Let’s see where the future takes us!

Olly: I’ve gone on to win two Help to Grow Mentoring Matters Awards, one for Innovation and the other for the Most Inspirational Mentor, alongside an Entreconf Award and being finalists at the National Start Up Awards, Great British Entrepreneur Awards and Bristol Life Awards.

HUM4NS has launched new programmes, expanded from Bristol, to Wales to Australia, and I’m continuing to support the Happy Hour team through coaching, workshops and SLT days.

Explore the Help to Grow: Management Course at UWE Bristol.

Skills that empower – From Self-Doubt to Distinction: My MBA Senior Leader Apprenticeship Journey

Author bethjohnson | Posted on

In this blog, Simon Flenley – Assistant Director of Research & External Engagement (Skills) at UWE Bristol – shares a unique perspective on apprenticeships, shaped by his dual experience. With years of strategic involvement in the skills landscape, Simon recently completed his own Level 7 apprenticeship, offering valuable insights from both sides of the journey.

In April 2023, I made the decision to enrol on the Senior Leader Level 7 apprenticeship through the University of Exeter. Having worked in the skills and vocational learning sector for several years, I had first-hand experience of how transformative these programmes – especially apprenticeships – can be.

It’s fair to say that after many internal ‘should I/shouldn’t I’ debates, I wasn’t entirely confident in my choice. My job is demanding, and as a parent to a six-year-old daughter, I questioned whether embarking on this journey was a form of self-punishment or a huge opportunity. After carefully scanning the module list and noting that the dreaded finance module came much later in the programme, I took the plunge.

As expected, imposter syndrome quickly reared its unhelpful head. Did I really belong in this cohort? What made me think I had the ability to succeed? Even if I did okay, wouldn’t that be luck rather than judgement? I hadn’t studied at university – or anywhere else for that matter – for over 20 years. How could I possibly cope?

Despite some early bafflement, I took a deep breath and settled into the learning – home office desk appropriately stocked with snacks.

What bolstered my decision to take the academic plunge was my career development. After all, apprenticeships are work-based learning programmes designed to equip us with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to grow and (hopefully) excel in the workplace. I’ve been a senior leader in education for some time – a sector that thrives on innovation, efficiency, with a need for pace in the face of complex external factors. I saw it as a genuine opportunity to grow and improve.

Fast forward to August 2025, and I passed both the apprenticeship and the MBA top-up with Distinction – a result I’m incredibly proud to share. Yes, my old friend Imposter Syndrome still pops up now and then to diminish the achievement, but for now, I’m learning to sit with it and own it. And it has certainly cemented my view that apprenticeships – at all ages and levels – are a critical part of our education and skills ecosystems in the UK.

Has this apprenticeship made me a more thoughtful leader? Am I more strategic? Have I improved? You’d have to ask the brilliant people I work with every day – but I’d like to think so. And I’d also like to think that one day, my daughter will see how hard work, even in the face of self-doubt, can truly pay off.

Skills that empower – the Skills Pathway Programme: building a greener future through retrofit and sustainability

Author bethjohnson | Posted on

Empowering regional talent through flexible learning

At UWE Bristol, we believe that real change begins with people – those who are ready to learn, grow, and lead. The Skills Pathway Programme was created to do just that: to equip professionals across the West of England with the tools and confidence to shape a more sustainable future. 

Supporting employees from SMEs across Construction & Built Environment, Legal Services, and Engineering & Manufacturing, the programme offered four flexible pathways: Collaborative Working, Digital & Intelligent Technologies, Leadership, and Sustainability. Each pathway combined modular e-learning with live workshops, supported by optional mentoring and a dedicated Learner Engagement Lead who ensured personalised guidance throughout.

With a strong focus on inclusion, we welcomed participants from underrepresented groups, especially women and individuals from global majority backgrounds in technical sectors. Nearly 100 professionals took part, gaining access to UWE’s facilities and expert support from academics and industry partners.

The Sustainability Pathway – particularly its retrofit modules – saw the greatest uptake, reflecting growing demand for practical skills aligned with the region’s sustainability goals. Notably, 82% of participants came from construction, manufacturing, and engineering, highlighting the programme’s relevance to regional industry.

Graduates earned a UWE Certificate and Digital Badge, marking a meaningful step in their professional journey – and a collective stride toward a more sustainable future.

Reflections on the impact of the Skills Pathway Programme

Hannah Ranby, Project Lead for the Skills Pathway Programme, shared insights into her experience overseeing the project and its lasting impact.

“The programme exceeded all targets set by our funder and achieved unexpected levels of individual and business impact. This very tangible success demonstrates that there is a real appetite for stackable, modular training from people working in the region that meets both their individual development needs and provides the specific skills their organisation needs to grow.   

Uniquely, this programme provided a high level of one-to-one support for each participant, ensuring that their pathway through the programme was fit-for-purpose and that they were set up to succeed. I’m in no doubt that taking this very tailored approach to the content and structure of the programme, and ensuring that it was accessible for working people, by blending online learning and in-person workshops, contributed to the impact that the programme has had.   

Working on such a successful programme and hearing first-hand from our participants the direct impact it has had on them and their organisation is hugely rewarding for the whole project team. We have learnt so much through this project that we are now taking forward to our other funded skills programmes to ensure continuous improvement, high levels of participant satisfaction and effective use of the funding we continue to secure.”  

Tania Geta, a qualified architect, was looking for a course that would suit her company’s project portfolio, generate new opportunities, and provide her with a qualification and the skillset to run retrofit projects. 

“Through the programme, I have increased my knowledge in the areas of sustainability and retrofit. I gained valuable insights through discussions with my mentor and self-reflection using the Growth Action Plan. These conversations provided a deeper understanding of key topics and helped me apply new perspectives to my professional development. The programme also encouraged a more structured approach to goal setting and career progression, which will continue to benefit me moving forward.” 

Usman Yaqub was drawn to the structured nature of the course and was looking to address understandings of PAS 2035 and retrofit in general and how these could be practically applied into the workplace. 

“We have delved into PAS 2035 and a range of detailed areas on retrofit in general that has proved very useful to take into the working environment. I believe that this will enhance the way in which we work and ultimately lead to an enhancement in service for society as a whole.” 

What’s next?

We’re now delivering a series of new highly subsidised Skills Bootcamps at UWE Bristol, designed for SMEs and employees in larger organisations looking to deepen expertise and upskill in key areas around sustainability and manufacturing.

Explore our Skills Bootcamps and secure your place.

The Skills Pathway Programme was funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority through the Mayoral Priority Skills Fund (MPSF). The MPSF was part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).  

📌 RISE connection: The Skills Pathway Programme exemplifies Skills that empower by highlighting how tailored, inclusive learning pathways equip professionals with practical, future-focused skills – empowering individuals and industries to lead sustainable change across the West of England. It also contributes to Enriching culture, place and community and Securing a green, resilient future, two of our four RISE beacons.

Funded Skills Programmes and Professional Development courses starting at UWE Bristol in Autumn 2025

Author bethjohnson | Posted on

With autumn approaching, it’s the ideal time to invest in professional growth – for yourself or your team – and build valuable new skills. At UWE Bristol, we’re pleased to be delivering a range of programmes and courses, many of which are heavily subsidised and open to both independent learners and employees of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Whether you’re looking to upskill, explore a new area, or support your team’s development, there’s something here for you. Take a look below to find the programme or course that fits your goals and start planning your next step.

Leadership and Management Programmes

Help to Grow: Management Course  

A 12-week, 90% funded leadership and management course for senior managers of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Starts 9 September 2025. 

Leadership Fundamentals 

A 10-week, highly-subsidised programme that helps SMEs build essential leadership skills to strengthen their teams and support sustainable growth. Starts 19 September 2025. 

Coaching and Mentoring Courses

A discount for UWE Bristol Alumni is available for the Coaching and Mentoring courses listed below.

Certificate in Effective Coaching and Mentoring (ILM level 5) 

This ILM qualification aims to give you the skills and experience to develop your coaching and mentoring skills by practically completing sessions and critically reviewing these. Starts 29 September 2025. 

Certificate for Executive and Senior Level Coaches and Mentors (ILM level 7) 

This ILM qualification is ideal for senior leaders with significant responsibility for coaching and mentoring as part of their day-to-day role working with employees or colleagues. Starts 13 October 2025. 

Skills Bootcamps

Our Skills Bootcamps are short, intensive cost effective training solutions lasting between 8-12 weeks, equipping individuals with industry-relevant skills to help you futureproof your business.  

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies for Manufacturing and Engineering Skills Bootcamp 

A 10-week, 90% funded high impact training programme for SMEs, designed to equip professionals with the digital expertise needed to drive innovation and efficiency in modern industry. Apply by 8 September 2025. 

Digital Built Environment: Fabrication & Manufacturing Skills Bootcamp 

A 10-week, 90% funded practical training experience designed to equip individuals with cutting-edge digital construction and manufacturing capabilities. Apply by 15 September 2025. 

Managing Projects Successfully Skills Bootcamp 

An 8-week, 90% funded programme designed to enhance project management skills including communication, leadership, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Apply by 15 September 2025. 

Scaling Preparedness: Green Tech Startup Growth Skills Bootcamp 

A 9-week, 90% funded programme equipping green tech entrepreneurs, founders and emerging leaders with the advanced leadership, strategy and sales capabilities needed to scale sustainability. Apply by 8 September 2025.  

Leadership and Resilience for Creative and Cultural Work Skills Bootcamp 

A 10-week, 90% funded programme designed to help creative professionals thrive in senior roles or freelance contracts, through gaining vital business skills including networking, pitching, and accessing funding. Apply by 8 September 2025. 

Urban Greening for a Biodiverse West of England Skills Bootcamp 

A 10-week, highly-funded programme designed for professionals looking to deepen their understanding of urban biodiversity and apply innovative greening techniques to their work. Apply by 15 September 2025. 

School of Engineering Professional Development Courses

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems 

This one-day programme will help you develop an understanding of how hydrogen fuel cells offer a zero-emission alternative to fossil fuels, making them a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gases and combating climate change. Takes place on 16 September 2025. 

Advanced Wind Energy 

This three-day course will cover the fundamental aerodynamic theory of wind turbines, wind turbine control methods, and other relevant topics such as wind turbine noise, wind distribution and capacity factor. Starts 17 September 2025. 

Explore more Professional Development courses on a range of topics.

To find out more about the courses listed above, please contact the following teams:

Help to Grow: Management Course – helptogrow@uwe.ac.uk

Leadership Fundamentals – workforceskills@uwe.ac.uk

Skills Bootcamps – bootcamps@uwe.ac.uk

Professional Development Courses – CPD@uwe.ac.uk

Unlock new opportunities with UWE Bristol’s Skills Bootcamps 

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

We’re excited to launch a new series of Skills Bootcamps at UWE Bristol, designed to equip learners with specialist knowledge and hands-on experience that can be applied immediately. These highly subsidised, practical training programmes provide an accessible pathway for freelancers, SMEs, and employees in larger organisations to gain industry-relevant skills and make an immediate impact – whether advancing their careers or driving success within their workplaces. 

Each bootcamp includes 1:1 career or industry coaching, ensuring learners can confidently apply their newly acquired expertise to current roles and future aspirations. 

Our new Skills Bootcamps launching in 2025/26 are: 

Launching in 2026: Visitor Economy – British Art Show 2027 

“The Project Management Skills Bootcamp at UWE was a genuinely hands-on experience. The mix of short theory bursts with live simulations and team challenges meant I could transfer concepts like critical-path mapping, stakeholder analysis, and risk planning straight into my role at my workplace the very next day! Learning from seasoned project managers who have delivered large-scale, high-budget programmes added genuine credibility to the bootcamp.”

Maaz Yunus, SAH Diagnostics

Contact bootcamps@uwe.ac.uk for more information, or complete the enquiry form.

The Skills Bootcamps Programme is funded and managed by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, and delivered by The University of the West of England, Bristol.

Skills Pathway Programme: Case Studies

Author Anna Jones | Posted on

The Skills Pathway Programme was a highly successful modular training programme delivered with funding from the Mayoral Priority Skills Fund.

The fully funded programme offered individuals a flexible way to develop the skills needed to drive their career and business forward. Learners focused on the challenges and opportunities from within the workplace, enabling participants to develop new skills whilst adding value to their organisation and boosting economic growth in the region.

The programme was made up of four different pathways, designed to help individuals take advantage of workplace opportunities, utilise new technologies and tackle real-life work-based challenges.

Below we share two case studies of businesses that have taken advantage of the programme:

Usman Yaqub, Studio Yaqub

  • Industry: Construction
  • Chosen Pathway: Sustainability

Studio Yaqub is a residential & commercial architectural practice in the Bristol Area. They specialise in a range of architectural services, from concept design through to detailed drawings, providing guidance on planning, regulations and applications along the way.

“I would and have already highly recommended this course to a number of people and will continue to do so. It is being taught by very experienced teachers in the profession, who have world-class facilities to hand, which is further enhancing the learnings.”

View the full case study:

UWE Skills Pathway Programme Case Study Usman YaqubDownload

Ross Gibbens, Pinkmans Bakery

  • Industry: Manufacturing
  • Chosen Pathway: Leadership

Pinkmans is an independent bakery specialising in Wild Yeast Baking & Sourdough. Since opening they have received many accolades including being listed at one of the Sunday Times Top 25 Bakeries UK.

“On a personal level I feel I have become a more robust ‘boss’, communicating better with the team and building stronger relationships with the team as they see the business is investing in them as individuals as well as for the business”

View the full case study:

UWE Skills Pathway Programme Case Study Ross GibbensDownload

Contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals

UWE Bristol is proud to align our research to the UN sustainable development goals. The above research aligns with the following goals:

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