Wrexham University celebrates successful culmination of Shared Prosperity Fund initiatives
Date: Monday, December 23, 2024
Wrexham University’s Enterprise team hosted a celebration event to mark the successful culmination of its Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) projects.
The event featured guest speakers Cat Harvey-Aldcroft, Deputy Manager at Danger Point; Adam Spiby, Director at Healthcare Matters and Academic Supervisor; Dr David Sprake, who worked with Llangollen Railway; each sharing their experiences of participating in SPF funded initiatives. Commemorative awards of gratitude were also given to project participants in attendance.
Overall, the event celebrated the impactful initiatives made possible by SPF funding, which has enhanced access to funding opportunities for businesses in Wrexham, Denbighshire, and Flintshire.
Professor Joe Yates, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University
Speaking at the event, Professor Joe Yates, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, said: “Partnership is a central theme of our vision and strategy at Wrexham University, in terms of how we work in partnership with industry, the public sector and networks locally, regionally and globally.
"When we launch our new strategy early in 2025, we will be strengthening our position as an anchor and beacon institution in North Wales, working to support innovation and deliver real change. [the SPF projects] are a superb example of how powerful partnerships can be in delivering inclusive growth across our region."
Over the course of 2024, the SPF funding has empowered regional businesses to upskill their workforce, foster innovation, and establish deeper collaborations between academia and industry through three core funding schemes:
1. Skills Vouchers for Workshops and Short Courses
SPF funding enabled businesses to access up to £1,500 in Skills Vouchers per company, reducing or fully covering the cost of professional development. These vouchers provided opportunities for employees to participate in workshops and short courses on in-demand topics, helping businesses gain a competitive edge.
2. Knowledge Transfer Vouchers (KTVs)
With SPF support, organisations benefited from enhanced Knowledge Transfer Vouchers worth up to £5,000 (10 vouchers of £500 each). These vouchers allowed businesses to tap into academic expertise, explore innovative processes, trial new concepts, and engage in research and development activities while minimizing financial risk.
3. Mini Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (Mini KTPs)
Businesses were able to recruit graduates for 3-6 month projects with financial support of up to £380 per week towards graduate wages. Additionally, the funding provided up to £6,000 worth of academic expertise to assist with these projects, enabling businesses to deliver impactful outcomes.
Laura Gough, Head of Enterprise and Development at Wrexham University, said: “It was fantastic to see so many come together at this event. Over the past year, the Shared Prosperity Funding enabled Wrexham University to collaborate with businesses across Wrexham, Denbighshire, and Flintshire. This funding fostered innovation, supported professional development, and strengthened connections between academia and industry.
“We’re proud of these achievements and look forward to building on them through the innovative work of the Enterprise team and Wrexham University.”
Key Achievements
Since the launch of the project in December 2023, approximately 116 companies have taken advantage of these funding schemes, resulting in:
- Significant workforce upskilling in key industries.
- Enhanced collaboration between local businesses and Wrexham University’s academic experts.
- Tangible support for innovative projects across the region.
Looking Ahead
Whilst SPF funding concludes most projects this December, the University’s commitment to supporting businesses in North Wales continues. Businesses in Wrexham, Denbighshire, and Flintshire can still explore Wrexham University’s innovation initiatives and should contact the Enterprise team to find out more.
For more information about ongoing opportunities or future initiatives, please contact the Enterprise team at: enterprise@wrexham.ac.uk