A Scottish Government Minister has hailed the impact made by Scotland’s colleges in helping businesses to innovate and adopt new technological advancements after visiting Glasgow Kelvin College this week.
Attending Kelvin’s Centre for Digital Enablement – part of the College Local Innovation Centres (CLIC) project – during National Innovation Week, Minister for Business and Employment Richard Lochhead said that education institutions across the nation have a vital role to play in upskilling the workforce and helping companies explore the potential of new technologies.
Hosted by Glasgow Kelvin College Principal Joanna Campbell, Mr Lochhead heard about the work undertaken in the Glasgow City region through the CLIC project, which is funded with £2.4 million over two years from the Innovate UK Further Education Innovation Fund. The programme is providing businesses across the Glasgow City region with support and guidance on embedding and embracing innovation.
Located at six innovation hubs within colleges in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, and Renfrewshire, businesses from a variety of sectors are using the programme to access expertise, ranging from advisory services to hands-on assistance in adopting cutting-edge technologies, processes, and business models.
Glasgow Kelvin College’s Centre for Digital Enablement has run a series of programmes to advance the use of digital technologies in organisations across the Glasgow City region.
The courses have included the adoption and ethics of AI, future technology and synthetic business, 3D printing, advanced computer aided design (CAD) for the jewellery industry, and digital capabilities for CO2 technologies.
“Scotland’s first National Innovation Week marks a bold new chapter in Scotland’s innovation story. Innovation is how we will tackle climate change, improve public health, and create high-quality jobs,” business and employment minister Richard Lochhead said.
“Our colleges and universities help lay the groundwork for innovation to flourish, by building the industries of the future and ensuring Scotland remains a place where talent thrives.
“The work Glasgow Kelvin College is undertaking is a prime example of this in practice – helping foster and grow the innovative workforce of the future.”
Principal Joanna Campbell said: “The pace of change in the economy has never been faster and it is absolutely vital that businesses in a variety of sectors embrace the opportunities this presents.
“Through the CLIC programme, we have been supporting businesses across Glasgow with access to expertise in a range of topics related to AI, 3D printing, IT, and CAD, helping them to embed these technologies within their operations and upskill their people.
“It was a privilege to share the successes we have already seen come out of the programme with the Minister. We look forward to there being many more, as we strive to make an even greater impact on the Glasgow economy, the businesses we work with, and the individuals we support through our courses.”
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