Glasgow and west of Scotland businesses are set to benefit from a £1.2 million investment in innovation among local colleges.

Six new innovation hubs will be created across the region to stimulate growth in sectors including digital healthcare, sustainable development and advanced manufacturing.

The investment, funded by the Innovate UK Further Education Innovation Fund, will provide support and guidance for businesses to embed innovation in their organisations.

It is part of the 12-month College Local Innovation Centres (CLIC) pilot project. Support will range from advisory services to hands-on assistance in adopting cutting-edge technologies, processes, and business models

Stella McManus, principal of South Lanarkshire College and a member of the College West Partnership Group, said: “This is a significant moment for the Glasgow City Region and further highlights the crucial role the college sector will play in collaborating with the business community to drive innovation across Scotland. 

“Innovate UK has recognised the importance of Scottish colleges in the innovation and enterprise landscape and the role our institutions play in leading economic and social transformation. This sector-first opportunity and collective approach brings six colleges together to deliver on innovation and economic priorities and will underpin the ambitions of the business community across the city region and Scotland.” 

The award of funding is part of a UK-wide push by Innovate UK to promote innovation that will see £7.3 million invested in nine projects across 33 colleges. Other regions involved across the UK include Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. 

The six colleges hosting the innovation hubs are:

  • Centre for Digitally Enabled Health – New College Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire
  • Centre for Sustainable Development – South Lanarkshire College, South Lanarkshire
  • Centre for Advanced Manufacturing – West College Scotland, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire
  • Centre for Digital Enablement – Glasgow Kelvin College
  • Centre for Innovation Leadership – City of Glasgow College
  • Centre for Digital Creativity – Glasgow Clyde College

The innovation hubs, hosted within each college, will begin supporting businesses at the end of March 2024.