GMColleges is delighted to be a consortium partner in Greater Manchester’s Centre for Digital Innovation.

What is the Centre for Digital Innovation (CDI)?

The Centre for Digital Innovation (CDI) is one of the UK Government’s innovation accelerator programmes announced earlier this year.

Funded by Innovate UK, CDI is a consortium of Greater Manchester universities, GM FE Colleges and industry partners who together will create a supercluster of digital expertise to help the region’s businesses achieve their goals through digital innovation.

An exciting opportunity for FE and Business

CDI is an exciting venture into new ground for Further Education. Our colleges are experienced and equipped for addressing the training needs of business and providing skills for the labour market that exists today.

Through the CDI project, our business relationships will expand into business change, connecting our local partners with the wider innovation ecosystem, improving local access to R&D and new tech that can drive productivity and improved business performance.

Our roadshows focus on 4 increasingly important developments:

  • Industrial Digitalisation (Industry 4.0) – including 3D printing, Digital Twin and Internet of Things
  • Artificial Intelligence – including ChatGPT, mechatronics and robotics
  • Immersive Technology – including XR and AR for use in content creation and training environments
  • Cyber Security – the necessary underpinning to digitalise business safely, professionally and in accordance with procurement requirements

We call on businesses to get involved

Throughout 2024, the 9 FE Colleges of Greater Manchester hosted a series of Digital Innovation Roadshows where SMEs connected with free business Innovation advice and support. We want to hear from employers about how we can create a greater culture of innovation and drive productivity in our local business communities, so please get in touch.

Get in touch

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