We’re inviting FE college leaders, tutors, lecturers and work-based assessors to take part in a fully funded programme that empowers apprentices with the skills, mindset and tools to make measurable improvements for their employers.
New funding from Innovate UK is available for FE Colleges and publicly funded providers to deliver accredited Innovation Literacy Training to apprentices, supporting economic growth in regions across the UK.
What You Get
- Training for you: 2 Days of Innovation Literacy Training plus online debrief and facilitator support + ready-to-teach materials, activities and assessment guides.
- Accreditation: A nationally recognised OCN London credential mapped to the Innovation Commercialisation & Entrepreneurship (ICE) Skills Framework, boosting apprentices’ confidence, CVs and career progression.
- Everything provided: Funding resources and ongoing implementation support, and payment per apprentices trained.
- Digital Badges for apprentices (and staff) who complete the programme
- Quality: a tried and tested, high quality programme that has proven results.
Why Get Involved?
Joining the Innovation Launchpad provides a unique opportunity to enrich your provision with cutting-edge innovation training that also builds confidence, communication and collaboration skills. Apprentices are inspired and equipped to develop projects in their workplace, and become confident Innovation Ambassadors who drive real, measurable improvements and benefits to End Point Assessment.
Accredited by OCN London and mapped to the ICE Skills Framework, this unique initiative provides apprentices with a qualification and digital badges that enhance their personal and professional development. The programme is delivered with funding and support, it aligns with regional priorities and national apprenticeship objectives, enabling organisations to strengthen their apprenticeship offer, engage effectively with employers, and contribute meaningfully to local economic growth and innovation.
Why it matters?
Innovation is a critical driver of economic resilience and growth, yet many SMEs face significant barriers to embedding innovation within their organisations, often due to limited capacity, time, and access to practical support.
The Innovation Literacy programme was developed to address this challenge by equipping apprentices with the practical skills, creative mindsets, and confidence to become innovation ambassadors within their workplaces. Delivered successfully across the Greater Manchester region, this accredited training programme has demonstrated real impact in boosting productivity, empowering apprentices, and supporting SME development.
Building on this success, GMColleges is excited to announce that we have secured further funding from Innovate UK to pilot a national scale-up, named the Innovation Literacy Launchpad. This important new phase will extend the programme’s reach and introduce Innovation Literacy to more Further Education colleges and publicly funded providers, whilst engaging employers and apprentices at scale.
Funding and Support
- The programme delivery will be fully funded and there is no cost to the organisation or apprentices.
- A license to use comprehensive training and resource materials will be provided.
- Ongoing support and coordination from expert project staff and delivery partners will ensure success throughout the programme.
- Funding to support your delivery costs will be made available at a rate of £500 per apprentice, with a maximum allocation of £10,000 per college.
Eligibility
We are keen to hear from tutors, lecturers and work-based assessors from FE Colleges and Publicly Funded providers such as Institutes of Technology and Catapults.
Delivery Requirements
Each delivery organisation is required to demonstrate a firm commitment to the successful delivery and impact of Innovation Literacy Launchpad, which includes:
- Sending two designated staff members to participate fully in training sessions and associated online follow-up.
- Organisations must subsequently deliver Innovation Literacy sessions locally.
- Delivery partners are also expected to actively recruit and train at least 15 apprentices through to completion.
- All delivery organisations are required to participate fully in programme evaluation activities, providing feedback and supporting both quantitative and qualitative data collection (form templates will be provided).
Timeframe
- ‘Train the Trainer’ sessions will be held from November
- Apprentice numbers and training schedules agreed by 10th January 2026
- All apprentices to complete training by 1st March 2026
Submission Instructions
We invite tutors, assessors and lecturers from FE colleges and publicly funded organisations to express their interest by completing the EoI form.
We have organised two information-sharing webinars for interested organisations to hear more about this opportunity. These will be held on Friday 19th September at 9:30am and Wednesday 8th October at 3:30pm, please email helloGMFEIP@oldham.ac.uk to register your interest in attending one of these sessions.
For any queries, contact Laura Shepherd, Launchpad Project Manager at helloGMFEIP@oldham.ac.uk
