In a time where innovation often feels out of reach for many small businesses, a quiet revolution is taking place across Greater Manchester. The Greater Manchester Further Education Innovation Programme (GMFEIP) has proven that when local colleges, businesses, and apprentices collaborate, real transformation happens.
With £2.5 million from Innovate UK, this programme’s pilot year, turned nine Further Education (FE) colleges into powerhouses of innovation support for over 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The result? A fresh, localised model that’s not only bridging gaps in innovation but also inspires a new generation of business leaders.
Looking back at the first year successes, a number of key themes have emerged.
A New Model: The Radial Innovation Network
At the heart of GMFEIP is the Radial Innovation Network, which is a decentralised system where every Greater Manchester borough hosts a dedicated Innovation Hub, real spaces where businesses and colleges meet, co-create, and solve problems together.
This model ensures that support isn’t just centralised in the central innovation districts of the city region. Instead, it reaches the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, engaging employers who are often left out of traditional innovation strategies.
Apprentices Leading the Charge
One of the most exciting parts of GMFEIP is the rise of the Innovation Literacy Training. Accredited by OCN London, this unique initiative provides apprentices with a ‘digital badge’ qualification that enhances their personal and professional development.
Over 102 Apprentice Innovation Ambassadors have completed the training and are now able to support productivity increases in 72 workplaces across the region.
Tom’s story
Tom is a Mechanical Engineering apprentice fascinated by AI. After undertaking the GM Innovation Literacy Training and becoming an Apprentice Innovation Ambassador he was able to progress a range of initiatives within the company he works for including creating an AI adoption group within the company, piloting AI-powered automation which reduced admin time, led an AI workshop for senior leadership and is now pursuing a degree in Digital & Technology Solutions.
“The programme gave me the confidence to take the lead in integrating AI into workplace processes. I went from being interested in AI to actually implementing it in my company. I even ran a workshop for senior managers on how we can use AI to improve efficiency.” – Tom
Innovation Redefined
One of GMFEIP’s greatest strengths lies in reframing innovation. The programme has helped SMEs think in terms of “good ideas” they could implement tomorrow.
From moving CRMs from paper to digital, to using AI to identify energy-saving and cost cutting measures, the programme shows local businesses that Innovation adoption isn’t only about exclusive high-end tech, it’s about practical improvements in productivity
“Before the programme, we had zero knowledge of AI. Now, my team is building custom GPTs that save us hours every day. It’s transformed how we work.” SME Business Owner
“The term ‘innovation’ can seem intimidating. When the programme focused instead on good ideas we could implement quickly, we immediately saw the benefits.” SME Business Owner
Collaboration at its Core
Perhaps the biggest cultural shift has been among the colleges themselves, where teams across the nine colleges are increasingly sharing activities, resources, expertise, and even staff.
Innovation is no longer “extra” or “optional”, it’s gradually becoming embedded in the everyday practices of college staff, students, and business partners.
Supporting ‘Overlooked-SMEs’
GMFEIP supports overlooked-SMEs -also known as “the missing middle”- those companies that are too big for start-up funding but too small to attract R&D grants. These companies are the backbone of Greater Manchester’s economy, and now they have a local partner in their FE college that can provide tailor-made innovation solutions.
“I came for an AI workshop and left with a long-term business partner in my local FE college. This programme transformed our approach to innovation.” – SME Business Owner
Year 2 and beyond
With Year 2 underway, GMFEIP is poised to deepen its impact and widen its reach. Plans include development of a bespoke Collaboration, Engagement and Impact Index, rotating industry experts as Innovators in Residence, and potential commercialisation of the Innovation Literacy curriculum to support even more employers.
The programme demonstrates that innovation isn’t just for labs and large corporations, it lives in classrooms, workshops, and communities, where local colleges help local businesses solve local problems.
By turning FE colleges into strategic innovation partners, Greater Manchester is setting a national precedent for how to empower businesses, boost productivity, and foster an inclusive culture where innovation belongs to everyone.
For more information on how we can support your business through innovation or apprentice training, please contact your local college Innovation Teams.
