Digital Leadership training for small businesses

We’ve launched a new training programme to help small businesses in the region to improve their digital capabilities.

Digital Leadership for SMEs (small and medium enterprises) has been designed to help small businesses to identify and embrace digital improvements for their organisation.

The training is available for senior leaders of SME organisations, who are located in and operate their business in either Devon, Plymouth, Somerset or Torbay in the following sectors: Health and Adult Social Care, Manufacturing, and Clean Growth (businesses that contribute sustainable and low carbon economic growth). 

There are 150 training places available, providing up to 32 hours of free tutor training delivered by Cosmic. The scheme is part of the Heart of the South West local growth deal funded Digital Skills Series, supported by the Heart of the South West LEP.

Find out more on our website.

Pioneering local company supported in mission to transform battery waste into critical minerals

Tavistock-based Altilium Metals is helping to transform the UK automotive industry and support the transition to net zero with the launch of its innovative electric vehicle battery recycling technology, developed with the support of our Green Innovation Fund.

The pioneering company opened its EV battery technology centre in 2022 and is now the only company in the UK recovering critical battery minerals from waste EV batteries. Recovering minerals including lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese reduces the carbon footprint of new EVs, while contributing to increased energy security for the UK.

Through its technology focused subsidiary Altilitech, it was one of seven ground-breaking projects in the county to receive a share of Green Innovation Funding which Dr Christian Marston, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, says has been “transformational”.

You can read more about Altilitech and our Green Innovation Fund on our website.

Coworking collaboration for Devon’s Women in Business

Members of the Devon Work Hub network recently joined forces to host a coworking day for women.

For the past three years the Devon Business and IP Centre (BIPC Devon) has run a free 12-week Women in Business Course to help women in the county to start and grow businesses. 

A collaboration between BIPC Devon, Libraries Unlimited, Devon Work Hubs and The Tribe (Devon’s first female coworking space) led to a coworking day at Teignmouth Library specifically for local women. It received such good feedback that the attendees have requested the collaboration continue on a regular basis.

You can read more about how the coworking day went on our news pages.

Proposals sought to deliver second year of Devon Multiply maths skills training

Grant funding is being offered to organisations that can help deliver a second year of a successful scheme providing maths skills training to adults in Devon.

We’re inviting organisations to submit innovative proposals to deliver numeracy skills training to adults in the county through our Devon Multiply scheme, which is funded by the UK Government.

Organisations that are eligible to apply include private businesses, public organisations, voluntary organisations, charities, community groups and local authorities.

Funding from £15,000 to £50,000 is available to projects that submit a successful application. Expressions of interest are open from now until Thursday 22 June 2023.

Find out more about Devon Multiply on our website.