In this Business News Wales audio interview, Laura Gough, Head of Enterprise at Wrexham University shares the delight that they have been successful in securing over £570,000 for two projects through the UK’s Shared Prosperity Funding scheme. 

The scheme is part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda, designed to boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards across the country, while supporting local businesses, people and skills.

The network will enhance the University’s current offerings of Knowledge Transfer Vouchers which provide businesses with direct access to university expertise and facilities, and introduce subsidised mini KTPs (Knowledge Transfer Partnerships) to lower the cost of employing graduates to undertake specific projects in industry. It also introduces skills vouchers allowing businesses to upskill their staff through University short courses at subsidised rates.

The first award will support the continuation of Wrexham University’s Horticulture Wales Project, in Flintshire and Denbighshire. Over the last 18 months the previously European-funded project has established firm links with horticultural businesses, schools and communities across Wales, but will now be able to focus solely in Flintshire and Denbighshire and continue to showcase modern growing methods such as CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) in the region.

The second award will support the introduction of Wrexham University’s North East Wales Innovation and Skills Network which will increase university and business collaboration across Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire.