Trafford & Stockport College Group unveils new Innovation Hub

Trafford & Stockport College Group has officially launched the Trafford Innovation Hub at its Altrincham campus, opening the doors to a new era of business collaboration and growth.

This dedicated space is now available for businesses to access cutting-edge technology, industry expertise, and fully funded support to drive innovation and success.

The new business space is housed within our immersive technology suite, the CAVE which has been funded by Innovate UK through its Further Education Innovation Fund (FEIF). This initiative aims to increase the role of FE Colleges in supporting businesses productivity across the Greater Manchester region.

A launch event, held at the Altrincham campus, brought together Trafford businesses along with Business support services from the GM Innovation Ecosystem including Business Growth Hub and Trafford Borough Council, for an evening of networking, knowledge-sharing, and celebrating innovation in Trafford.

Attendees enjoyed live music from Trafford & Stockport College Group students, canapés, and a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge experience of the CAVE.

A highlight of the evening was a keynote speech by Manesh Mistry, AI Technical Specialist, from Microsoft, who provided expert insights into AI and the future of AI technology.

Local business leaders were also invited to participate in live panel discussions, offering valuable perspectives on their innovation journey and how the FEIF has helped their business.

James Scott, CEO of Trafford & Stockport College Group, said: “The launch of the Trafford Innovation Hub marks a significant milestone in our commitment to supporting local businesses.

“This new space offers businesses the resources, expertise, and access to funded support needed to innovate and improve productivity.

“Thanks to the continued investment from Innovate UK, FE Colleges are now stepping up and connecting companies to the Greater Manchester innovation ecosystem. At TSCG, our new ‘Innovation Made Simple’ series is helping local businesses to unlock their potential and respond to the global megatrends of technology, climate change and workforce demographics. This ensures that businesses have access to the necessary tools and skills development to thrive in an ever-evolving economic landscape.”

Attendee at the event, Jen Barden, Executive Director of Lancashire Cricket Foundation, commented: “The event was brilliant, and for me, the key takeaway was the opportunity to network with so many like-minded individuals. It was also a great chance to reevaluate AI and understand how we can benefit from using it across the business and train our team members to use it both efficiently and effectively.”
“Our journey with Trafford and Stockport College Group is just starting, and it’s really exciting to see the many doors it can open, from Apprenticeships to T Levels and work experience placements. It’s broadened my network, showing how we can work together in the future and supports one of our key strategy aims of workforce of the future.”
The Trafford Innovation Hub is now open for businesses to utilise.

For businesses looking to take advantage of this innovative space and the wealth of opportunities it offers, please contact us at [email protected]

Your local Business Innovation Advisor for Trafford is [email protected] and your local Business Innovation Advisor for Stockport is [email protected]