UKSPF project: The Regional Innovation and Skills Network

Funded by UK Government logo

Project lead: Wrexham Glyndwr University (WGU)

This project is now complete.

Project overview

The Regional Innovation and Skills Network will stimulate collaborative research and development / innovation / continuous professional development activities leading to improved business outcomes for the region’s Small and Medium Enterprises.

Building on existing WGU schemes, enhanced financial support will enable companies in North East Wales to develop collaborative research projects and identify emerging training gaps. Support would include:

  • enhanced participation in WGU’s existing ‘Ladder of Innovation’ including Knowledge Transfer (KT) vouchers, allowing access to academic time, skills, materials, equipment, and training
  • contribution towards mini and full Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), enabling deeper collaborations and increasing graduate employment
  • knowledge exchange / training analysis network events, bringing businesses and partners together leading to new courses

Project updates

Final project summary December 2022 to March 2025

Regional Innovation and Skills Multi LA achieved strong results in Denbighshire, exceeding targets across several areas.

It delivered 45 Knowledge Transfer Vouchers, supported 16 social enterprises with grants and engaged 143 participants in training from both business and social enterprise sectors.

Entrepreneur engagement and research activities were highly rated, and Mini Knowledge Transfer Partnerships yielded meaningful outcomes.

The project aligned with key Welsh strategies including Net Zero Wales and the Innovation Strategy for Wales, and demonstrated best practice through strategic co-design, tailored support, and strong governance—enhancing innovation capacity and skills development across Denbighshire.

March 2024

The Innovation Skills Network was launched in December with a networking event on campus which attracted over 60 companies. Several organisations in Denbighshire are already benefitting from the project, including:

  • Clwyd Alyn – have begun running a Mini Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to investigate sustainability issues on a new development.
  • Llangollen Railway Trust - has taken up several KT Vouchers and will also be running a Mini KTP.