We are delighted to be a part of the great success of the Birmingham Innovation Hub. A recent report highlights the hard work and extensive collaboration the Hub has provided to our local community and the West Midlands region. Over 2 years, 6 colleges, including Fircroft, have shared their expertise and collaborated to offer support to small and medium-sized businesses in the region, delivering economic, social and environmental impact.
Each college specialises in a specific area of expertise:
● BMet College Hub: Dental, Data Technology, Digital Technologies, Cyber Security, Social Media
● Fircroft College Hub: Built Environment and Regenerative Construction
● Heart of Worcestershire College Hub: AI and Digital Technologies
● South and City College Birmingham Hub: Construction, Engineering & Manufacturing, Women in Trade
● Solihull College & University Centre, supported by Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of Technology Hub (GBSIoT): Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Automation, AI and Digitech Technologies
● University College Birmingham: Battery manufacturing
Our Re:Builders programme, funded by Innovate UK and working with Civic Square, Dark Matter Labs and Material Cultures, to introduce new, sustainable environmental construction techniques and materials to people already working, or aspiring to work, in the construction industry. The programme involved site visits across the UK, talks and hands-on learning by sector experts and collaborative project work. This is the second year we were involved in this initiative, which has not only up-skilled people in the West Midlands but has also strengthened existing networks and created new partnerships.
Key highlights since the opening of the Birmingham Innovation Hub, include:
246 SME business engaged across the 6 Birmingham Hubs
£16.5m GVA contributed to the Birmingham region over 3 years
10.8 FTE Net employment impact
For every £1 spent on the project, £16.57 value was returned to the local economy
A total of 101 tonnes of C02 savings were reported by beneficiaries of the projects
A £22.8m sustainability return of impact (SROI) sum is returned for the Birmingham Innovation Hub
Read about the Hub’s success in the recent Birmingham Innovation Hub Evaluation Report
You can find out more about our sustainability work here
