UKSPF Funded Stoke-on-Trent Higher Skills Accelerator (SHSA)

From April 2025 to March 2026 the Business Engagement Team proudly delivered the Stoke-on-Trent Higher Skills Accelerator (SHSA), a collaborative initiative designed to empower businesses, professionals, and aspiring leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an evolving economy.

Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the programme provided accessible, high-quality professional development opportunities across a wide range of disciplines, including Business, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Management, Sales and Marketing, Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Sustainability, and Health and Welfare.


Over the course of the programme, the Business Engagement Team successfully delivered:

30 professional masterclasses

Covering 16 specialist themes and subject areas

More than 127 hours of expert-led learning

Participants gained practical knowledge and developed new skills

Over 550 attendees were supported

399 Stoke-on-Trent residents engaged with the programme

 

 

The Stoke-on-Trent Higher Skills Accelerator stands as a successful example of what can be achieved through strong partnerships between higher education, local government, and industry. Its impact continues through the individuals and organisations that have benefited from the skills, insights, and connections developed throughout the programme.

The Business Engagement Team remains committed to supporting lifelong learning, professional development, and regional growth, building on the success of this landmark initiative.

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Courses delivered

  • Applications of AI in industry: From lab to business impact
  • Social media Marketing & AI
  • Digital Marketing
  • Becoming carbon literate – Your guide to net zero
  • Entrepreneurship – Turning ideas into action
  • Introduction to ChatGPT
  • The new psychology of leadership and team dynamics
  • Performing with presence – Thriving through success and setbacks
  • Mindset – Performing under pressure
  • VCCP Presents – Visual AI in creative marketing
  • Neurodiversity in the workplace
  • Neurodiversity conference
  • Level 3 emergency first aid at work
  • Awareness of mental health first aid
  • Data analysis & presentation: An intro to Excel
  • Empowering Neurodiverse talent: A guide to recruiting and supporting neurodiverse talent

Our team

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Justin Pover

Knowledge Exchange Coordinator

Justin Pover is a Knowledge Exchange Coordinator at the University of Staffordshire, supporting knowledge exchange and collaboration between the university and local businesses.

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