Funded training and development

Welcome to the Enterprise Academy - Staffordshire University's one-stop hub for cutting-edge knowledge and skills to empower businesses and young professionals to thrive in a competitive world.

Through our Stoke-on-Trent Higher Skills Accelerator, our diverse selection of professional training courses have been designed to elevate your skills in key areas such as Business, Entrepreneurship, HR, Management, Sales and Marketing, Computing and AI, Health, Environment and Sustainability and Innovation.

Unlock your potential, stay ahead in your field, and make a real difference. The Enterprise Academy not only provides you with the latest knowledge but also connects you with a lively community of professionals who share your drive for growth and success.

What to expect

A wide variety of courses and masterclasses
The opportunity to progress to further flexible study with micro credentials
Flexible delivery
Taught by our academic experts

What qualifications can be achieved?

We offer the following levels of professional development and training.

Pathways to Higher Education – Microcredentials

Microcredentials offer you the opportunity to gain specialist knowledge and skills to advance your career and gain recognition of credit for further under/postgraduate study.

Short Courses and Masterclasses

Build towards your business and career development needs by enrolling on one of our short courses and masterclasses delivered by our academic experts. You will receive a certificate of attendance for your participation.

Our courses are taught at a variety of different levels. We have a team of expert advisors with specialist knowledge in mapping individual career development needs to professional and academic qualifications.

Business, Marketing and Sustainability

Digital Marketing Masterclass

This masterclass introduces learners to digital marketing. Participants will gain a greater understanding of the digital marketing tools available to all businesses.

Social Media Marketing Strategy Masterclass

The Social Media Marketing Strategy Masterclass supports you in developing a social media strategy, including the audit of your current performance, setting objectives and KPIs, identifying target audiences, creating and optimising content, and tracking your social media performance.

Carbon Net Zero

It is expected that all sectors of the UK economy will have decarbonised by 2050. This masterclass provides businesses and individuals with a starting point for their journey to net zero. Learners will learn their role in generating and reducing carbon emissions both personally and within the workplace.

Introduction to Chat GPT

The masterclass delves into the fundamentals of chatbot technology and the practical applications of the ChatGPT language model. By the end of the course, learners will have a strong foundation in building and deploying queries using ChatGPT, enabling them to apply this knowledge in various professional settings.

The New Psychology of Leadership and Team Dynamics

Gain deep insights into the intricate psychology behind effective leadership and team dynamics in our workshop, The New Psychology of Leadership and Team Dynamics. Led by renowned experts, Professor Matt Slater and Paul Mansell, acquire invaluable skills to build thriving teams in today's dynamic business landscape. Enrol now!

Making The Most of Your Data

Discover how to make the most of your data using Microsoft Excel. Learn how to create easy-to-understand visual displays such as Pivot Tables and charts. Learn how to validate, link, sort and filter your data and protect it to ensure its integrity.

Healthcare

CPR & Defibrillator Awareness

Did you know that if someone suffers a cardiac arrest outside a hospital and receives CPR from someone at the scene they are two to three times more likely to survive? If someone collapsed in front of you, would you know what to do? This course will provide you with skills that could potentially aid you to save a life.

Emotional Freedom Techniques

This 2 hour masterclass introduces learners to powerful Emotional Freedom Techniques, commonly known as EFT or Tapping for Burnout. Learners will gain invaluable insights into the effects of burnout on both the workplace and their overall well-being.

The Stoke-on-Trent Higher Skills Accelerator is fully funded by the UK Shared Prosperity fund in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent Council and offered free of charge to each participating organisation.

Benefits of professional training and development

Whether you’re a business owner, employee, entrepreneur, student or a postgraduate, continuous professional development is an essential tool to maintain and enhance knowledge and skills, aid career progression, promote greater workforce engagement and build on learner confidence.

Our team

Laura Knight

Employer Partnership Development Manager

I am a Business Development Manager in Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise. I support businesses, identifying training needs and academic pathways as part of our CPD offer.

Laura's profile

Archana Sandy

Business Engagement Consultant

I currently work as a Business Engagement Development Officer, supporting students, graduates and local businesses with continuous professional development (CPD) training.

Archana's profile

Rebecca Boswell

Project Manager

As a project manager in the Business Engagement Team, I address higher-level skills needs in our region under UKSPF funding, facilitating part-time flexible study for individuals, benefiting both them and their employers.

Rebecca's profile

Philip O'Neill

Employer Partnerships Development Mgr

As a Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise Development Manager at Staffordshire University, I collaborate with businesses to understand their needs, offering support for innovation and project development to address challenges and opportunities.

Philip's profile

Steve Hargreaves

Ep Develop'Mt Mgr-K'Ledge Exchng E'Prise

In my current role as an Employer Partnerships Development Manager, I look after the business incubator and take the lead in several exciting innovation projects. I set up KTPs and have supported businesses with Innovate UK bids.

Steve's profile

Jordan Everall