Quiz the Experts

Grab some expert one-to-one advice from the stands in the Atrium

University of Kent – Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships, Recruitment, Placements and Internships Apprenticeships are a win-win, helping employers bridge the skills gap, while offering employees practical experience coupled with real and achievable career progression. The University of Kent has been working with large and small employers for over five years to help them utilise apprenticeship training opportunities and create progression routes into, and through, their organisations. Our team can support with skills gap analysis, recruitment and offer advice on funding and compliance for employers looking to develop their apprenticeship programmes. As our programmes are delivered by the academic divisions across the University of Kent, employers can benefit from the expertise and research of our academics and the wider University’s networking opportunities.

As apprentice learn they bring new ideas, knowledge, and skills into your organisation and it’s not just employers who benefit from apprenticeships. Apprentices make contacts, develop skills, and earn a wage. They also gain a recognised qualification without paying tuition fees.

Currently our apprenticeships are in the following areas, but we are continually looking to expand on this and encourage employers to talk to us about the apprenticeship standards that would make a real difference to their organisation: Current apprenticeships – Apprenticeships – University of Kent

Some of Kent Business School Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships include: Senior Leader MBA, Management MA and Operational Research Specialist – Apprenticeships –University of Kent. Innovate UK EDGE – Innovation and growth specialists

Innovate UK EDGE is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in the innovative businesses that drive economic growth. It complements Innovate UK project funding with intensive, specialist-led support for such ambitious businesses.

Each high-potential, innovative business in our portfolio benefits from the objective perspective of a dedicated innovation and growth specialist local to them. Working closely with its leadership team, we identify the most productive way to accelerate its growth and to enable scale up.

We advise on the following areas: • managing cashflow, • funding and finance & investment readiness, • research and development (R&D) and innovation capacity, • IP management and IP audits, • reviewing businesses models, • planning for growth nationally and internationally, • developing supply chains, • building a customer base, • accessing new markets, • marketing & innovation strategy, • preparing companies for their scale up & growth journey.

The Kent Growth Space Initiative The Kent Growth Space Initiative is inviting you to join the “Big Conversation”.

Find out more within the 2022 Kent Property Market Report, and quiz KCC Economic Development Officers for more information.

Growing Kent and Medway (GK&M) – Improve your business and become a mentor GK&M is a programme to improve the region’s horticulture, viticulture, and agri-tech sectors. The programme is led by NIAB-East Malling Research with partners including the University of Kent, University of Greenwich, Locate in Kent, and a range of regional food and drink companies. Our aim is to work with hundreds of companies and individuals to supply mentoring, entrepreneurship, and scientific advice. Activity delivered by the University of Kent will include: • 1-1 business to business mentoring support for startup and existing businesses of all sizes • Research facilities at the Industrial Biotechnology

Hub for sustainable food and drink • Support applying to industry-led collaborative

Research & Development grants, ranging from £20k to £0.5M.

University of Kent – Future Human IndustryAcademia Sandpit: Human Augmentation in Industry

Participants from academia (from the University of Kent) and industry, Third Sector and healthcare that represent a diverse range of domains/fields are encouraged to apply. The sandpit will include inputs from a variety of sources and will seek innovative propositions for the use of Human Augmentation (HA) in different areas of life/society. The two-day multi-disciplinary sandpit event will bring together participants who represent a variety of disciplines underpinning HA.

Expressions of interest to attend should be submitted via this digital form. Deadline for EOIs to be submitted is 4pm on Monday 23rd January 2023.

Future Human Industry-Academia sandpit

Wednesday 1 – Thursday 2 March 2023 University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NZ

Sandpit for those who want to develop human augmentation technology/ products/research, test/implement an existing technology/approach to improve business or workplace outcomes, or a general interest/expertise in the area.

• Form a multidisciplinary network to address business/workplace challenges and research questions relating to human augmentation • Seedcorn funding of £15,000 • University of Kent support to develop grant applications to undertake extended projects. • Face-to-face two-day sandpit on human augmentation tools, techniques, and technologies to optimise or restore human performance in health, everyday life, work, and elite/occupational performance • Up to 35 participants from academia, business, health/social care, and Third Sector.

Find out more: E: futurehuman@kent.ac.uk

Running your own business is rewarding, but you don’t have to face the challenges alone.

With the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) by your side, you’ll have all the support and expertise you need to start, run and grow your business. As the leading voice of 5.5 million small businesses and the self-employed heard in governments across the UK, we’re always working to deliver real change on the issues that matter most.

FSB membership unlocks market-leading business services and tools including:

• 24/7 legal, tax and employment advice line • Debt recovery service • Range of local and virtual events - free and open to all • An extensive online legal hub with over 1,400 documents and templates • Easy access to funding • Bespoke insurance quotes and advice tailored to you

To find out more or to join today, please call us on 0808 2020 888 or visit fsb.org.uk/join

*FSB Business Essentials Membership starts from £147 per annum with a £30 registration fee in the first year. This rate is applicable to businesses with no employees. Rates increase depending on your number of employees. Please see the website for full details of subscription rate bands. Registered Office: National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses Limited, Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool Business Park, Blackpool, FY4 2FE. Registered in England No. 1263540.