South West College launch SME Innovation Programme

Through the delivery of the SME Innovation Programme, the InnoTech Centre aims to enhance small businesses’ competitive advantage within the Borough making changes with a positive effect relating to product innovation, process development, and business improvement techniques. The programme focuses on micro / small businesses that are either not yet Invest NI clients or are non-active Invest NI clients. It will act as a framework to catalyse innovation through a managed and integrated approach to innovation promotion and support.

Councillor Vincent Currie Chairman of Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council’s Economic Development Sub Committee encourages local businesses to consider participation in the programme he added “It is an excellent opportunity to address key business issues though innovation and is free to all successful applicant SMEs’”

South West College’s InnoTech Centre aim is to accelerate and integrate the creation, acquisition, and application of knowledge, skills, and new technologies into the business sector.

Dr Jill Cush, Research Lecturer within South West College’s InnoTech Centre says “We are confident that managed innovation will promote an innovation culture that delivers profitable change in the wider business sector throughout the Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council area, which is an area very much dominated by the private business sector.”

She continues that the InnoTech Centre is pleased to be able to offer assistance at no cost to small companies in these difficult times and looks forward to working wit with participants across the Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough region.

“I fully appreciate that in the competitive marketplace, every little helps. Some examples of assistance covered by the programme include:

• Develop new ideas / learn how to get concepts down on paper;       
• Advice to help reduce your energy consumption, and/or setup online energy monitoring.
• Get up to speed on Social Media advertising;
• Improve your web presence & get started selling online; and
• Monitor & analyse your website’s performance;             

These examples are only to name but a few areas which could be covered free of charge for participants within the SME Innovation Programme.  We are aiming to place innovation at the core of business development, helping businesses to grow and be more competitive” said Dr Cush.

For further information on this programme or to express interest, contact Chris Mc Queen on 028 8225 5223 or email chris.mcqueen@swc.ac.uk.  Application forms can also be downloaded from www.theinnotechcentre.com