Innovative workplaces: subsidised training for SMEs

IVE Hothouse Training has teamed up with West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges (WYCC) to deliver Innovative Workplaces Training to small and medium businesses (SMEs) at a reduced rate, supporting economic growth in the North. The training is a blended learning programme for individuals and business cohorts from SMEs, using a mix of eLearning, interactive virtual training, and coaching.

IVE believe that, in uncertain times, success relies on businesses’ ability to drive innovation and recognise change as an opportunity. According to the World Economic Forum the 3 skills that will be in most demand by 2022 will be Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.

“At IVE we know that creativity drives innovation. To have an innovative workplace you need to have creative leadership.”

– Drew Rowlands, Deputy Chief Executive, IVE

Innovative Workplaces and SMEs

SMEs face many barriers to adopting the business practices needed to navigate an uncertain world with resilience. This poses a challenge to economic growth and prosperity for the region. To recognise the importance of creativity and be able to nurture it in the workplace is a core leadership skill. The blended programme is at times highly immersive and personally challenging and unlike any other training programme currently available in the area.

As a result of this training participants are able to;

• Harness innovation and transformation to overcome challenges

• Solve complex problems through divergent and convergent thinking in wide-ranging contexts

• Learn how to build and sustain the environment for innovation, creativity and reflective thinking

• Grow resilience through applying creativity under pressure

• Understand how different team approaches can be applied to problem-solving, teamwork and collaboration

• Empower themselves and those around them to take calculated risks

• Establish an innovative culture for business productivity and growth

IVE has a 23 year track record of researching the application of creativity in many different workplace training contexts.

About IVE

IVE have been advisors to government, led national development programmes, and have worked across a range of sectors including; chemical, clinical, construction, engineering, global PLCs, legal, public, and the technology sector.

“IVE don’t solve the challenges you face, but they create the people in your organisation who do.”

Simon Hicks (Managing Director; Viridor UK)

Pricing and Eligibility

The normal pricing for this programme is £1,100 per person + vat. However, businesses meeting the eligibility criteria at the bottom of this page can receive a 40% reduction thanks to support from the European Social Fund (ESF). We can offer reductions for multiple bookings, please contact Sharon Le Goff (SharonL@weareive.org) to discuss.

As one of WYCC’s Higher Performing Workplaces Training Providers, we can offer this 6-day blended training programme (1-days eLearning, 4 half-day interactive sessions via Zoom + 2-days work-based coaching) for just £695 per person + vat (only £116 per day).

The dates for the next cohort are as follows:

Session 1 – Wednesday 21st October – 10am – 1pm

Session 2 – Wednesday 4th November – 10am – 1pm

Session 3 – Wednesday 2nd December – 10am – 1pm

Session 4 – Wednesday 20th January – 10am – 1pm

In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, IVE are offering a FREE 1 hour on-line ‘taster’ session via Zoom on 3rd September at 10am for interested businesses who would like to find out more about the programme, with an opportunity for Q&A with the trainer. To sign up or enquire, go to www.weareive.org/hothouse/HPW

Eligibility Criteria

Higher Performing Workplaces is managed by the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges and funded by the European Social Fund. Eligibility criteria applies.

SMEs are business of up to 250 FTE employees, with an annual turnover of less than £34M, (including parent and subsidiary companies).

Businesses must be located within the following localities: Bradford,

Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield, and York. Don’t make the cut? See our public and bespoke programmes, here.