Greater Manchester Innovation Programme
Innovation isn’t reserved for someone else. It starts here, with you.
The Innovation Hub is where your ideas get unstuck, your questions get heard, and your next step becomes clear. Whether you want to fix something, build something, or just think differently, this is where progress happens, together.
What Can Our Innovation Hub Do For You?
We believe every business in Wigan and Leigh deserves practical, flexible support, no matter the starting point. Here, “innovation” is not reserved for someone else. It means tackling challenges your way, with real outcomes and real people at your side.
We offer you more than options. We offer direction, clarity, and honest partnership. Our hub adapts to your needs, providing skills, advice, a community of innovators, and opportunities to turn your ideas into results. Whether you need to build confidence, find new solutions, connect with like minds, or simply take the next step, we’re here to help you move forward, on your terms.
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Building the Next Generation of Innovators
Greater Manchester has always been a city of firsts — the birthplace of the modern world. But progress here never happens by accident. It takes people willing to shape what’s next.
That’s why we run a programme to turn Apprentices to Innovation Ambassadors.
Open to apprentices across Greater Manchester, this hands-on experience helps you spot opportunities, solve problems, and turn ideas into action, so you can bring fresh energy and real impact to your organisation.
This could be your success story too.
Joe Blackburn
Meet Joe, a Multi-Channel Marketing apprentice studying at the college. Joe and his Manager, Nicola, at Diamond Interiors shared how the Innovation Literacy Programme helped Joe grow his skills and bring fresh ideas to the business.
From Designer to Multi-Channel Marketer & Innovation Ambassador
Joe Blackburn began his career as a junior graphic designer, enjoying the creative work but wanting to do more than just design. He wanted to understand how his work could influence people’s decisions and drive engagement. This curiosity led him to pursue an apprenticeship as a Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer at Diamond Interiors, through the college, where he could combine his design skills with strategic marketing.
“I wanted to broaden my skills,” Joe explained. “I didn’t want to be just a designer. I wanted to understand the bigger picture.”
Discovering the Innovation Literacy Programme
When Joe’s workplace assessor introduced him to the Innovation Literacy Programme, he was excited from the start. The idea of becoming an Innovation Ambassador immediately appealed to him. “I loved the idea of being called an Innovation Ambassador,” Joe said. “It sounded like a really nice title and I felt like it was the perfect opportunity to bring my ideas to life.”
He saw the programme as a chance to think differently, experiment with new ideas, and learn how to communicate his thoughts more clearly. With support from his workplace, he eagerly signed up, ready to take on new challenges.
Learning Through Testing and Collaboration
One of the most important lessons Joe learned was the value of testing. Using the SCAMPER model, he realised that just because something didn’t work the first time, it didn’t mean it was a bad idea. “The testing was eye-opening,” Joe shared. “I test, learn, and adapt ideas every day now without even thinking about it.”
The programme also challenged Joe to work with people from different industries. “I was working with people from completely different backgrounds,” Joe said. “It taught me to see problems from different angles and communicate my ideas better.” Helping him become more confident in presenting his ideas.
Making an Impact at Diamond Interiors
Nicola Shaw, Marketing Manager at Diamond Interiors, noticed a clear change. “Joe’s confidence grew,” she observed. “He’s really started to come out of his shell and discuss any ideas he has.”
Becoming an Innovation Ambassador
By the end of the programme, Joe had gained the title of Innovation Ambassador, which gave him the confidence and credibility to share his ideas more openly. “It gave me the confidence to share my ideas,” Joe said.
Tom Bolton & Aston Aldred
Tom and Aston, are engineers at Electrium who took on the Innovation Literacy Programme to go beyond technical skills and spark new ways of thinking.
From Engineering Technicians to Innovation Ambassadors
Tom Bolton and Aston Aldred began their careers as Level 3 Engineering Technicians at Electrium. Focused on developing their technical skills, both were also keen to explore new ways of thinking and working. When the opportunity to take part in the Innovation Literacy Programme at Wigan & Leigh College came up, through the Greater Manchester Further Education Innovation Programme, they signed up as part of the very first cohort.
Applying Innovation to Real-World Roles
For Aston, one of the key benefits was how relevant the programme was to his day-to-day work. “I found that I could apply the content to my role within the company,” he said. “The tools and resources relating to the innovation process have really helped me to follow a structure.” The programme provided practical methods to approach challenges and think creatively within a structured framework.
Creating Opportunities to Share Ideas
Tom found that the programme gave him more confidence and a platform to contribute. “As an Innovation Ambassador, I have more of a platform to share and champion ideas,” he said. “Creating exciting opportunities for both personal growth and meaningful impact.”
Now recognised as Apprentice Innovation Ambassadors, both Tom and Aston have taken the skills and insights from the programme back into the business, helping to support innovation and structured problem-solving within Electrium. Description for this block. Use this space for describing your block. Any text will do. Description for this block. You can use this space for describing your block.
Erin Wilson
Curious by nature, Erin joined the Innovation Literacy Programme ready to learn. She discovered how to turn ideas into action and present them with real impact.
Engineering Fitter Apprentice & Innovation Ambassador at MBDA
Erin Wilson was put forward for the Innovation Literacy Programme by her workplace trainer assessor. While she’d always approached tasks with curiosity, she didn’t initially recognise it as innovation.
“Yes, but I didn’t know it,” Erin said when asked if she had always been innovative. “My family have a history in electronics, and I’ve transferred parts of the methodology and knowledge but wasn’t aware it could be seen to be working innovatively. I’ve always wondered if I change the way I do something, what could/would happen.”
A key moment in the programme for Erin was learning where ideas come from. “I also learned how to fully form and present ideas – this helped me bring products to life. Using these techniques in different ways and presenting to important stakeholders will really help my development.”
Her biggest takeaway was how to present those ideas with impact. “Presenting skills – coming up with the physical prototype and then telling the story. I feel that this process gives the presentation more authenticity and strength, getting the message across in a clearer fashion.”
The highlight?
“Competing with the other teams,” she said. “The element of competition gave us extra incentive to come up with the best idea and make the best product. This might not have been by design, but… it made it more enjoyable for me.”
Becoming an Innovation Ambassador:
“I’m very proud! I mention it all of the time. When I do something good, I say it is because I’m an Innovation Ambassador. It has improved my confidence to put ideas forward and run with projects.”
To anyone thinking about signing up:
“I’d say do it! There is nothing to lose and everything is there for your development.”
Final thoughts?
“The sessions were well set out and well paced. I managed to stay on track through sessions. I didn’t feel like I needed prior knowledge of what innovation is to enjoy the programme.”
Megan Clark
Through hands-on work and fresh skills in project management, Megan learned to turn prototypes into powerful pitches and bring new ideas to life.
Engineering Fitter Apprentice & Innovation Ambassador at MBDA
Megan Clark first heard about the Innovation Literacy Programme through her workplace assessor. While she’d always had an innovative mindset, particularly in engineering, she hadn’t made direct links between her ideas, strategy, and product development.
“The programme really helped with communicating things in a corporate way,” Megan said. “My main strength is building things, and the programme helped with contextualising ideas.”
During the programme, Megan developed strong project management skills, especially around planning and time management. “The sessions we did around physically displaying your ideas and presenting your product also aided my development.”
The module that resonated most was Where Good Ideas Come From. “I found it very useful in terms of structuring my thoughts.”
One highlight for Megan was bringing her ideas to life through physical prototyping. “Physically building a prototype and using it to present in a pitch” was a key moment of the experience.
Now, as an Innovation Ambassador, Megan feels better equipped to contribute to her team and her company. “It means a lot. I feel like I can aid the development of others in my company by sharing this knowledge. I also feel like I can offer more to the company as an innovative engineer.”
To others considering the opportunity:
“Just do it! There are many benefits – one of these having extra gravitas with your employer. It can make you stand out.”
Final thoughts?
“It was fun, I really enjoyed it. Following on from attending the project showcase at the Lowry Theatre, I look forward to finding out how the project impacts the GM region.”
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