SEED (Strategic Employer Engagement in Devon)

<p><strong>2017-2020</strong><br /></p> <p dir="ltr">Strategic Employer Engagement in Devon (SEED) was a <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/plymouth-college-of-art-joins-5-8-million-project-to-drive-up-employee-skil">partnership project</a> part-financed by European Social Fund (ESF) and delivered by Arts University Plymouth in partnership with University of Plymouth, City College Plymouth, University of Exeter, South Devon College, Petroc.</p> <p dir="ltr">SEED worked with SMEs across the region to strengthen higher-level vocational education and training, through increasing the number of employees undertaking training that directly relates to their work needs. </p> <p dir="ltr">The project built on Government policy to develop a demand-led skills system with employers shaping provision to meet their requirements. Through enhancing employees’ skills through CPD, the project aimed to also stimulate the development of new products, services and productivity.</p> <p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth’s SEED activity was delivered via the university’s Fab Lab and provided SMEs with free training to support their growth and viability. Arts University Plymouth’s Fab Lab team worked closely with ten diverse SMEs over the course of two years.</p> <p dir="ltr">For example, Arts University Plymouth provided training to one SME to enable them to design, communicate, prototype, and accelerate the development of their equipment in-house using 3D computer aided design and additive manufacturing. In feedback following their training, they stated that working with Arts University Plymouth via the SEED project was transformational for them, allowing them to develop their technology far more rapidly, getting to market earlier and at a lower investment cost.<br /></p>