Local businesses can receive free digital BOOST
New ARU Peterborough course covers subjects ranging from AI to social media
University House at ARU Peterborough. Photo by Richard Fraser Photography
ARU Peterborough is now offering free digital skills training to local businesses, thanks to funding of over £300,000 secured by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
BOOST (Business Optimising Online Skills Training) is designed for small businesses, or anyone interested in starting their own business, based in Peterborough and the surrounding region.
ARU Peterborough’s BOOST programme, which has received £309,000 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, begins on 29 January, with online tuition taking place weekly.
The two-hour live tutorials are scheduled for 1-3pm every Wednesday and will be jointly run by an ARU Peterborough academic and an industry expert.
Each online class will cover a different topic with subjects ranging from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, and from cloud storage to how businesses can get the most out of social media.
The programme lasts 10-12 weeks, depending on the stage of the participant’s own business, and will end with an in-person celebration event at ARU Peterborough’s city centre campus, where people can share their experiences and network with others from their course.
“We’re delighted to receive this grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – with support from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and Peterborough City Council – to enable us to offer this important programme.
“BOOST is a brilliant addition to our range of business-focused skills courses. Alongside our expanding portfolio of career-focused undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, ARU Peterborough academics already support the delivery of courses including Help to Grow and the Small & Mighty Enterprise programme.
“BOOST is completely free to all small business owners in Peterborough and the surrounding region, it takes place online, so it can fit around other business priorities, and is designed to help businesses improve their digital skills with a view to enhancing productivity and providing a ‘boost’ to the local economy.”
Professor Tom Williamson, Assistant Principal at ARU Peterborough
“This fantastic opportunity for small business leaders is a great example of what Shared Prosperity funding is meant to do; boost local businesses, grow our economy, and unlock opportunity. It’s particularly rewarding to see BOOST hosted at ARU Peterborough, one of our flagship projects, and showing further the university’s wider role in supporting growth and ambition in the city.”
Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and PeterboroughIn 2022, the government announced that the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority area would receive £9,872,624 in funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – of which £2,525,417 was allocated to Peterborough.
The Combined Authority worked with Peterborough City Council to identify a range of projects to foster economic growth and support communities, one of which is the BOOST programme.
“We’re delighted to be launching this UK Shared Prosperity Funded project with the Combined Authority and ARU Peterborough.
“The BOOST programme represents a significant investment in our business community. This free course is designed to equip businesses with the most current developments – whether you’re an established SME or budding entrepreneur, you can enhance your business skills and create a competitive edge.”
Cllr Nick Thulbourn, Cabinet Member for Growth and Regeneration at Peterborough City CouncilARU Peterborough is a partnership between Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Peterborough City Council and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
Get further information about the BOOST programme and register.