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College Community Innovation Supports Local Businesses with Digital Adoption

15 April 2026

Halesowen College is proud to announce the launch of Halesowen Community Innovation (HCI), a brand-new service designed to help local SMEs and micro-business owners navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape and bridge the digital gap in our region.

Halesowen Community Innovation offers a range of services tailored to meet the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-businesses. A free audit and consultancy service is available, providing expert advice on:

Artificial Intelligence
Cyber Security
Software Automation
Web Development and Server Network Architecture
General Digital Innovation

As part of the wider Halesowen Community Innovation service capabilities your business can be supported through:

Business Information Events: unbiased guidance and free advice to help you navigate the complex digital landscape.
Decision-Making Support: assisting business and organisations in selecting the right tools and platforms suited to business needs.
Cyber Security Hardening: consider the potential security risks and receive professional guidance, including referrals to trusted local vendors for in-depth analysis.
Staff Training and Upskilling: equip your team with skills to utilise digital tools, such as ChatGPT, Co-Pilot and Microsoft 365, helping optimise business outputs and reduce costs.

Led by Richard Johnson, Halesowen Community Innovation is a commitment to providing local businesses and organisations with the tools they need to thrive. Unbiased and practical advice will be provided to ensure businesses and organisations make informed decisions without falling for overhyped trends.

If you are a business owner eager to adopt cutting-edge technology but unsure where to start, contact Halesowen College today to begin a digital transformation journey.

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Artificial Intelligence
Cyber Security
Software Automation
Web Development and Server Network Architecture
General Digital Innovation

As part of the wider Halesowen Community Innovation service capabilities your business can be supported through:

Business Information Events: unbiased guidance and free advice to help you navigate the complex digital landscape.
Decision-Making Support: assisting business and organisations in selecting the right tools and platforms suited to business needs.
Cyber Security Hardening: consider the potential security risks and receive professional guidance, including referrals to trusted local vendors for in-depth analysis.
Staff Training and Upskilling: equip your team with skills to utilise digital tools, such as ChatGPT, Co-Pilot and Microsoft 365, helping optimise business outputs and reduce costs.

If you are a business owner eager to adopt cutting-edge technology but unsure where to start, contact Halesowen College today to begin a digital transformation journey.

Richard Johnson said “With the fast-moving pace of technology there is a clear digital divide opening up in our communities. This has been shown in a recent report conducted by leading agencies such as the West Midlands Combined Authority. Halesowen College has taken this opportunity to create an initiative to support local businesses and its residents to bridge this gap. The aim of this project is to deliver much needed training opportunities and advice to businesses owners on the range of benefits provided by AI, automation and digital technology at large.”

Principal and Chief Executive of Halesowen College, Jacquie Carman further added, “The digital revolution is gaining pace and changing lives. Rich Johnson and his team are at the vanguard of technology and will work with students, employers and the wider community to enable us to understand and harness the positive advantage of AI and other emerging technologies. “Launching Halesowen Community Innovation demonstrates our commitment as a college in ensuring that our area has the digital tools and knowledge they need to be efficient and agile in a dynamic and competitive landscape.”