The Kent and Medway engineering, design, growth, and enterprise (EDGE) Hub

About EDGE Hub

EDGE Hub addresses the current challenges faced by companies in Kent and Medway by providing innovative solutions to enable them to thrive. This initiative introduces a new and exciting model to deliver STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, enterprise, and research, aimed at expanding the region's inward investment potential.

Economic Impact

EDGE Hub is projected to contribute between £7.6 million and £11.4 million per year to the Kent and Medway economy. By the end of 2024, it aims to inject 1,250 highly-skilled engineering and technology graduates into the local workforce, significantly bolstering the region's talent pool.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Hub is committed to creating a sustainable and diverse regional talent pool, 30 to 40% of our graduates to come from disadvantaged backgrounds and 30 to 35% are identifying as women. This focus on inclusivity ensures a broad range of perspectives and skills within the local economy.

Educational Partnerships

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is a leading and active partner in this initiative, playing a crucial role in engaging with Kent and Medway’s schools and colleges. Through strong outreach and engagement initiatives, CCCU inspires thousands of children to pursue higher education. The university also holds the STEM Learning schools network contract, STEM Hub, for the South East and is a member of the national WISE campaign, the international CDIO community, and Primary Engineer’s education partner for the South East.

Funding and Support

EDGE Hub is supported by multimillion-pound funding from several prestigious organisations, including the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, the former Higher Education Funding Council for England, and the Garfield Weston Foundation. This significant financial backing underscores the confidence in EDGE Hub’s potential to drive economic growth and educational excellence in the region.

Skills for industry and CPD

EDGE Hub offers a variety of opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) and short courses to help individuals and industry professionals enhance their skills, stay current with industry trends, and meet professional standards.

The diverse expertise of our EDGE Hub team is being harnessed to promote skills development in industry, particularly in the context of Industry 4.0 and the wider digital transformation agenda.

Degree courses span biomedical, chemical, mechanical, product design, and software engineering, alongside technology degrees in business information systems, computer forensics and security, computer science, and computing.

We have designed a comprehensive programme of Industry 4.0-focused continuing professional development (CPD) sessions. Bespoke CPD, delivered on location in businesses and in our new EDGE Hub facilities is entirely responsive to business and industry needs.

Workshops and seminars

Regular workshops and seminars are run by industry experts and academics from the University. These activities are geared towards both updating and broadening the knowledge of your workforce and provide a platform to meet and exchange ideas with peers from different sectors.

Bespoke training

As we recognise businesses and organisations have unique requirements, we also offer customised training. Content is tailored to your specific organisational needs and can be delivered either in-house or at our Canterbury Campus.

Find out more about how we've transformed our Canterbury Campus.

Our Engineering Higher Degree Apprenticeships are designed to address regional engineering skills shortages and sector diversity and have been identified and developed with industry to support local businesses to ‘grow their own’ graduate engineering workforce.

Apprentices will be supported not only to gain the relevant manual dexterity and technical knowledge, but also to develop occupational behaviours, including a problem-solving orientation, a safety mindset, good communication skills, and adaptability.

• Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship - BEng (Hons) Manufacturing Engineering
• Science Industry Process/Plant Engineer Degree Apprenticeship - BEng (Hons) Process Engineering.

Find out more about our apprenticeships here. 

We are educating future generations of engineers with the natural talent and creative potential to succeed. We are also creating a diverse workforce of highly-skilled graduates in the region who will bring the relevant skills to embrace digital transformation in industry. Employers can access this emerging student talent through live industry projects and student placements.

Incubator projects, undertaken by students and supported by academic and business expertise, can provide important and innovative solutions, particularly for businesses that might not have readily available time or in-house resources.

Work-based placements, either year-long or shorter, provide learning opportunities for students while offering businesses additional resource, skills, and fresh insight.

Find out more about how you can access our students and graduates.

Equip the new generation of students with the skills and passion for STEM success through our diverse courses, resources, and expert support. At EDGE Hub, we aim to spark curiosity and nurture creativity, preparing students for their future careers.

Exciting Regional School Competitions

EDGE Hub is the central point for a variety of thrilling regional school competitions. We engage students with innovative challenges such as Primary Engineers and Formula One in Schools, providing unique opportunities to explore the world of STEM. Our activities include immersive residential workshops and numerous events, each designed to ignite passion and develop essential skills in young learners.

Collaborations and Activities

Working closely with the STEM Hub, EDGE Hub supports Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) in hosting all regional outreach competitions, including:

• F1 in Schools: Encouraging teamwork and engineering skills through the excitement of Formula One.
• Residential Workshops in Engineering: Offering hands-on experiences to deepen understanding and inspire future engineers.
• Lego Competitions: Combining creativity and technical skills in a fun, competitive environment.
• Primary Engineers: Introducing young students to the fundamentals of engineering through engaging projects.

The EDGE Hub is designed in collaboration with regional employers and industry to provide technologies and spaces for groundbreaking innovation and pioneering research. It supports businesses, emerging entrepreneurs, and innovators in transforming ideas from concept to market. This interactive and creative space encourages collaboration among engineers, doctors, nurses, designers, and life sciences students.

Discover the Verena Holmes Building

The Verena Holmes Building is a cornerstone of a dynamic hub-and-spoke model, featuring distributed centers of excellence across Kent and Medway, making it easily accessible for businesses. This includes existing satellite sites at Discovery Park in Sandwich and connections to the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University’s Medway Campus in Chatham.

Specialised Facilities

• Photography and Music Studios
• Exhibition Spaces
• Health Simulation Suites
• Sports Science Laboratories

Expert Academics and Research

Our academics are continuously engaged in groundbreaking research and development projects. Access their expertise to advance your ideas and drive your business forward.

Consultancy Services

Our consultancy services offer a comprehensive range of solutions, including:

• Operations and Strategic Planning
• Financial Management
• IT and Human Resources
• Clinical Consultancy for Community Projects
• Social and Economic Impact Studies
• Engineering
• Computer Science

Through initiatives like the EDGE Hub, businesses can engage in innovative projects and address real-world engineering challenges. Examples include:

• Designing advanced commercial vehicle locks
• Evaluating wellbeing programs
• Conducting social and economic impact studies

Getting Started with Consultancy

Consultancy costs vary depending on the project's scope and duration, from short-term evaluations to long-term, cross-disciplinary collaborations. To access these services, contact our consultancy team at b2b@canterbury.ac.uk for an initial consultation.

Why Choose Us?

• Unique access to academic and industry experts
• Cost-effective solutions leveraging university resources
• Strong emphasis on innovation
• Extensive networks
• Rapid project turnaround

Research Services

Our research services cover a wide array of fields, including:

• Market and Product Research
• Social and Technical Research
• Policy Research

Examples of research projects include:

• Developing new commercial vehicle locks with AMC Ltd and TVL Ltd
• Evaluating the impact of Turner Contemporary on the local economy
• Providing insights for Musical Walkabout CIC

Getting Started with Research

Research costs vary based on complexity and duration, typically ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of pounds. To request research, contact our research team at edgehub@canterbury.ac.uk or b2b@canterbury.ac.uk, submit a detailed research proposal, and engage in an initial consultation to refine objectives and methodology.

Enhance your business with the cutting-edge expertise and innovative solutions from Canterbury Christ Church University and the EDGE Hub.

At EDGE Hub, we partner with industry leaders to drive development in engineering, design, and enterprise. Our collaboration fosters innovation and positions the South East of England as a leader in industry sectors.

Our Mission and Impact

Discover how we are building a sustainable and diverse talent pool to support the future success of the regional workforce. Our initiatives focus on future-proofing industries and fostering a culture of innovation.

Cutting-Edge Projects

• Immersive Center: Pioneering new experiences through immersive technologies.
• Data Lab: Harnessing big data to drive smart, data-driven decision making.
• EDGE Toolkit: Providing essential EDI resources and tools for our graduates.

Strategic Partnerships

• Growing in Kent and Medway: Expanding regional capabilities and opportunities.
• South East Wise Hub: Leading the charge in sustainable development and innovation.
• Creative Innovation Hub: Cultivating creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in the region.

Find out more about the EDGE Hub and be a part of a forward-thinking community dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and the future success of our industries.