HOVIP - Heads of the Valley Innovation Programme

Heads of the Valley Innovation Programme

A Unique Opportunity to Become More Profitable

Testimonials

"The most useful aspect of the workshop was being able to define opportunities before wasting time and money getting nowhere."

K. Paine, Kenneth Paine & Company

Practice Enterprise Network

EUROPEN – PEN INTERNATIONAL is a non-profit making organisation and worldwide practice firms network with over 5500 practice firms in 42 countries.

A practice firm is a virtual company and a centre of vocational learning that runs like a 'real' business. Each practice firm trades locally and globally with other practice firms.

Coleg Morgannwg hold the UK franchise, which they have called EGNI (Energy Generating New Innovation), for this global initiative. EGNI is relevant to students and businesses as student-based practice firms are linked to real 'mentor businesses'.

Opportunities for HoV Colleges:

  • HOVIP will subsidise the creation of practice firm websites
  • Practice firms must be linked to mentor businesses based in the Valleys
  • HOVIP will help Colleges identify mentor businesses

Opportunities for businesses based in the Valleys:

  • Act as a mentor business for an agreed College practice firm
  • Provide agreed support (e.g. visits, procedures, business advice)
  • Student resource and publicity for your business

What to do next:

Contact Christine Thomas, UK EGNI Co-ordinator, Coleg Morgannwg (01685 887 500) or HOVIP 01685 725 469.

  • BT
  • HSBC Bank plc
  • NGB
  • NESTA
  • Wales Quality Centre

Heads of the Valleys Innovation Programme (HOVIP) aims to increase the capacity for innovation in businesses in the region. Phase 1 was KEF ESF Funded and hosted by Merthyr Tydfil College. HOVIP2 is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government HoV Regeneration initiative and is hosted by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.