Program Overview

BOOST (Business Optimising Online Skills Training)

Overview

FREE online course. Develop the digital and AI skills needed to run a business and create a competitive edge, with our course for start-ups, small companies and SMEs in the Peterborough region.

Full Description

Designed to equip you with both the fundamentals of best business practice and an understanding of the most current developments affecting businesses, such as AI, cloud storage, and cybersecurity, our Boost training course, funded by the CPCA, offers either 10- or 12-week options, starting in January 2025.

In a weekly, two-hour online live seminar (also available on-demand) you will learn about:

• Business planning
• Growth strategies
• Finance and operations
• Digital marketing
• Artificial intelligence
• Social media
• The cloud and cyber security
• E-commerce
• Understanding your business data and much more.

Details of the weekly seminars can be found below.

You’ll hear from industry experts, access case studies from a range of relevant businesses, receive practical bite-sized training on useful software such as MS Office and benefit from the networking opportunities the course presents.

Upon completion of the course, you’ll enjoy an in-person celebration event at ARU Peterborough’s stunning campus on Bishops Road, Peterborough and meet the other course participants.

Weekly Seminar Topics

A weekly live webinar will take place covering the topics below. All webinars run from 1–3pm on Wednesdays, but are also recorded to view on demand should the live session not work around your business needs.

• 29/01/25: Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Business Planning (12-week option)
• 05/02/25: Legal, Financial, and Operational Foundations (12-week option)
• 12/02/25: Introduction to Digital Transformation and Productivity
• 19/02/25: Building a Digital Strategy for Growth
• 26/02/25: Productivity Tools for Everyday Tasks
• 05/03/25: Cloud accounting and Making Tax Digital
• 12/03/25: Website Development, Optimisation, E-commerce, and Emerging Technologies
• 19/03/25: Social Media Marketing for Customer Engagement
• 26/03/25: Content Marketing, IP, and Email Marketing
• 02/04/25: Digital Advertising, Data Analytics, Reporting, and Revenue Insights
• 09/04/25: Digitising Business Operations
• 16/04/25: Cybersecurity, Data Protection, Business Continuity & IP
• 23/04/25: Cohort Celebration

Who Should Attend?

This free course is designed for all SMEs and budding entrepreneurs in the wider Peterborough region, including Sole Traders, Partnerships, Community Interest Companies, and Limited Companies, in any sector.

Dates

• The 12-week option for new/pre-startup businesses started on Wednesday 29 January 2025
• The 10-week option for established businesses started on Wednesday 12 February 2025

Where You'll Study

Where Can I Study?

Online

We offer a number of short courses and CPD programmes online.

Each week you will receive a link to join a live two-hour webinar delivered by ARU Peterborough academics, and experts from industry.

If you're unable to attend every seminar, or wish to review the session again, they will be recorded and available on-demand on a secure platform. In addition, there will be opportunities to network with the cohort, and meet in person at an end of programme celebration hosted at ARU Peterborough.

Fees & Funding

Course Fees

Fully Funded

£0

This course is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

You are responsible for ensuring you are compliant with De Minimus aid or state aid limits. Further details and declaration will be provided before the course commences.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course. It is open to start-ups (or those thinking about starting a business), small companies and SMEs in the wider Peterborough region, in any sector.