Digital Futures Cornwall Launches New CPD Tools for Businesses

Businesses across Cornwall are being urged to “Power Up Your People” and invest in team development ahead of major changes to training support in 2026.

Digital Futures Cornwall, led by Truro and Penwith College, has launched two new interactive tools designed to help employers plan their continuing professional development and strengthen their digital readiness for the year ahead.

New Tools to Plan for 2026

The first tool is a digital scorecard. The five minute questionnaire helps businesses identify skills gaps and assess their digital readiness for resilience and growth. Each business receives a tailored result with recommendations for next steps in building a CPD plan, along with signposting to additional business support.

The second is an online dashboard built in Microsoft Power BI. It provides an at a glance overview of the potential return on investment for businesses budgeting for workforce development.

The tools have been launched as part of the Power Up Your People campaign, encouraging employers to make strategic decisions about upskilling and investing in their teams at a time when funding available to Cornwall is diminishing.

“Time Is Running Out”

Jenny Gramnes, SPF Contract Manager at Truro & Penwith College, which delivers Digital Futures Cornwall, said:

“The landscape of support for businesses to access funded staff development is dramatically changing in 2026.

“Time is running out to access free or low-cost training under schemes such as the Shared Prosperity Fund, which ends its funding cycle on 31 March 2026. Going forward, it will become even more important for businesses to plan ahead for what their training needs might be, and to ensure that enough budget has been set aside for staff development.”

Jenny added:

“We wanted to develop some tools to support businesses with their resource planning. They are fun and interactive but also lead to opportunities to work with Digital Futures Cornwall and the Growth Hub to cement staff development as part of their strategy for success.”

The tools were co created with members of the Digital Futures Cornwall partnership, including Cornwall Council, Tech Cornwall and Truro & Penwith College.

Case Study: 108 Coffee in Truro

The campaign features case studies from businesses that have benefited from training with Digital Futures Cornwall, including 108 Coffee in Truro.

Charlie and Dava Wilson recorded their best month yet in October 2025 in five years of running their high street business, after completing digital marketing training with Truro and Penwith College.

Charlie said:

“Digital Futures Cornwall has been a huge help to us. I would encourage any business in Cornwall to Power Up their People and get involved.”

Support from the Growth Hub

Bethany Allen, Business Support Manager at Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub, said:

“Alongside trying out these interactive tools, we would encourage any business who is considering how to get the best from their people in 2026 to get in touch with the Growth Hub.

“We have expert Business Connectors on hand to help identify the skills you need now, and in the future, and can introduce you to the right support, at the right time for your business.”

Businesses can try the new tools on the Digital Futures Cornwall website here:
https://www.digitalfuturescornwall.co.uk/about/power-up-your-people/

AI and Digital Workshops in March

Further training is available during March to help Cornwall’s businesses harness AI and digital tools.

Delivered by Digital Peninsula Network, the two hour online workshops cover AI and Search Engine Optimisation, Instagram and YouTube, and AI for Marketing. The sessions are described as practical and hands on, focusing on content creation, improving online presence and using social media effectively.

Upcoming dates include:

• AI & Search Engine Optimisation online workshop – 2 March: https://www.digitalpeninsula.org/webinar-ai-and-seo

• AI for Marketing online workshop – 16 March: https://www.digitalpeninsula.org/booking-now-webinar-ai-marketing

• Instagram & YouTube online workshop – 19 March: https://www.digitalpeninsula.org/webinar_instagram_and_youtube

Digital Futures Cornwall is part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and led by Truro and Penwith College. The project has received £1,574,740 in funding.

More information is available at: https://www.digitalfuturescornwall.co.uk