Projects
Welcome to our project portfolio, which includes research support, projects consultancy and digital guides., a sample of which are below. Please get in touch if you would like any further information. See our events page or socials for networking events and workshops.
CITB Wales Apprenticeship guides for employers and individuals. Welsh version also available.
Green Jobs Foundation - Are Green Jobs for Everyone? Research Report
This report commissioned by the Green Jobs Foundation explores the challenges and opportunities in making green jobs accessible to all. While demand for green skills is rising, barriers such as unclear job definitions, skills gaps, and limited entry pathways prevent many from accessing these roles. The report highlights the need for clearer career routes, inclusive training programs, and employer-led investment in workforce development. It calls for urgent action to bridge policy and implementation gaps, ensuring that green jobs contribute to both economic growth and a just transition for workers across all sectors.
Project Type: Research Report
Date: October 2024 - present
Location: National
Role: Subcontracted research team, Vicki Lead Researcher, Author Sarah Stone
Links: https://www.greenjobsfoundation.org/
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Centre for Living with Climate Change - Research project
We are proud to support the Centre for Living with Climate Change (CLICC), a key research initiative within the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS). This project, funded by DEFRA and led by the University of Chester, focuses on sustainable water management, flood resilience, and regional growth.
Our role is to provide research support, contributing to a comprehensive literature review, stakeholder engagement, and identifying training and education pathways in climate resilience and water management. By bridging research and action, we help ensure that communities, businesses, and policymakers have the knowledge and skills needed to tackle climate-related water challenges.
To learn more subscribe for the CLICC newsletter here
Project Type: Research and stakeholder engagement
Date: November 2024 - present
Location: Shropshire & Powys
Role: Subcontracted research team Vicki with Sarah Clayton
Links:
Building the Future Workforce: A Guide for Construction Employers in the
South West
This guide, produced by CITB in partnership with BizEd Projects, offers essential support for construction employers in the South West. It provides insights on tackling skills shortages, recruiting apprentices, and accessing training and funding opportunities. With a focus on workforce growth, sustainability, and diversity, the guide highlights grants, employer networks, and on-site training hubs. It also connects businesses with local education providers, helping them build a skilled and resilient workforce for the future.
Project Type: Design, Development and Creation of Prototype Guide
Date: October 2024 to present
Location: South West
Role: Lead Product Designer
Building the Future Workforce: A Guide for Construction Employers in the West Midlands *updated Jan 2025
Listen live to a podcast version produced in Google LLM!
This guide, developed by CITB in partnership with BizEd Projects, provides essential insights for construction employers in the West Midlands. It highlights recruitment challenges, skills shortages, and the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the sector. Covering topics like apprenticeships, work placements, sustainability initiatives, and Section 106 requirements, the guide helps businesses attract and develop new talent. It also provides details on funding, training opportunities, and strategies to support workforce growth while meeting industry demands.
Project Type: Design, Development and Creation of Prototype Guide
Date: October 2023 to present
Location: West Midlands
Role: Lead Product Designer
Case Study: Gauge19 & BizEd – A Collaborative Approach to Emerging Talent and Technology
Gauge19 first engaged with BizEd seeking insights into the skills of emerging talent and their relationship with technology. As discussions evolved, we realised a strong alignment in our objectives—helping emerging talent step into meaningful roles while advancing technology-driven solutions. We recognised that new talent brings fresh perspectives but often needs structured support to thrive in tech-focused roles. BizEd’s expertise in skills development and education provided a unique opportunity to bridge this gap. This collaboration led to Sebastian, a graduate volunteer at BizEd to join Gauge19 to support the delivery of an Innovate UK grant, focusing on knowledge mapping—an essential component of our product suite. How this has relationship has benefited Gauge 19: Talent Integration: Sebastian took ownership of developing our knowledge mapping approach, shaping it into a core feature of Gauge19’s offering. Real-World Testing: BizEd facilitated a stress-testing event in Whitchurch, engaging the local community to trial key features. Their team provided invaluable guidance on terminology and user-friendly approaches, ensuring inclusivity for all participants, regardless of IT experience. Ongoing Collaboration: Sebastian is co-located at BizEd’s Whitchurch office, where he interacts with others, shares experiences, and continues to contribute to community initiatives. His insights help Gauge19 refine its products with a strong user-centric approach. Future Plans: As our relationship with BizEd deepens, we are exploring further collaboration and research opportunities to drive innovation and support emerging talent.
CITB Wales Apprenticeship guides for employers and individuals. Welsh version also available.
Project Type: Skills, research and recruitment
Date: October 2024 - present
Location: Whitchurch, Shropshire
Role: Workplace mentor, cowork and research support
Links: https://www.lorefully.com/
Climate Education Partnership bringing climate skills to the Shropshire community
Working with local climate fresk facilitators to offer back office support to coordinate climate fresks across the county and wider region.
This includes a dedicated mailbox, website, payment processing and invoicing, event bookings - freeing up some time for the facilitators and enabling our team to also become part of this brilliant network.
We aspire to keep growing this in collaboration with local leaders Sarah and Sue to reach even more people across the wider area,
A special thanks to Marches Energy Agency who have supported 15 community workshops since November reaching over 200 people!
Please see our webpage for further information.
Project Type: Community climate inclusion
Date: November 2024 - present
Location: Shropshire, Wales and West Midlands
Role: Providing background office support and training as facilitators
Links: Community climate
Whitchurch FoundHer Network - Empowering rural women in business and community
Whitchurch has lacked any sort of business network since covid. Seeing an opportunity to create a female focussed network, we were lucky enough to secure sponsorship from Freedom Fibre to get kick started.
Due to Whitchurch's rurality we draw from 15 mile radius attracting a wide range of businesses and organisations.
We run workshops and networking events,
currently meeting monthly and 25 members already! We hope to strengthen this over the next 12 months thanks to continued support from Freedom Fibre. Why not join us?
Project Type: Network set up and support
Date: September 2024 to present
Location: Whitchurch
Role: Lead Product Designer
Digital Skills Hub - Digital Literacy and Inclusion
With funding from Shropshire Council, Good Things Foundation, Whitchurch Town Council and boot strapped by BizEd, we have established a digital hub 2 days a week, become an online centre and recruited a dedicated coordinator and team of volunteers.
Every Wednesday and Friday we offer free support, access to devices and wifi from our offices or in the market hall. So far we have supported 35 learners 1:1 with 8hrs support and over 75 people have taken part in our drop ins. We have also donated devices and data and now have a waiting list.
We have also run a number of popular digital upskillig workshops for small businesses including social media, intro to AI and others with our team and partners such as SBC training and School of Coding.
We are looking to expand our digital support services in terms of training, space and availability over the coming months to support more people in digital poverty.
Project Type: Community digital inclusion
Date: March 2024 to present
Location: Whitchurch, Shropshire
Role: Digital Skills Provider
Link: Digital Skills
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CITB Wales Apprenticeship guides for employers and individuals. Welsh version also available.
CITB Wales Apprenticeship guides for employers and individuals. Welsh version also available.
This guide is one of 4, created by CITB in partnership with BizEd Projects, provides essential information for construction employers in Wales looking to hire apprentices. Covering everything from funding and grants to finding candidates and approved training providers, it highlights how apprenticeships can help businesses grow while securing a skilled workforce for the future. With new degree apprenticeships launching in 2024, employers now have even more opportunities to develop talent and strengthen the industry. We also produced a 2nd version for individuals.
Project Type: Digital Guide
Date: Jan 2024 - Updated July 2024
Location: Wales
Role: Lead Product Designer
Links: Employers Guide (English) https://heyzine.com/flip-book/citbWalesApprenticeshipEmployerGuide
CITB - Prentisiaethau yng Nghymru https://heyzine.com/flip-book/citbCymruPrentisiaethauyngNghymru
Individuals Guide (English)
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/citbapprenticeships.html
CITB Prentisiaethau Adeiladu
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/PrentisiaethauAdeiladu.html
No Wrong Door: South London Skills & Employment Guide
Podcast version available here!
This e-guide provides a comprehensive overview of employment and skills support available across South London. Covering everything from job search resources and digital skills training to apprenticeships and career change support, it aims to simplify the often complex employment landscape. Designed for job seekers, career switchers, and those facing barriers to work, the guide connects individuals with local services, training opportunities, and tailored support to help them find sustainable employment.
Project Type: Design, Development and Creation of Prototype Guide
Date: September 2024
Location: South London
Role: Lead Product Designer
Link: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/nwdslp.html
Work and Health Research Report
The NHS Work Well Partnership Programme (WWPP) was designed to support individuals facing health-related barriers to employment by integrating health and employability services. The report highlights the programme’s impact in helping people with long-term health conditions, disabilities, and mental health challenges gain access to tailored employment support.
Our role involved research support in evaluating the programme's effectiveness, identifying best practices, and recommending improvements for future work and health initiatives.
Key findings emphasize the importance of cross-sector collaboration, early intervention, and personalized support in improving employment outcomes for those facing health challenges.
By addressing these barriers, the WWPP has contributed to more inclusive and sustainable employment pathways, demonstrating the value of integrated work and health approaches at both local and national levels.
“The BizEd team supported South London Partnership to complete a detailed analysis of the relationship between health provision and skills and employment in South London, not only a comprehensive report identifying gaps and opportunities but fantastic visuals. I’ve got a copy of the visuals open in my notebook most days as reference, and it’s my go to when I need to clarify my thinking on the complex systems included within it.”
📩 Contact us for insights on this research and its impact.
Project Type: Research Report
Date: Mar - July 2024
Location: London
Role: Research Project Lead & Co-Author with Sarah Stone
No Wrong Door Toolkit: Inclusive Pathways to Employment
This toolkit highlights how employers can remove barriers to work for disabled and neurodivergent individuals. By promoting inclusive hiring and workplace support, it helps businesses tap into diverse talent, creating a more equitable and accessible job market for all.
Project Type: Design, Development and Creation of Prototype Guide
Date: August 2023
Location: South London
Role: Project Owner
Green Careers Guide - Marches Education Partnership
Commissioned by Marches Education Partnership to research, design and produce a careers guide for Net Zero as an ebook and interactive pdf.
Project Type: Digital Guide
Date: March 2023
Location: Marches, West Midlands
Role: Lead Product Designer
Social Value Toolkit Construction, South London Partnership
Building upon the existing work of AllTogetherNow, development and co-creation of a social value toolkit to help construction employers in South London
Project Type: Creation and Design of Project
Date: November 2022
Location: South London
Role: Project Lead
Link: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/slp
Anthropy
Supporting John O'Brien, founder of Anthropy and Andreas Kolind, Director of Costa Rica Developments for Eden Project with a 3 day launchpad event at the Eden Project, November 2022.
This was a intense period of development activity, building up between September and November. Principle work involved the communication with VIP guests to confirm content and attendance as well as supporting development of session content and working with other volunteer team members to deliver a successful event.
Project Type: Project and Event Support
Date: November 2022 and November 2023
Location: Eden project
Role: Project Support
Link: Anthropy25
#ALLTOGETHERNOW
Created and designed by Vicki from BizEd - this guide is where it all began. A quarterly edition, place-based guide, helping employers understand the talent and training options on their doorstep and sharing information about different pathways across community, voluntary and training. Take a look at different options based on outcome, age and type of programme in the Route Summary, see what other employers have to say in the case studies and then connect directly to the local provider in the directory.
Project Type: Design, Development and Creation of Prototype Guide
Date: April 2022 to present
Location: Marches (Shropshire, Telford & Hereford)
Role: Project Owner