Boosting regional growth: EPNE launches fully funded digital marketing course for businesses

Taking care of your business. 

The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, which means it’s more important than ever for businesses to stay on top of upskilling their staff to enable growth. To address this demand, Education Partnership North East (EPNE) is launching a fully funded digital marketing training programme designed to help organisations in the region market their business online.  

A trusted partner in workforce development, EPNE is an Ofsted Outstanding rated training provider with a long history of working alongside regional employers to bridge skills gaps and support workforce planning. These programmes are the latest initiative in EPNE's ongoing commitment to strengthening businesses in our region by empowering its workforce. 

"An Introduction to Digital Marketing" is open to businesses from all sectors, including small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and charities. The programme focuses on upskilling existing staff members. By training the workforce already embedded within their organisations, businesses will save money on recruitment fees, keep up with industry changes, boost employee engagement and market their business effectively. Internal training builds loyal teams and fills skill gaps faster than external hiring. 

From the very first session, attendees will be able to apply skills and strategies they’ve learnt to improve the profile of their organisation, increasing awareness and sales.  

The curriculum is designed to help organisations: 

• Enhance their business profile: Improve public presence and digital footprint.  
• Increase interest: Generate high-quality leads and audience engagement. 
• Drive sales: Cultivate sustainable revenue streams and growth. 

To ensure the highest quality of instruction, the course is delivered by experienced marketing professionals who bring real-world insights and contemporary best practices into the classroom. 

Programme details and location

The sessions are locally accessible, making it easy for regional teams to attend: 

Date: Five session in total, running from 20th October – 8th December 2026 

Location: Sunderland College, Bede Campus, Durham Road, Sunderland SR3 4AH 

Eligibility: Available to all sectors, with a focus on SMEs and charities. 

Cost: No cost. Fully funded. 

By investing in the digital capabilities of their workforce, local businesses can build sustainable, in-house marketing expertise to increase business awareness, audience engagement and sales.  

If your organisation would benefit from digital marketing training, please register here.