Build practical innovation capability today – to use for tomorrow’s work
Certificate in Applied Innovation
The Certificate in Applied Innovation helps you learn modern innovation methods and apply them to real problems — either individually or as a cohort from the same organisation.
It’s a structured, hands-on programme designed to build confidence, creativity, and problem-solving capability, with a clear pathway from discovery through to testing.
This course is well-suited to people earlier in their careers who want practical skills that strengthen their professional toolkit and improve how they approach complex work.
The certificate signals that you can apply established innovation methods to real challenges — useful for CVs and career progression.
Duration
Flexible, based on group bookings
Format
In-person or online
Group size
Small cohort
Price
POA
Location
Delivered anywhere for group bookings
Certificate
Creative HQ Certificate in Applied Innovation
Expressions of Interest open for 2026
861
people trained
13
countries represented by participants
9.1/10
NPS
(net promoter score) average across all School of Innovation courses
87%
report being more capable, confident and connected after the course
What you’ll learn
- How modern innovation methodologies (Lean, Agile, Design Thinking) work in practice.
- Techniques for discovering insights, mapping problems and identifying opportunities.
- Structured ideation tools for generating practical, human-centred solutions.
- How to assess market potential and validate assumptions.
- The build–measure–learn cycle and how to run rapid tests.
- How to apply innovation tools back in your workplace, not just in a classroom.
This mix of frameworks, practical activities and team learning helps you deepen your creative problem-solving ability.
As an introvert, I don’t usually find group learning energising — but this cohort was something else. I felt comfortable, supported, and inspired by the people around me, and I’m excited about the new connections and friendships forged.
I genuinely believe this course should be something organisations bring to their teams. Not as a formality, but as a way to shake up ingrained ways of thinking and spark real change from the inside out.
Joana K.
-Workshop participant
Across a series of workshops, you work through the core stages of the innovation process:
Foundation
Understanding innovation principles and problem-solving approaches
Discovery
Exploring user needs and uncovering insights
Ideation
Generating ideas using structured tools and workshop activities
Market Potential
Assessing viability, feasibility and fit
Build–Measure–Learn
Testing ideas quickly and learning from evidence
Applied innovation capability is increasingly valuable for workplaces dealing with complexity, change and uncertainty. It helps people:
- Work more creatively.
- Make decisions based on evidence.
- Communicate ideas clearly.
- Test and refine solutions.
- Collaborate effectively across teams.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a theory-heavy course?
No. It focuses on applied learning — using tools, running activities and working on real challenges.
Do I need a background in innovation?
No. The course is designed to be accessible for beginners while still valuable for those with some experience who are looking to sharpen their skills.
How flexible is the duration?
Very. The programme can be delivered as a multi-week cadence, a concentrated block or a customised format for teams.
What kinds of challenges can we work on?
Anything meaningful to your workplace — customer problems, service issues, process gaps or internal opportunities.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes. You’ll receive the Creative HQ Certificate in Applied Innovation upon completion.
Can our organisation book the course for our whole team?
Yes. Group bookings can be delivered in-person or online, anywhere.
Meet your facilitators
Nedra Fu
GM School of Innovation
Chris O’Neill
Senior Innovation Specialist
Dr. Colin Kennedy
Chief Growth Officer
If you’re interested in completing a Certificate in Applied Innovation course, please express your interest below.