Take a fresh look at skills in your business this year
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Did you know that the New Anglia Growth Hub can offer free advice for all your business skills needs? Whether you’re thinking about apprenticeships, looking for programmes to help upskill your team or want to talk through the best options for your business, our advisers are here to help.
Here our skills advisers, Lindsay and Anthony, highlight some key programmes which can help you develop skills in your business in 2022.
“There’s a wide range of skills programmes available for businesses. We understand that it can be hard to work out what is best for your needs, so we’re always happy to talk through the opportunities.
“Some of the programmes currently available include the Supply Chain Skills Development Fund. Available to SMEs in Norfolk and Suffolk, it’s a flexible training grant aimed at increasing skills and productivity to capitalise on infrastructure projects in our region.
“The grants of up to £1,000 per employee have to be matched 50:50 by the employer and can support up to five people in an organisation.
“There’s also subsidised training available through ICET (In Career Education and Training). Delivered through the University of Suffolk, it offers 50% funded leadership training. The courses available include agile project management, leadership for women and strategy for directors.
“Skills Bootcamps are another option. They’re available across Norfolk and Suffolk in construction, digital and HGV driving (Class C and/ or E).
“Skills Bootcamps are a government initiative which has been put in place to train thousands of people to help fill the most in-demand skills. They are designed to get people trained and into work quickly – with a 12-week maximum training programme.
“So, if you have vacancies to fill in those sectors, the bootcamps can help to connect you to unemployed people or those looking to retrain. Just speak to us for more information and we can connect you to a training provider who is delivering Bootcamps in our region.
“The Government’s Help to Grow programmes for SMEs are also still running.
“Help to Grow: Management is an executive programme which is delivered in partnership with leading UK Business Schools. It includes 50 hours of learning and development over 12 weeks in the format of online and case study workshops, 1:1 mentor support and Peer networking. Help to Grow Management is 90% government funded, with a remaining cost of £750 to be funded by the employer
“Launched in December 2021, Help to Grow: Digital has the aim of helping SMEs adopt digital technology to increase productivity. It will offer free, impartial advice via an online platform to help SMEs identify their technology needs, assess purchasing options and implement new technologies. Vouchers are expected to be available for software that help businesses to build customer relationships and increase sales, make the most of selling online and manage their accounts and finances digitally.”
For more details about any of these schemes, or to discuss any skills requirements in your business, speak to our advisers today on 0300 333 6536 or find out more about skills support from the New Anglia Growth Hub here.