Businesses are being encouraged to register their interest in the Government’s Help to grow programme, which was announced in this year’s Budget. The programme will help small and medium sized businesses across the UK learn new skills, reach new customers and boost profits.
There are two schemes – Help to Grow: Management and Help to Grow: Digital.
Help to Grow: Management
From June, small businesses will be able to access a 12 week-programme delivered by leading business schools across the UK. The programme will combine a practical curriculum, with 1:1 support from a business mentor, peer-learning sessions and an alumni network.
Designed to be manageable alongside full-time work, the programme will support small business leaders to develop their strategic skills with key modules covering financial management, innovation and digital adoption. By the end of the programme participants will develop a tailored business growth plan to lead their business to its full potential.
Some 30,000 places will be available over three years. The programme is 90% subsidised by Government – participants will be charged £750.
UK businesses from any sector that have been operating for more than one year, with between five to 249 employees are eligible to take part.
The participant should be a decision-maker or member of the senior management team within the business e.g. Chief Executive, Finance Director etc.
Charities are not eligible.
To register an interest in Help to Grow Management, click here.
Help to Grow: Digital
This Autumn, small businesses will be able to get free impartial advice on how technology can boost their performance through a new online platform.
Eligible businesses will also be able to get a discount of up to 50% on the costs of approved software, worth up to £5,000. Vouchers are initially expected to be available for software that helps businesses:
All businesses will be able to benefit from free online advice on the platform.
The voucher is expected to be available to UK business that:
Full details on the businesses and software eligible for the voucher will be published this summer.
Business which would like to register an interest in Help to Grow: Digital should click here.
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