South West Competitive News
Business growth and development - May 2010
The South West Chamber of Commerce
has long maintained a view that the region's businesses need to find that
special edge to enable them to compete with other UK regions, Europe and across
the globe.
Whilst many outside the South West still perceive it as a region based mainly on tourism, the reality is far from that; the South West has a strong heritage in food manufacturing, aerospace, digital media, advanced engineering as well as financial and professional services.
The effects of the recession are still occupying many minds, and will continue to do so for some time but the economy has returned to growth and the South West needs to be ready to face that competitive challenge with renewed vigour, and to grasp every available opportunity. The South West European Regional Development Fund represents a step-up for all businesses in the region and we've already seen innovative use of funds through the Internationalisation programme, Knowledge Escalator, and The Manufacturing Advisory Service - all designed to give business that much needed competitive edge.
Nigel Hutchings, chief executive, SW Chamber of Commerce
Even the best small businesses
can benefit from timely advice and the right support. The Federation of Small
Businesses has worked with the South West RDA to ensure that the programmes on
offer through the South West European Regional Development Fund are the most
appropriate that can be devised.
We know the shape of the South West and our poor transport links have a major impact on our productivity. ERDF and other EU funds are very welcome as they enable us to work to overcome these disadvantages and play to our strengths of innovation, skill and flexibility.
We can do more and yes we can do better. To do more, we need more funding and to do better we need your feedback on how helpful you have found these programmes.
Vivienne Rayner, south west policy manager, Federation of Small Businesses
European Regional Development Fund
- South West launches pioneering design support programme for business
- South Devon College develops schemes to help South West businesses
- Somerset construction set to receive new support thanks to ERDF funding
European Social Fund
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 | South West launches pioneering design support programme for businessThe South West European Regional Development Fund has announced a £1.4 million investment in a pioneering programme offering local businesses help to develop high growth and technology ventures in the South West.Designing Demand was developed by the Design Council and is delivered by the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) which has invested half of the £1.4 million. The programme aims to help companies become more competitive, increase their profits and boost their performance through the effective use of design. The service is accessible either direct or via Business Link. Nigel Howells, head of competitiveness programmes at the South West RDA, said: "Designing Demand will have a significant impact on the success of high growth and technology firms within the region, helping them define routes to market and improving their long-term investment prospects. We are delighted to be able to offer funding to such projects. This is exactly the type of programme for which EU funds have been made available. Some of the key programme aims are to increase regional capacity for the effective use of innovation/design in small business, provide a driver for sustainable activity and embed the use of design and sustainable design as a strategic business tool. The programme has a mixture of skills-improvement activities and high value, high impact interventions. All the interventions will lead to an increase in the competitiveness, turnover and economic performance of the participating businesses." Designing Demand will offer businesses the chance to work with 'Design Associates', Design Council-approved experts selected for their outstanding track record solving problems with hundreds of small businesses. Businesses will also be introduced to Design Council tools to help integrate design into strategic decision-making. The Bristol SETsquared Acceleration Centre will host one cohort of Designing Demand technology businesses. Anna Traylor, programme manager for Designing Demand in the South West, said: "Businesses which use design are faster-thinking, more innovative, quicker on their feet, more responsive and more customer-aware. We are delighted to offer Designing Demand in the South West, helping businesses to get the best out of working with a designer. We can make a real difference to their bottom line and so help the region become more competitive." For more information please call 0117 962 9671 or email design@businesslinkwessex.co.uk or visit www.swdp.org.uk |
 | Somerset construction set to receive new support thanks to ERDF fundingSomerset College of Art & Technology has won funding from the South West European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for a new project that will offer support to local construction projects.The new Knowledge Exchange at Genesis (KEG) Project will be set up and delivered by the Somerset College of Art & Technology as an education/business sector partnership. The project has secured £375,000 of ERDF funding with a further £187,500 investment from both the South West RDA and the college, giving a total of £750,000 for the project. Project partners include the University of Plymouth, City College Plymouth, Weymouth College, City of Bristol College and the Universities of Plymouth Colleges. The aim is to increase levels of knowledge and understanding about the design and construction of high quality sustainable building projects and identify gaps in the current research, education and training provision for the construction industry. The project will provide five trained FE staff who will be construction lecturers with extensive industry experience, who will work with design and construction teams across the region delivering 'live' construction projects from initial design through to completion of build. Projects selected will include new-build, refurbishment and heritage. The representative will act as an information conduit passing best practice in the field of sustainable construction to and from construction projects. This will not only speed up the rate at which knowledge is transferred, but through the working relationships established, there will be an opportunity to identify and bridge gaps between industry needs and current educational provision. Nigel Howells, head of competitiveness programmes for the South West RDA, said: "We have had a lot of interest from further education colleges to create knowledge transfer programmes and the Knowledge Exchange at Genesis project will be highly valuable to businesses in the area." Rachel Davies, principal of Somerset College of Art & Technology commented: "As the project develops, we will share our learning and experience through web-based platforms, demonstration events and via traditional college construction apprenticeship programmes." | ||||
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 | South West ESF AwardsAwards recognising excellence in European Social Fund employment and skills activity across the South West took place in Exeter on Thursday 18 March.The award categories included young achiever, personal achievement, employment and skills, personal contribution, workforce development, employer of the year, tutor/mentor and outstanding contribution. The award winners were Jade Bingham, Dee White, Conrad Hutchinson, Arron Edwards, Body Positive, Xtravert, Shaz French, The Hall for Cornwall, Auditechnik, Mashfords, Cynthia Thomas and Carolyn Webster. Jon Bright, Regional Director of Government Office for the South West, said on opening the event: "These awards are giving us an opportunity to celebrate the people and organisations that are making a positive difference to thousands of people in our region." Jim Knight, Minister for the South West and Minister for Employment, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony and presented the two young achiever and personal achievement awards. He said: "Congratulations to all of the South West ESF Award winners. The quality of all the nominations was outstanding. Today’s winners are all great examples of how ESF funds are helping people in the South West. As a government, we are determined to provide help and support to unemployed people who have not worked for a long time, to get them back into employment and to help up-skill those already in work." Here we focus on two of the evening’s winners, and in the second story within this e-zine, we take a closer look at the success of Auditechnik. Competitiveness young achiever: Jade Bingham Nominator: Hedley Hall Training Through her own experience of being a young mum, Jade wanted to become a midwife, and recognised that she would need to improve her own basic skills before being accepted onto a Further Education course. Having these ambitions gave her the motivation to tackle her lack of numeracy skills. With the help of Hedley Hall Training, she has overcome numerous personal challenges and has completed her City & Guilds level 1 Numeracy and started level 2. She is currently undertaking voluntary work at a hospital and has applied for a course in midwifery, commencing in September this year. Competitiveness personal achievement: Conrad Hutchinson Nominator: Working Links Conrad has shown determination and focus in his dream to retrain and start a career in community care and support. He set himself a target to re-skill and gain a portfolio of practical qualifications and experience to help him find work where he can assist and positively encourage and motivate others less fortunate. Conrad has overcome many barriers, visibly improving his and his family’s lives and, most importantly, gives his time, energy, skills and humour back to the heart of the community through his employment at the YMCA. For more information, please contact: Philip Charlesworth Government Office for the South West Philip.CHARLESWORTH@gosw.gsi.gov.uk Story originally provided for the ESF in England website by GOSW. Edited by SLIM. |
 | European Social Fund support, through training, has helped Auditechnik to improve its productivity and performance'Suditechnik was a recent winner at the first South West ESF Awards Ceremony in Exeter.Auditechnik deals primarily with the maintenance and repair of VW/Audi/Seat and Skoda vehicles. The business opened in July 2004 employing one person and has seen steady growth year on year now employing seven staff and an apprentice. Prior to working with the Gloucester Works programme, they had not engaged with other ESF-funded training programmes. Cost had always been a major barrier to training in a sector where investment in the latest equipment for the business has to be a priority if it is to remain competitive, and typically profits were used to this end. Releasing staff for training from any small team puts pressure on colleagues. Nonetheless, over the past twelve months, staff have undertaken more than 30 days away from the business in order to develop their skills. Initial conversations with Gloucester First identified a number of training needs which were subsequently funded by the Gloucester Works programme. Auditechnik's Director, Ian Sutton, was the only 'superuser' for some of the diagnostic equipment needed by the mechanics. Consequently, his workforce lacked confidence in its abilities to diagnose faults for the vehicles and needed Ian to double check their work. This left Ian with two significant barriers - not enough time to develop the business and a workforce which lacked confidence in its abilities. Ian recognised the need for ongoing training for both the development of the business and to help individuals in their personal development. He demonstrated this through his enthusiasm to develop staff who could have struggled to gain employment within other organisations less willing to open up job opportunities. Initial conversations with the Employer Engagement team at Gloucester Works encouraged Ian to look at all areas of his business and help to identify key areas of training that would impact on both the business and staff personal development. Ian Sutton commented: "I have always recognised the need to develop staff skills, yet high costs remained one of the main barriers as in order to stay competitive we invest a great deal of money in the latest equipment. Knowing that funding was available for the training enabled me to discuss the opportunities with my staff and decide that as a business we would like to take part in the programme. All employees were enthusiastic to either renew skills or gain nationally recognised qualifications for the first time." "Previous years have seen the business grow at 25% year on year; last year the business growth was 44% in a year when the recession badly affected the car industry as a whole and I strongly believe that the training we undertook is a major factor in this success. In addition, I have managed to secure two major contracts for the business for 2010 as a direct result of my staff working more independently leaving me to focus more time on marketing the business and meeting with clients." Feedback has shown the impact on the business which includes improved productivity and performance, improved customer service levels and an improved working environment. Employees have become more confident and motivated, have improved decision-making abilities and are embracing further opportunities for learning. For more information, please contact: Sarah Danson Gloucester First sarah.danson@glosfirst.co.uk Story provided by Gloucester First and GOSW and edited by SLIM. |
