Video Transcript
So the three lions have fallen agonisingly short of the big prize once more this month. But give it a couple of weeks and that’ll be but a fading memory as we gear up our support for the athletes heading across the channel to compete at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In the meantime, have no fear the Worcestershire Growth Hub will continue to provide you with the support your business needs to grow and to be successful. Hello and welcome to the July edition of the Worcestershire Growth Hub newsletter.
I’ll start this month by highlighting the recently launched Workforce Planning Diagnostic tool, which can now be accessed by Worcestershire businesses. Strategic Workforce planning is seen as a key tool in helping to overcome many of the business challenges of today, and will help you to analyse company culture and assess the current needs of your workforce versus the future needs of your workforce. It is free to access, and businesses which have piloted the tool have cited many positives, including learning how to effectively map out skill sets within their teams, identify gaps and create development plans, allowing them to anticipate and prepare for changes proactively rather than reacting to them. Find out more about this free platform through the link in the newsletter.
Sticking with the workforce theme, there is still time to share your insights on workplace values. The insights gleaned from this survey, developed by Worcestershire County Council in collaboration with the LEP, will help us to inspire your future workforce. Please share your views by accessing the link in the newsletter.
And another reminder for businesses that we are making it even easier for you to upskill your staff in partnership with local government partners. We are providing access to grant funding for skills and learning, meaning you can improve your employee skills at a reduced cost. SkillsBoost Worcestershire is available to access now. To find out more about accessing the grant funding available. Please follow the link in the newsletter.
The Growth Hub is regularly running business clinics in various locations around the county. Hosted by Ran, one of our account managers within the team, these business clinics are specifically targeted to help our Worcestershire businesses with 1 to 4 employees so that they can access business support to help their growth journey. This cohort of businesses make up a huge portion, 77% to be precise, of the county’s entire business base, so we’re keen to ensure you are sited on the support offerings available to you. You can find out more information about dates, times and locations and how to book a slot in one of the clinics within the newsletter.
In the spirit of ‘you said, we did’, The Growth Hub are embarking on holding a series of business workshop events in 2024/25. Based on intelligence gathered from our businesses throughout events held over the last 12 months. The Worcestershire Growth Hub is hosting an event on finance and investor readiness to help businesses in the county learn more about the importance of accountancy, tax misconception and the plethora of support available for you and your business in this area. This first session will take place next month in August, with future topics to be scheduled from the autumn. Be sure to contact the Growth Hub team to register your interest early and secure your place.
Finally, this month, I would like to highlight the new phase of the Elevate manufacturing program delivered by Worcestershire County Council. This specialist support program is designed for Worcestershire manufacturing businesses to improve productivity and sustainability, increase digitalisation, create job opportunities and encourage the adoption of innovative products and services. Manufacturing businesses can expect to access expert guidance 1 to 1 bespoke business consultancy, peer support masterclasses as well as grant funding. Further details including eligibility criteria are in the newsletter.
I hope you find something helpful for your business in this month’s update, and if you would like to access any of the support mentioned in this newsletter, please contact the team to find out more. All that leaves me to say for now is forget about the football. For now, that’s gone. We wanted the World Cup anyway. Enjoy the summer holiday period as it approaches and I wish you all a pleasant summer break.
