Monthly newsletter for North Worcestershire businesses

NWedR supports and promotes economic development and regeneration across North Worcestershire

View this email in your browser

North Worcestershire edr

Follow NWEDR  |  Connect With North Worcs EDR  |  Visit NWEDR

Covid home test

Be Covid safe at Work

Feedback from our Local Outbreak Response Team at Worcestershire County Council has highlighted a number of work-based Coronavirus outbreaks and the need to support workers and employers. For the latest information and advice, follow business channels @BusinessWorcs on Twitter and WCC LinkedIn for best practice on how to stay COVID safe at work and on commuting to and from work.


Coronavirus global

New resources to help you out of lockdown

Watch videos and register for the latest free Government webinars to learn more about the support available to help businesses deal with the economic impacts of Coronavirus.  Resources include a new YouTube video about the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate scheme. Find out more.


congratulations

Major funding secured for Redditch

Redditch has been awarded a significant investment of £15.6 million which will enable the development of major new projects for the town. This funding from the Government’s Towns Fund represents one of the single largest government investments in Redditch since it became a new town in the 1960s and follows the £1 million advance that Redditch was awarded last year from the Towns Fund.

The funding bid was awarded on the basis of the Town Investment Plan which was developed by the Town Deal Board - a group made up of public, private and local business community sector leaders - with the support of NWedR and Mott MacDonald.

The ambitious proposals which have secured the backing of £15.6 million of government investment will be used to invest in skills, digital manufacturing, green infrastructure and town centre regeneration in accordance with the Town Investment Plan.

This investment will now be progressed to the next stage which includes further project and business case development. Projects delivered through this fund are to be completed by 2026.


Kulwant

New Advisor for Bromsgrove businesses

NWedR welcomes a new colleague to the team.  Kulwant Chahal has been appointed Bromsgrove Business Advisor.  Kulwant’s role is to connect Bromsgrove businesses to the appropriate and relevant business support, funding and grants available to them.  He will work closely with colleagues at the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP (GBSLEP) Growth Hub and Worcestershire Business Central (WBC).

Kulwant is an award winning Expert Business Start Up Enterprise Advisor for Local Government.  He recently worked with SME’s to plan growth and deliver Scale-Up Projects and brings a wealth of skills and experience to this new role.

Kulwant said,

“I’m really looking forward to helping Bromsgrove businesses achieve a leading edge and connecting them to the innovation and support that they need to flourish and grow.“

Email Kulwant.chahal@nwedr.org.uk


Business hands

Move forward alongside your peers

The Peer Networks programme through Worcestershire Business Central provides businesses with a FREE support network with 1-1 and group sessions designed to help businesses collaborate and overcome their challenges together. The scheme is now accepting registrations of interest from businesses interested in benefitting from the support.

Find out more on the website here


Manager and employee virtual meeting

Register your interest for the Specialist Business Adviser Programme

The Specialist Business Adviser programme through Worcestershire Business Central is open for businesses to register their interest to be involved in the FREE support scheme. The programme enables businesses to receive expert advice on specialist topics in a 1-1 or group setting. Businesses can now register their interest to be involved on the website here

 


Step Forward

GBSLEP Growth Hub – upcoming free events for business

Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) has a host of virtual business events lined up in July.  Here’s a quick summary

West Midlands Net Zero Business Pledge, Wednesday 7 July

Understand how the Net Zero pledge will help you reduce your environmental impact, save costs, and prepare your business for climate change impacts. Register here.

Learn how to raise your profile on LinkedIn, Wednesday 14 July

Create content that gets engagement, and find out how to position, market and sell yourself without being pushy or salesy. Register here.

Using and implementing robotics in manufacturing, Monday 19 July

From primary processing, packaging, palletising and logistics, robots are revolutionising companies, providing high levels or productivity, security and staff welfare. Find out how your company can benefit from robots and outline a simple five stage plan to implement your first robot. Register here.

For more information about GBSLEP events, visit the website.


online learning

Do you need to up-skill your workforce?

Part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and managed by Birmingham City Council (BCC), SSP is aimed at existing Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) seeking to up-skill new and existing employees.  SSP responds directly to the skills and training needs identified by SMEs for their employees, thereby offering SMEs what they want and at the time they need It, in order to implement their skills and growth plans.  Training grants of between £500 to a maximum of £18,000 per SME are available and training will be funded 50% by the SME and 50% by the European Social Fund grant. Complete your application form now to be considered.


HS2

HS2 opportunities

Are you looking for opportunities to work on HS2, one of the most demanding and exciting transport projects in Europe?  HS2 Ltd has so far awarded 98% of its current contracts to UK-based businesses, 70% of which have gone to SMEs. One way of connecting with the supply chain procurement process for HS2 is via the portal www.competefor.com/hs2.  Here you can register your business profile, insurance policies, financial details, ownership and employee diversity and see contracts coming up for tender.


Business support overview

Overview of grants and business support

NWedR has collated information on the current grants and support available to North Worcestershire businesses. This ‘at a glance’ summary has been designed to provide a quick overview for business leaders across the area.  This is being updated regularly and displayed on the front page of our website.

Read the summary

 


Beth Newton

Hello to Beth

Beth Newton has joined The Development Manager (TDM) team to support North Worcestershire businesses with their training and development needs.  Having worked at Kidderminster College for 13 years in the Apprenticeship team, Beth has a wealth of experience in assisting businesses in identifying training needs and pin pointing how and where an apprentice can fit into the business.  Beth has expert knowledge in the Apprenticeship Levy, government funding and helping employers access financial incentives to support recruiting an apprentice.

Beth said, “I’m really looking forward to continuing to work with businesses in North Worcestershire.  TDM is completely employer responsive and covers everything from initial retraining Boot camps through to Degree (BSc) Apprenticeships.  For further information please feel free to call Beth on 07939 530517 or email beth.newton@tdm.co.uk

Details of TDMs provision can be found at www.thedevelopmentmanager.com


Jukes Insurance calendar

Celebrating North Worcestershire Calendar

Our winning feature for the month of July showcases experienced insurance brokers, Jukes Insurance.

Based in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, the Jukes team has served its local community and customers further afield for many years and remains fiercely passionate about upholding the same personal level of support, now and in the future.

2021 Celebrating North Worcestershire calendar photo gallery.  

 


B&B sign

Food Glorious Food and drink in Worcestershire

Are you a Worcestershire food or drink producer, retailer or hospitality business?  You’ll be busy finding ways to get your product or service out there as the lockdown eases.  Now is the time to get involved in our ‘Make it’ campaign championed by One Worcestershire and partners. It costs nothing to take part and there are loads of opportunities to connect with your customers, meet similar businesses across the county and share marketing and social media tools produced exclusively for this campaign.  Find out more and sign up to Worcestershire 1000 to be part of the Make it in Worcestershire campaign.


connected

Staying Connected

The NWedR team delivers support and services to businesses across North Worcestershire. Email us on info@nwedr.org.uk Call us on 0845 6015953 or visit our NWedR website to read our news and sign up for our weekly newsletters for North Worcestershire businesses. Connect with your local council on social media Bromsgrove DC Twitter, Facebook, Redditch BC Twitter, Facebook, Wyre Forest DC Twitter, Facebook. NWedR social connections are shown at the top of this page.

For regional Worcestershire business advice, grants and support go to Worcestershire Business Central or The Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP Growth Hub. In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, a full range of business support is available to UK businesses and employees.  See the latest updates from Government. The business support helpline is 0300 456 3565 - available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm.


covid vaccination

Have you had your jab?

Anyone who is eligible can book their coronavirus vaccination appointments online or by telephoning 119 or simply wait for your invite from your GP.  (You can use the same link to check the up to date eligibility criteria.)

 

If you are called for a vaccine, please take up the offer. Vaccines are safe and are our way out of lockdown. 1 in 3 people with Covid have no symptoms and are unaware they could be spreading the virus. This is why Public Health in Worcestershire is recommending anyone who has to regularly leave their home, gets tested twice a week using a regular rapid test (lateral flow test -LFT). Find out how to get a regular rapid test on our website www.worcestershire.gov.uk/communitytesting