CleanTech first for North Worcestershire
Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire technology accelerator BetaDen have launched an industry-first Cleantech bootcamp to help businesses develop and commercialise solutions to some of the biggest environmental challenges facing industries around the world.
BetaDen North Cleantech Bootcamp is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund and will see leading figures from the cleantech world bringing their expertise to Worcestershire, helping cleantech entrepreneurs and established businesses alike develop the technologies required to lead industry supply chains to a net zero future.
This innovative programme, which is delivered by Carbon Limiting Technologies (CLT), is designed to bring to life the real issues and opportunities for businesses arising out of the push towards Net Zero, which will impact businesses and organisations of all sizes across all sectors. Workshops take place in March so book your place now!
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Help to Grow: digital scheme launched
The government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme – designed to support smaller businesses in adopting digital technologies so they can grow – is now open for applications.
Under the scheme, eligible businesses can now receive discounts of up to £5,000 off the retail price of approved Digital Accounting and CRM software from leading technology suppliers. This software will help them to effectively manage their finances and build customer relationships.
Businesses can also access practical, specialised support and advice on how to choose the right digital technologies to boost their growth and productivity through a new online platform. To qualify for the financial discount through Help to Grow: Digital, businesses can be from any business sector, but must meet a set of criteria.
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H&W Chamber Awards entries now open
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is inviting entries for the Chamber Business Awards, sponsored by Karndean Design flooring. The awards are free to enter and will close for entries on Friday 25 March. The Chamber Business Awards are a celebration of success and help identify and acknowledge the exceptional achievements across the two counties’ business community. They are open to all businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire and are not limited to size, sector, Member or non-Member. The entry process is both quick and easy providing businesses with the perfect opportunity to spotlight their brand and achieve widespread recognition. Winners will be announced at the black-tie ceremony taking place on Thursday 7 July at Worcester Arena. For more information on the categories available to enter or if you would like to submit your business nomination, please visit hwchamber.co.uk/events/business-awards or contact events@hwchamber.co.uk.
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How will 5G impact us?
borwell partner, West Midlands 5G is providing funded training to UK businesses, to promote the use of 5G and provide training to the area. WM5G manages projects to speed up the launch of 5G networks and test, prove and scale up new 5G products and services – for local people, public services and businesses. Book your place at these funded events at the link below and take advantage of this new technology in your business. You can choose 12 hours of event/training, free of charge. Feel free to mix and match!
Read the latest editorial from borwell on how 5G will impact us
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Call for Commonwealth Games baton-bearers – just 3 more days to apply
Excitement is building for this year’s Commonwealth Games, taking place in Birmingham from 28 July to 8 August, and bringing an economic boost to the whole of the West Midlands.
Nominations are now open for baton-bearers for the Queen’s Baton Relay in England.
The 294-day relay is already underway, with the baton containing a message to the Commonwealth from Her Majesty The Queen set to visit every corner of the Commonwealth.
The relay arrives in England in early July and thousands of people will then carry the baton around the UK during the final 25-day leg before the games begin in Birmingham.
This is your chance to nominate someone who you’d like to see carry the baton as part of the relay. The Birmingham 2022 organisers are looking for individuals who are always willing to take on a challenge and has a unique and inspiring story, has made a meaningful contribution to sport, education, the arts, culture, or charity, is a figure of inspiration who positively challenges others to achieve their best and who has taken on a challenge or cause and made a positive impact within their community.
You can make a nomination here. Be quick as the deadline is 14 February
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Careers and apprenticeships roadshows
If you’re an employer struggling to recruit, help is at hand! Book a stand at any of the upcoming careers and apprenticeship roadshows being organised by Worcestershire Apprenticeships with Worcestershire County Council. There will be potential apprentices and employees of all ages attending the events taking place across Worcestershire in March. Contact Kim Cook kim@hwstpa.co.uk regarding stand booking.
If you know someone aged 15 to 24 and unsure about what to do after leaving school or would like to find out about their options, direct them to one or more of the roadshows in March.
Find out more
Information on the Bromsgrove roadshow
Information on the Kidderminster roadshow
Information on the Redditch roadshow
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Worcestershire community shows support for Apprenticeships
This week marks the return of National Apprenticeship Week and the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council are working with local employers, apprentices, schools and colleges, and training providers to show support for Apprenticeships.
From 7 to 13 February, National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2022 will be underway with the national aim to #BuildtheFuture with emphasis this year on how apprenticeships can help build successful and rewarding careers.
To support this message locally, the Worcestershire LEP and Worcestershire County Council are working with the Worcestershire Apprenticeships programme to highlight the variety of work going on locally to promote and support apprenticeships.
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We want your views on wellbeing priorities in Worcestershire
The Worcestershire Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation 2022-2032 is now open. The Health and Wellbeing board sets the priorities for health across Worcestershire. This formal consultation will be running for 12 weeks from 7th February to 2nd May 2022 and will help shape Worcestershire's health and wellbeing priorities for the next 10 years.
The consultation survey is open to everyone and will help the Health & Wellbeing Board build up a picture of what wellbeing means to people of all ages from across all areas of Worcestershire. We want to hear views from all our communities and your support is greatly appreciated. Find out more and give your views.
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Are you curiously creative?
Boxed Community are running Boxed Trailblazers: a start-up program for curious creatives.
Boxed Trailblazers is a free 13-week online program to support 30 creative business owners in the UK forge their path to success. The next programme dates are 5 April to 1 July 2022 and applications close 16 March 2022.
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New Business support available through the Growth Hub
The Worcestershire Growth Hub has announced new business support to help local organisations with recruiting and retaining staff. Building on the ongoing success of the Specialist Advisor programme, the Worcestershire Growth Hub team has added a new advisor to the programme. This new advisor, Hewett Recruitment, will be focused on recruitment and retention support.
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GBSLEP Zellar 100 sponsored licenses
GBSLEP (Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership) have partnered with Zellar, the UK’s first sustainability platform, to sponsor 100 licences for local businesses to help them become sustainable, reduce emissions, and go beyond ‘Net Zero’ faster.
Register your business at GBSLEP Expression of interest and you will get a personalised sustainability plan that you can implement at your own pace.
If you have any questions, Richard Garner Head of Partnerships at Zellar is happy to give you support. Email richard@zellar.com
GBSLEP Expression of interest form
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Consultation on the customs system
On Tuesday (7 February) the government published a call for evidence inviting businesses, traders, and the public to feedback on the customs system.
Over a twelve-week period, HM Revenue and Customs and HM Treasury will be asking businesses to share their thoughts and get involved in helping to shape long-term customs policy. The government will be asking businesses and the border industry for their suggestions on:
- improvements to help traders access a quality customs intermediary sector
- how the benefits of the Simplified Customs Declarations Process can be expanded
- how the transit facilitation can be improved
The call for evidence closes on 2 May.
Read the announcement
Have your say in the consultation
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Actions to take when the cyber threat is heightened
The National Cyber Security Centre has updated the cyber security guidance in response to the malicious cyber incidents in and around Ukraine.
Businesses are urged to bolster their cyber security resilience and to take steps that reduce their risk of falling victim to an attack.
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Webinars on using the UKCA mark
The new UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking rules – replacing the Conformitè Europëenne (CE) mark – will come into force from 1 January 2023 and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is running a series of webinars to help businesses understand the process of adopting the UKCA safety markings.
The webinar will explain the roles and responsibilities of businesses involved in the supply of goods requiring the UKCA marking and how roles may have changed following the UK’s exit from the European Union. BEIS are unable to provide advice on specific circumstances or give legal advice.
Businesses can sign up or find out more information about the full programme of webinars at GOV. UK.
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New rules for international road haulage in 2022
Last month, the government updated the guidance for UK goods vehicle operators on the requirements to carry out international road haulage.
There will be new rules for transporting goods to or through Europe from 2022. The rules will affect those that use vans or heavy goods vehicles.
The update includes new information about registering journeys within Europe.
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Covid restrictions are lifted – still take care
Covid measures introduced to combat the Omicron variant including compulsory mask-wearing on public transport and shops, and vaccine certificates came to an end on 18 January. While restrictions are being removed it’s important to remember Covid is still here and we need to continue playing our part to limit the spread of the virus.
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