Monthly newsletter for North Worcestershire businesses

NWedR supports and promotes economic development and regeneration across North Worcestershire

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Bromsgrove Jobs Fair

Bromsgrove Jobs Fair - next week

Bromsgrove MP, Sajid Javid is hosting Bromsgrove District Jobs Fair which will be returning for its 7th instalment on Friday 22 April at North Bromsgrove High School.

This year, the event will return to being held in person after moving online during the pandemic. In 2019, the record-breaking Fair saw people take advantage of thousands of career opportunities being offered by over 70 local, national, and international employers.

This year, there will be an even broader range of local businesses and organisations looking to make their next hire. Confirmed attendees for the Fair already include Severn Trent, Hewett Recruitment, JCB, Barclays Bank and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

The Jobs Fair will be held from 10.00am to 12:00 at North Bromsgrove High School and will be free for exhibitors and members of the public to attend. Register to attend the event,

click here


low carbon

Make net zero a reality with free specialist advice

Worcestershire County Council is piloting a new programme, aimed at supporting organisations across the county to decarbonise to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

The Zero Carbon Ready Worcestershire programme, funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund, provides organisations with specialist decarbonisation advice to identify where existing energy consumption can be reduced and energy efficiency be improved.

As well as decarbonisation advise, 50% match funding will be provided to organisations and businesses for the purchase and installation of Smart Meters.

Places are limited so ensure you don’t miss out on this opportunity; applications close on Thursday 30th June 2022. For further information and for details on how to apply, please visit Zero Carbon Ready Worcestershire | Worcestershire County Council.


Wyre Forest Heritage Trail App

Wyre Forest Heritage Trail App available to download now

Thinking about what to do in the Easter holidays?  Take a trip around the district’s towns using the brand-new Wyre Forest Heritage Trail App which is now available to download from your usual app store.

Add a whole new dimension to your visit to Bewdley, Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn town centres by tapping into the lives of memorable Wyre Forest characters from yesteryear.

Accessed by the App on your smart phone, you can visit GPS location checkpoints to hear stories and see the lives of local characters who will appear in-situ on your device thanks to the latest augmented reality technology.

Meet the ‘Kid from Kiddie’ Bewdley’s signalman Matt Morgan, Rowland Hill the Time Travelling Postman, Canal Builder James Brindley and many more fascinating characters as they spring to life in front of your eyes. Allow an hour for each town trail – at a leisurely pace!

Find out more


online learning

Opportunity to secure 50% funding towards the ‘Leading Business Growth’ Programme

 The Leading Business Growth programme at Warwick Business School is a 12-day programme aimed at leaders within established companies who have the ambition to reach their next stage of growth.   

The programme consists of over 6 face-to-face workshops, spaced across 7 months which will enable leaders to understand how to drive sustainable growth and address the key challenges facing business leaders today. The programme also includes the opportunity to work on a business project, centred on a real-world problem facing your business. You can find more information on the programme structure and content here.

Fees for this programme are £12,500, however, you may be eligible to part-fund your studies through the Supplier Skills Programme (SSP)* which offers a training grant of 50% of the fees. To register your interest in SSP funding please contact SSP@birmingham.gov.uk, or  to discuss your proposal in person, please call 0121 303 3664. 

Please be aware that grant funding is subject to meeting the SSP eligibility criteria.  You must also be approved for funding before applying to the Leading Business Growth Programme at Warwick Business School (WBS).

Find out more about the Leading Business Growth Programme and the SSP funding by joining us for a free webinar on Wednesday 25 May at 6pm. You can register here for this event


HoW college

College Group supports the region

Three major Worcestershire colleges have joined forces to ensure education and training provision is developing skilled workers to support the needs of the regional economy.

College group WCG, Kidderminster College and Heart of Worcestershire College have secured funding through the Government’s Skills Accelerator Progression Fund to launch the collaboration.

Read the story.


LEP survey

Business leaders - we want your views!

Worcestershire Local enterprise Partnership is running a survey of businesses in the county.

The results of the survey will help to inform future provision on the support programmes and funds needed to support the business community.   Make yourself a coffee and invest 5 minutes to have your say.  The survey is open to any sector or size of business and all feedback is anonymous. The deadline to complete the survey is close of business on Friday 6 May and the results will be available later this year.

Complete the survey here.


Declan barbering

Bromsgrove businessman machine rowing for CALM

Business owner Declan of Declan Jacobs Barbering in Bromsgrove will be stretching his muscles more than ever by machine rowing half a million meters in aid of the charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) during the month of April.

Declan said “Whilst having close friends and clients amongst many others globally who are battling mental health, I felt that my barbershop would be a great platform to make a difference where we can!  I want people to know that our shop is a safe place to come and have a chat and that mental health needs to be talked about more.  To support Declan with his rowing challenge, go to https://gofund.me/0a7b4aa1 

Declan added “We have really hit the ground running since our launch in early December and the town has been very welcoming since we have opened. The locals have really supported our business in such a positive way - we cannot thank our amazing clients enough!  As an area, Bromsgrove has been the perfect location for our business to settle and grow with many great opportunities.”

Daily updates and videos of Declan’s rowing will be posted onto the Facebook and Instagram accounts @declanjacobsbarbering. Read how donations are used by visiting CALM's website https://www.thecalmzone.net/ 


Frontline Cleaning

Celebrating North Worcestershire Calendar April 2022 Feature

This month we highlighting Frontline Cleaning Group. With over 12 years of experience in all sectors, Frontline Cleaning has an excellent reputation as one of the leading cleaning companies in the area. Situated in Stourport on Severn, the majority of their work is based in the West Midlands and they are acquiring many contracts that take them further afield. The company has built an excellent reputation and they endeavour to provide the best service possible at a fair rate assuring complete satisfaction for their customers.

Visit them at https://frontlinecleaning.co.uk/



Heart made from hands

We want your views on wellbeing priorities in Worcestershire

The Worcestershire Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation 2022-2032 is 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.


Diverse business

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.

Find out more.


2018 Apprentice Awards image

Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards open for Entries

Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council have announced that the popular apprenticeship celebration event, the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards are returning in 2022.

Entries to the awards have now opened with apprentices, employers, schools and training providers in Worcestershire being encouraged to submit their entries or nominations via the online nomination process, before the 15 July deadline.

After the 'virtual' success of the awards in 2021, the Worcestershire Apprenticeships team have confirmed that this year’s awards will be returning to the physical awards evening format on 17 November, at the West Midland Safari Park.

Find out more.


Brexit

Consultation on the customs system

In 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 is 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

Councils are encouraged to promote and share details of this consultation with businesses in their area.

The call for evidence closes on 2 May.

Read the announcement

Have your say in the consultation


Cyber Security

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.

Read the guidance.


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 newsletter.

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.