Support is available to help Shropshire businesses grow thanks to a new government scheme welcomed by Stuart Anderson, South Shropshire’s Conservatives Parliamentary Candidate. Small businesses are invited to take part in a free course to improve their leadership and management capabilities. It includes bite-sized videos and online resources on different business topics for small business leaders who want a quick refresher of key management concepts.
The Government has made 2024 the year of the SME and has launched ’Help to Grow: Management Essentials’, a free self-guided online course to help upskill SME leaders making strategic decisions with practical tips and resources for small business leaders. Content is divided into three easy-to-access modules covering the essential business concepts required to unlock growth. Stuart is promoting the support available as part of his campaign to unleash rural prosperity, a centrepiece of his plan for South Shropshire residents.
The free course is the newest addition to Stuart’s Business Support Finder and the latest part of the Government’s ‘Help to Grow’ toolkit, which supports small businesses to scale up and grow. It is based on the 12-week ‘Help to Grow: Management’ course, an intensive national training programme to improve SMEs leadership and management skills - providing practical support for SME staff to lead their business to its full potential.
The course is ideal for those looking to explore the principles of business growth and management before taking enrolling on to the full course, 90% subsidised by the Government. The full course has supported nearly 8,000 businesses - with the ambition to support up to 30,000 over the programme's lifetime. 90% of SME leaders felt they had increased awareness of factors that drive business and productivity growth, while two thirds made changes to the way in which they manage, organise, and operate their businesses.
The full course is designed and delivered by entrepreneurs and industry experts at world-class business schools. Run over 12 weeks, it includes online and face-to-face sessions, 1-to-1 mentoring, and peer networking. With just one session a week, it easily fits around existing commitments. SMEs can apply and develop their skills in areas such as financial management, innovation, and staff engagement.
Stuart Anderson said:
“South Shropshire is home to some incredible business which create many valuable jobs and training opportunities for local people. If elected as South Shropshire’s next MP, I want to make our area the best place to start and grow a business. In this year of the SME, I am delighted the Government is stepping up the support available. This includes the ‘Help to Grow’ series, the latest of which is this new free business management course for small business leaders looking to upskill. More details are available via the business support finder on my website.”
