The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) have conducted a Business Tracker Survey to help them to understand the needs of local businesses, inform policy-making and ensure support is appropriately targeted.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the Leicester and Leicestershire economy, with many businesses struggling to deal with the effects of restrictions enforced upon businesses and a change in demand for products and services. This survey measures this impact on businesses over a period of 12 months. The purpose of the survey is:

• To understand and track business sentiment as the fallout from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold

• To provide the LLEP and partners with information from the business community which will then inform decision-making and recovery planning

• To aid the creation of evidence-based policy and information that helps to attract funding to Leicester and Leicestershire

The Wave 4 results are now available.

Harborough District Council’s professional, dedicated, trade waste team provide over 800 local businesses with an efficient non-hazardous waste collection service. We have in-depth local knowledge, and many years’ experience which enables us to deliver resourceful waste solutions for businesses.

Harborough Waste Services offers a comprehensive range of trade waste containers for customers to choose from. We understand that there is no ‘on size fits all’ solution and that business situations can readily change. Therefore, our flexible contracts allow businesses to tailor fit their requirements, as, and when, needed. We commit to ‘what you see is what you get’ so we’ve ensured that our contracts are inclusive of bin hire costs, administrative fees, and collection and disposal charges. 

We are trusted by local businesses, and believe that by working together, we can help companies grow as we provide exceptional service which compliments your business. Unlike many national waste providers, there are no hidden costs and we do not charge additionally for waste duty of care documentation or any administrative work. Our one-off charges are reserved solely for bin delivery/removal, and any additional collections you require outside the scope of the current contracts.  

Get in contact with us for a free, no obligation, quotation today via our website, e-mail, or freephone number.

Email: HWS@harborough.gov.uk

Freephone number: 0800 0688 225

Leicestershire SMEs are invited to a free one-day conference to learn about reducing costs, energy use and recruiting more effectively. 'How to survive and thrive in business 2023' aims to provide information, tips and tools to help manage the current cost of doing business crisis. 

Key themes include:

• Strong workforce strong business

• Energy: save money, save time

• Looking after the numbers

• Leadership in challenging times

The invitation to Tender for Future Skills Programme Funding is now LIVE! Organisations have until 10am on 24 April 2023 to submit their bid for Future Skills Programme funding. 

The Future Skills Programme is an His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) funded initiative designed to help businesses grow their future workforce, while giving people leaving prison the life-changing opportunity of a job.

The benefits:

• access to a diverse talent pool from which to cost-effectively recruit

• the ability to deliver bespoke sector-specific training to meet business needs

• the opportunity to upskill individuals who are motivated, ready to work, and who are proven to have high levels of retention, reliability, and performance

• dedicated support from the skills and work teams in prisons, and

• an opportunity to test and shape innovative approaches to rehabilitation in partnership with HMPPS

The Future Skills Programme will:

• provide the funding for businesses to design and deliver sector specific training courses lasting between 2 and 12 weeks.

• enable businesses to recruit reliable, motivated and skilled employees to fill skills gaps.
  
  

What employers/training providers will need to do:

• design courses that would give a prison-leaver the skills needed to work in your sector or industry

• provide a job offer or job interview for people who complete the course

Are you looking to start up in business?

Our Starting in Business programme is designed to equip you with the tools and practical tips to get your idea to the next level.

Programme Dates:

• April 20th, 21st & 27th 2023 09:30am-15:30pm Online

• May 18th, 19th & 26th 2023 09:30am-15:30pm Online

• June 22nd, 23rd & 30th 2023 09:30am-15:30pm Online

Some of what is covered in the workshops:

• Skills needed to run a business

• Importance of business planning

• How to market your business

• How to price your product of service

• How to manage money

• What to include in your business plan?
  
  

The key benefits to attending:

• You will be better equipped to turn your idea from dream to reality

• Your confidence will grow to enable you to move your idea forward

• You will be able to price your product or service to be competitive within the marketplace

• You will learn the fundamentals of how to market your business

• You will be able to produce a viable business plan

Upskilling or retraining your employees is vital to running and growing a successful small business, but at the Federation of Small Business (FSB) we know that high quality training isn’t cheap. We’re delighted to be launching a new member benefit, FSB Training, in association with Staff Skills Training, to help you close the skills gap in your business and access affordable CPD certified training courses. 

With 12 months access to over 685 CPD certified online courses from as little as £80 for one user, you and your team can earn certifications in key areas including health and safety, food hygiene, finance, HR, admin and so many more:

• Help upskill you and your staff

• Stay compliant and ahead of the competition

• Earn industry-recognised certifications

• Flexible e-learning modules to fit around your schedule

• Receive digital certificates

• Track your employees’ progress, set tasks and measure performances

• Boost your credibility with courses from qualified instructors

 
Join FSB today and unlock a wide range of support, protection and guidance designed to help you run and grow your business. As well as discounted training, you'll also have access to 24/7 legal and HR advice, over 1,400 legal documents and templates, local networking, wellbeing support and so much more.