Could your commercial pottery benefit from training?
Better skilled people can have a real impact on business success but this can be difficult to achieve without financial support. The East of England Development Agency Towards 2010 initiative http://www.eeda.org.uk/192_44.asp offers small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in the East of England a grant of up to 70 per cent towards the cost of training that focuses on improving business performance.
Eligible businesses, including sole traders, can apply for assistance to attend a wide range of courses relevant to their business needs and choose their own training provider.
Typical training programmes include:
improving the efficiency of production
acquiring skills to expand into a related area of work
updating computer skills
extending leadership and management skills
improving marketing skills that will assist in winning new business
Over one hundred creative businesses have already taken advantage of this funding. Those supported include designers of all types, PR and advertising firms, publishing companies, film, TV, broadcasting, digital media and computer gaming industries, photographers, visual, performing and literary arts specialists and commercial galleries – and of course a wide range of arts and crafts businesses. The definition of ‘creative’ is very broad. The initiative continues through 2007 but it is likely that funds will have been allocated by Easter. Training has to be completed by next September to give time for reimbursements.
If you run a small creative business based in the East of England, and could benefit commercially from training, contact the Creative Sector Advisor, Anne Williamson, at Screen East, on 01603 776927 a.williamson@screeneast.co.uk. Anne will check your eligibility, visit to explain the process and help you apply and answer any questions.