Business support in Ashfield: Free courses will give your business a boost, no matter what size
The Enterprising Ashfield project, funded by the Government’s Towns Fund, is making in-roads into creating building blocks for businesses across Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield.
It has the future of the region in its sights.
Enterprising Ashfield is a £3.8m support programme delivered by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and as part of it, around 15 free courses help deliver better, brighter, more-informed futures, for businesses in the area.
And there’s no red tape to stop a business making the most of this free upskilling.
An eye on the future
Daniel Lee, the Business Development Officer for Enterprising Ashfield says: “There is no criteria which could stop someone applying. We don't rule anybody out at all – there are no entry level requirements.”
It’s a win win for businesses wanting to plan for the future; and who want to preserve and build on what they have now.
The many and varied courses include website design for small businesses; cybersecurity; administrative skills, visual merchandising and others.
There’s an eye on the future: Already a new course is being planned to show businesses how to make the best of ChatGPT as its use is becoming more mainstream.
Developing for the future is constant, and there’s something for everyone.
People just starting out in business can benefit
Says Daniel: “This is a really good opportunity to look at a change in your career through funded courses.
“Whether you've worked in an office all your life, or whether you've worked in construction all your life, this is an opportunity for a university to give you some skills, free of charge that you can then take on and change your career.”
Daniel says Enterprising Ashfield is also keen to work with businesses which have identified a skills gap which needs filling.
More established businesses can see the rewards
Says Daniel: “We can build a course for businesses. If they have 10-15 people who need a specific skill set, then we can build that course around them.”
“We can deliver that course outside of hours inside of hours, on weekends on their premises. It's very flexible for the business itself. It doesn't have to be Monday to Friday, and take everybody out the business, and having a big impact on the business.”
How to get involved
The impact of the scheme has been very positive.
Says Daniel: “People have given us really good feedback on the courses and how new skills have been implemented it into their daily lives, their daily jobs.”
He added: “As well as helping local businesses the free courses are available to anyone that lives or works in the area too. Whether you’re already in employment and looking to upskill for a promotion or currently unemployed and want to boost your CV, there’s courses covering topic areas from finance and admin to marketing and design.”
To find out more, go to the Nottingham Trent University website or email Daniel Lee for details.