Partner Article

Firms to share £1.2m support

90 SMEs in the region are poised to benefit from a new support project that aims to help businesses brave the economic downturn and prepare for recovery.

The £1.2m project, ‘Innovation, Advice and Guidance – Developing SME Expertise’, will put in place a service and public subsidy to give SMEs access to expert advisors to develop new products and services.

Tim Pain, Head of Business, Enterprise and Skills, at One North East, said: “Our aim is to aid business resilience by providing an accessible and affordable resource of highly skilled workers to at least 90 organisations.

“They will work with them on specific areas of expertise to help them push through the economic climate. It means we will be able to retain skilled people in the region by providing employment opportunities.”

Under the scheme, companies with people who might be at risk of redundancy or on short time working will be encouraged to release them for an agreed time to work on a secondment basis in other SMEs and enterprises in the region.

Nicki Clarke, Deputy Chief Executive of Business and Enterprise North East, added: “This project constitutes a further example of the business support that is available to North East businesses.

“It’s imperative that during tough economic times, organisations and businesses work collaboratively to ensure survival and success. This is the hallmark of this region and the project will strengthen companies and workforces.”

For more information call Business Link on 0845 600 9006.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .