Sunderland Business Network - News Detail

"Developing SME Expertise" is a new business support initiative managed and operated by North East Enterprise Agencies Ltd. This is a new iniative, funded by ONE NorthEast and part of the Solutions for Business portfolio that aims to provide enhanced business support, retain individual skills in the region and explore opportunities for growth in the local economy.

Developing SME Expertise is a new programme targeting businesses with a potential to grow but who may lack specialist skills to develop new projects. The programme will help address the current economic conditions affecting businesses in two ways. 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 social enterprises across the North East region. Examples of the types of skills businesses may benefit from include ICT, Graphic Design, Marketing, Engineering, COnstruction, Manufacturing, Quality Sytems.

Subsidies will be provided to the current employer (donor company) up to 60%, with the balance of the salary costs met by the developing SME (host company). The maximum value of the support available is £20,000, in the form of contributions to salary and on-costs. All subsidies will be managed by the NEEIC.

The Enterprise Agencies will work with donors, hosts and individuals to identify potential matches to link hosts and donors, ansd provide on-going help and support to the SMEs.

Further information will be distributed shortly, but in the meantime, if you know of any local businesses who may be keen to particpate or requires further information, either as a donor or host company, please contact Shirley Hermiston at the NE-BIC on Tel 0191 516 6200

Submitted by: Sunderland Business Network