Support programme celebrates nearly 100 jobs created by local businesses

Local based business support programme, Business Northumberland has supported with the creation of over 75 jobs from fourteen small to medium sized businesses who have taken advantage of their free support.

In face of economic pressures over the last few years, the businesses which include a global packing solutions business, building surveyors and a Prudhoe based tutoring company have continued to grow.

The businesses who sought free support from North East based support programme, Business Northumberland have taken on a range of roles including Office Manager, Junior Designer and Welding and Pressing Operator.

Business Northumberland provides support to small and medium enterprises across the North East who are looking to sustain and grow their business online. The fully funded support programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Advance Northumberland, so there is no cost to eligible businesses when accessing the support.

The programme which has developed into a hybrid model delivering support both online and face to face, had originally been prepared to report a lower number of new jobs created due to the effects of the pandemic. However, following growth across a number of sectors, the programme is now forecasting to overachieve on their original job growth target.

The team work closely with businesses across the North East to identify exactly what their goals are from increasing turnover, employing more staff to digitally upskilling and offering guidance and support to help SMEs achieve their business goals.

The Businesses in which have achieved the sizable growth have been working with Transmit Consulting as part of the Growth Programme element of Business Northumberland. The Growth Programme works with businesses who are looking to grow their business through increased turnover and/or looking to take on more staff.

Registered businesses are then allocated a coach through Transmit and given 12 hours of free coaching; this covers a scope of topics from HR to Business Planning.

Of the 75 jobs created, 15 were employed by National Learning Group, a Prudhoe based tutoring company, in which consultant Avril Scott was appointed by Transmit to work with the company on their growth strategy.

Director Oliver Batten says “Since the coaching (from Business Northumberland), we have grown from 1 employee in the office to 16 and growing each month. I would recommend anybody to get in touch and see how Business Northumberland can support you. It’s easy to feel like you’re on your own, but there is help and support out there.”

With the Business Northumberland programme extended until June 2023 the team are excited to support more businesses to grow and create more jobs and opportunities within the region.

For more information about Business Northumberland and how the team can support your businesses growth, please email business@advancenorthumberland.co.uk or visit www.businessnorthumberland.co.uk