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Business support programmes have been extended to help SMEs in Leicestershire after a report highlighted the gaps in provision for SMEs in rural area.

, published by East Midlands Chamber last year, asked employers, providers and other stakeholders for their ideas to address skills needs in Leicester and Leicestershire.

One finding was that companies in Lutterworth and Market Harborough, reported a lack of opportunities for training due to few independent providers in the area.

̨ÍåÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Leicester (DMU), which runs the Government’s Help to Grow: Management programme to help develop SME leaders and senior staff over 12 weeks, decided to offer its courses in person at Market Harborough.




Dr Danny Buckley, who leads Help to Grow at DMU, worked first with Beth Lambert of Market Harborough’s Eco Village (pictured above) to run a 12-week programme and then Harborough District Council for a larger scheme that began in March.

Dr Buckley said: “Expanding our Help to Grow: Management programme into Market Harborough is a significant step towards addressing the skills gap highlighted in the Local Skills Improvement Plan.

“By collaborating with local stakeholders and businesses like Market Harborough's Eco Village and Harborough District Council, we aim to empower SMEs in rural areas with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in today's competitive landscape."

So far nearly 70 businesses have been on Help to Grow in and around Harborough District. They have included Megan Murray, partner in wine merchant Duncan Murray Wines which has been a staple of Harborough council since 2001.

She said the course had led them to introduce new ranges and they found the peer sessions “really valuable.” She added: “It came along at the right time and also at a particularly tough time for retail. This is our 22nd year in the business now so it was an opportunity to get some fresh ideas, particularly around getting a website going. It was great to have that input around digital activity as well.”

Harborough District Council teamed up with DMU to promote the programme to businesses in its district in January.

Rebecca Tomlin, Economic Development Manager at Harborough District Council, said: “We are proud to collaborate with ̨ÍåÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Leicester in bringing the Help to Grow: Management programme to our district. This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting SMEs and fostering economic growth in Harborough. By providing access to valuable resources and knowledge, we empower local businesses to thrive in today’s dynamic landscape.

“Through strategic partnerships and targeted initiatives, such as this programme, we aim to address the skills gaps highlighted in the Local Skills Improvement Plan. By equipping SMEs with the tools they need to succeed, we contribute to the resilience and vitality of our local economy, ensuring Harborough district remains a vibrant hub for business innovation and growth."

The Help to Grow: Management course runs for 12 weeks. The programme is 90% funded by the government and 10% through a bursary from DMU.  It covers strategy and innovation, digital transformation, preparing for investment and more.  

To qualify for the Help to Grow: Management programme, businesses must meet the following criteria:
•    Be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) based in the UK
•    Have at least five members of staff and no more than 249
•    Been operating for at least one year
•    Not operate as a charity - (Community Interest Companies are eligible).

The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) was based on data from Insight Unlocked, a database created through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between DMU and East Midlands Chamber.

Insight Unlocked showed in real time the skills needs of employers alongside training and courses that were available. Its data was able to show which sectors are predicted to grow and the skills needed.