solutions4recession - business services

Has your business been impacted by the recession?

Services to improve the performance of your business:

• QuickMark®: UWE’s market assessment service. Our trained researchers will assess the opportunities for your new product, process or service to help you find new customers and make better business decisions.

  Service available from £500 (normal price £2,500).

• Business improvement projects: A UWE adviser works closely with you to identify a project aimed at improving your competitiveness, productivity and profitability. High-calibre graduates implement this over a period ranging from 3 months to 3 years, while an Academic Supervisor facilitates access to knowledge, technology and skills.

  Can be used on a stand-alone basis, or as a logical follow-up to a QuickMark® assessment.

  Grants available for up to 75% of project costs for SMEs through Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme for a limited period.

• Skills development and training: A UWE adviser carries out a training needs analysis of your business in order to identify where university level training could increase workforce skills and capability.

  Up to £2500 off a wide range of selected short and professional courses (up to a maximum of 5 employees.

Services to support staff affected by redundancy:

UWE can help your business explore alternative solutions to redundancy (e.g. short time working combined with training). If, however, redundancies are necessary, UWE can still work with you to help support the individuals affected and provide:

Free services

• Careers consultancy with a qualified and experienced UWE Careers Consultant to help individuals move successfully to the next stage of their careers.
• Guidance sessions for individuals with an experienced UWE business adviser about starting or running their own business.
• Specialist workshops and online learning tools to help individuals explore options, generate ideas, develop greater self awareness and improve the quality of their job applications and interview performance.
• Free access to UWE Library Services with quiet work areas and extensive business and reference material.

Subsidised services

• Up to £2500 off a wide range of short and professional courses to help individuals maximise their opportunities for re-employment or career change. (up to a maximum of 5 employees).
• Access to UWE Ventures Bristol business incubation space and support services to help individuals start and develop their own business (50% off costs for first year).

Does my business qualify?

These services are offered until September 2010 to businesses, start-ups and self- employed individuals who can present evidence that they have been impacted by the recession (significantly reduced trading performance, job losses, facing closure, etc). See full eligibility criteria.

Please note, some prices may be subject to VAT and the services offered are subject to availability of limited funds.

What do I do next?