Events and Developments

Olympics London 2012
With the London 2012 Olympic Games set to boost the building sector nationally by more than £8 Billion, the impact on the Midlands is a potential multi-million pound bonanza for companies based here. However not just the building sector will benefit from the games, as many services needed for the Olympics will be tendered out to UK companies.

A staggering 80% of work for all of the infrastructure will be sourced from outside London with the opportunities for Midland based companies being some of the highest.

See the London Development Agency (LDA) website (link below) for further information on procurement opportunities for the London Olympic Games for companies in Herefordshire. For further information please contact Advantage West Midlands on telephone 0121 380 3500 or you can can get further information from some of the websites listed below.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has launched an online eTendering and planning package to help companies compete for up to 2,000 contracts throughout the delivery of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. For details check the resource box below.

Redundant Building Grant Scheme
The Redundant Building Grant scheme has proved very successful in helping businesses bring redundant buildings back into commercial use and the team have recently had confirmation that the programme will be continued, with grants available across much of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. This scheme assists with the cost of bringing a redundant building back into business use. There have been several successful projects completed now and the team has a number of case studies they can share. Details can be found on the Business Grants pages (see link below).

Business Start-up Programme
Business Link runs the Business Start up Programme for anyone wishing to start their own business. The training is free and addresses all the issues related to setting up in business, and includes ongoing mentoring and support for a period of time. Individual advice is available from Business Advisors, and specialist support is also available. For more information call Business Link West Midlands on 0845 113 1234 (and see Riverside Training below).

Riverside Training
The local provider of the Business Link West Midlands Business Start Up Programme is Riverside Training on St Martin Street in Hereford. They can be contacted on 01432 349950.

Bridge-it Partnership Herefordshire
'Bridge-it Partnership Herefordshire' is a new subsidised environmental business support programme for SME's in Herefordshire that is run and managed by Groundwork Birmingham and supported by Economic Regeneration. Click on the Bridge-It Scheme below for more information.

Train to Gain
Train to Gain is an initiative sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council to help small and medium sized enterprises to find the training they need for their workforce. Train to Gain skills brokers provide a free, independent and impartial assessment to identify your business needs now and in the future. They can help arrange training and provide information about possible sources of funding. The service in the West Midlands will offer employers:

• a comprehensive analysis and range of solutions to your training needs
• easy access to relevant, high quality training
• information and advice on qualifications and training
• follow-up and support to develop ongoing strategies to address future training needs

To find out more about Train to Gain call 08000 754 557 or follow the web link below.