North East Ambition

The programme is now closed, but it provided significant assistance to local businesses to develop and upskill their workforce.

Objectives:

• To help SMEs in the North East take advantage of opportunities to develop skills and grow their business.
• To address skills gaps within local businesses through tailored support.
• To facilitate connections between businesses and training providers, funding options, and local education institutions.

Target Beneficiaries:

• SMEs based in the North East LEP area, including Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland, and Durham.
• Businesses with fewer than 250 employees, turnover under €50 million, or balance sheet total under €43 million.
• Businesses that have not received more than €200,000 of De Minimis State Aid in the last 3 years.

Key Features:

• Free, impartial consultancy service provided by dedicated Skills Facilitators.
• Bespoke action plans developed for each business to identify skills needs.
• Support to find appropriate skills and employment programmes for recruitment and upskilling.
• Assistance in identifying training courses and trusted providers.
• Advice on funding options and business support including marketing, HR, and financial management.
• Help to build networks and partnerships with schools and colleges to access future talent.

Application Process:

• Businesses engaged with a Skills Facilitator who assessed their needs and developed a tailored plan.
• The programme was delivered in partnership with the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and part-funded by the European Social Fund.
• Registration and support were free while the programme was active.

Impact:

• Supported over 700 businesses and more than 800 individuals in the North East with their skills needs.

This programme was designed to make navigating the skills landscape easier for SMEs, helping them recruit smarter, invest in training, and achieve business goals through targeted support and funding advice.