Higher Performing Workplaces helping you to get ‘Back in Business’

Helping you to get ‘Back in Business’

Businesses across the Leeds City Region can now benefit from a wide range of funded training options through the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges (WYCC) and our training partners.

Training programmes

The Higher Performing Workplaces project aims to support businesses to grow through developing internal talent. Launched in April 2020, an extensive range of training programmes are now available with 40% funding towards the cost from the European Social Fund (ESF)*.

The training programmes cover Empowering Leaders, Effective Human Resources, Innovative Working and Export and Innovation.

Joanne Patrickson, Project Director at the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges said,

“We’re excited by the varied skills programme available for businesses in the region and much of the training offer has been adapted to allow individuals to learn remotely.”

“We have commissioned a range of quality training providers who can work with businesses to make sure that their skills-needs can be met, even during these tough times. We just ask that any business who wants to improve the skills within their team to get in touch and we can do the rest.”

Back in Business peer to peer sessions

SMEs in the region will also be able to access to fully-funded 'Peer to Peer' group sessions to help get ‘Back in Business’ in the current challenging environment. These sessions are commencing Tuesday 1 September.

Joanne said,

“These sessions will allow individuals to connect with like-minded business people from across our region to share experiences and ideas to get back on the road to business growth.

“We’re giving SMEs the opportunity to solve issues with their peers and action-plan to take their business forward in a changing economy, at no cost to them. Each session will be facilitated by a highly qualified coach, who will support and encourage solution-based discussions.”

Business Performance Mentoring

WYCC Mentoring Associates can provide mentoring to individuals working in SMEs in the region in response to the current climate. The mentors will aim to build skills of employers to cope with the volatile and complex challenges that they currently face. The programme of Business Performance Mentoring will be 40% funded by the European Social Fund.

Joanne continued,

“Businesses will be able to choose a mentoring associate and develop key skills such as strategy, persuasion, change, communication, planning and problem solving. The mentoring could be used enhance marketing and sales power, relationship building and tactics or help to overcome obstacles, prioritise, manage time, set targets, goals, business development and importantly, growth.”

Higher Performing Workplaces is managed by the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges and funded by the European Social Fund.

*To be eligible for HPW funding businesses must be based in one of the following districts: Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield or York and the business must be an SME: employ fewer than 250 full time equivalent staff and have an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million.