Work with the Growth Hub: LEAD and Steps Into Digital Programmes
The Growth Hub are now planning our programmes of support for local businesses for the year, and are again looking to work with expert providers to deliver this support. These programmes are funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF)
Two opportunities to work with the Growth Hub are now being launched:
LEAD: Leadership Excellence and Development
Deadline: Friday 16/05/2025
The LEAD programme is designed to support management and business leaders through a match-funded delivery model. It aims to provide long-term benefits to businesses by addressing common challenges such as recruitment and retention. The programme encourages business owners to collaborate on developing long-term skills plans to support their growth ambitions.
Training Aims:
- Soft Skills and Customer Service: Improve communication skills, especially for younger employees.
- Recruitment: Effective recruitment strategies and techniques.
- Retention: Workforce management, career development, and training plans.
- Lean Management and Continuous Improvement: Streamline processes while maintaining quality.
- Growth Strategy: Mentoring and consultancy for business growth.
- Personal and Leadership Growth: Overcome internal barriers to unlock potential.
- Succession Planning: Prepare for future workforce needs.
- Project Management: Introductory training.
- Sales Management and Techniques: Training for managers and team members.
- Finance: Basic skills for non-finance specialists.
- Peer to Peer: Share best practices among senior managers and business owners.
The programme seeks training providers who can deliver lasting impact and positive change, with attendees leaving with actionable plans to implement their learnings.
Steps into Digital
Deadline: Monday 19/05/2025
The ‘Steps into Digital’ programme by the Growth Hub is designed to support businesses in their digital transformation journey. This comprehensive initiative will offer a range of workshops and one-on-one advisory sessions, covering seven key topics to help businesses overcome common barriers such as cost, complexity, and time constraints.
The main objectives of the programme are to simplify technology adoption by providing tailored roadmaps, offer flexible delivery options (both online and in-person), collaborate with local providers and tech specialists, and leverage government grants to encourage digital innovation.
Support will be divided into seven pillars, each focusing on specific areas:
- Digital Marketing Mastery: From website essentials and social media support to advanced campaign automation.
- Ecommerce Essentials: Setting up online stores to expanding internationally.
- Business Automation & Efficiency: Workflow tools to AI-powered automation.
- Data Analytics for Smarter Decisions: Basics of data software to predictive analytics.
- Cyber Security & Digital Resilience: Cybersecurity basics to advanced threat detection.
- Digital Tools for Remote Working & Collaboration: Collaboration tools to custom digital workflows.
- Sector-Specific Digital Transformation: Tailored support for key sectors like Agri-Tech, Tourism, Retail, Manufacturing, VCSEs, and Creatives.
Overall, the ‘Steps into Digital’ programme aims to make technology more accessible and beneficial for businesses of all sizes, helping them thrive in the digital age.
Applications have now closed.
If you’re interested in benefiting from the programme, visit Steps into Digital Programme: Expression of Interest
Steps into Digital: Digital Marketing Mastery
Step into Digital this September with Digital Marketing Mastery, a three-part weekly seminar session, hosted at Patch York. Led by Katie Thompson, founder of content marketing service Katie Lingo.
Business Basics Webinar Series
Starting in August 2025, the Growth Hub will one again be joined by Jo Tomlinson from Business Works for a series of fully funded ‘Business Basics’ webinars looking at pricing, planning and all things numbers. The full series will be recorded and hosted on the Growth Hub website.
Steps into Digital Programme
The Steps into Digital programme focusses on strategic, guided steps toward adopting the right digital tools and practices for your business. Emphasising a supportive, paced approach to digital transformation, accessible and manageable to all at any level.
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