Wellbeing, Employability and Skills for Growth 

Over 3000 SMEs and 20,000 learners have now completed the Skills for Growth programme. With positive impacts and phenomenal results being achieved for Greater Manchester, June's focus on World Wellbeing Week (26 - 30 June) and Employability Day (30 June), reminds us that investment in learning and development reaches beyond strengthened skillsets, it contributes towards significantly improved wellbeing and career development opportunities. 

Wellbeing 

Covering financial security, physical, mental and emotional health, Wellbeing has ever been so important in our lives and our livelihoods. World Wellbeing Week (26-30 June) is a reminder to nurture and prioritise wellbeing. With many SMEs realising the benefit of commitment to improving their workplace culture embracing and investing in practices such as Wellbeing First Aiders, Wellness Wednesdays and gathering valuable feedback via Staff Surveys, offering a route to retain and attract talent.   

How Skills for Growth - SME Support is contributing towards Wellbeing

The Bitesize 'E' Learning portal included as part of the Skills for Growth - SME Support programme, offers an attractive benefit for SMEs participating in the programme. With access to over 2000 on-demand courses, there has been a significant increase in the number of Health and Wellbeing courses being accessed by learners. The additional benefit of a dedicated Health and Wellbeing brochure, showcases a selection of the courses available, but more importantly signposting to where individuals can get further support in Greater Manchester. 

Dedicated Skills Coaches

Our team of Skills Coaches contact one to one skills development meetings with each SME learner on the Skills for Growth - SME Support programme. As well as creating a bespoke skills development plan, this can also be an opportunity to communicate their future aspirations within the business. This conversation has had a positive impact as the Skills Coach identifies the training courses that can match with the outlined goals and objectives. 

As one of the SMEs on our Skills for Growth - SME Support programme said 

“Being able to draw on the Skills for Growth team was invaluable.  Joanne’s expertise conducting the one-to-one meetings with our employees helped us glean an insight into their individual aspirations, and with Joanne’s help, were able to guide employees to relevant training opportunities.” (Alison Griffies, Quality and Health and Safety Manager, Macpac Limited) 

Employability

Employability Day 2023 on Friday 30th June concentrates on the theme of #WorkingForBetterWork. This awareness day aims to highlight the issues confronting both workers and jobseekers, and to help them to break down barriers preventing meaningful employment. The rise in 'working from home' has presented the need for strengthened IT skills and improved soft skills, especially communication, as workers navigate the online working environment.

How Skills for Growth - SME Support is contributing towards Employability

The rising popularity of Apprenticeships has provided opportunities for SMEs to upskill existing employees, bolster their team and futureproof their business. Now celebrating over 230 Apprenticeships being facilitated as part of the Skills for Growth - SME Support programme, we're proud to be assisting Greater Manchester's to realise the positive impact that Apprenticeships can offer the business. 

Skills for Growth

Working with SMEs across Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs; Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan. the Skills for Growth SME Support programme is a fully funded, tailored service, designed to help improve productivity and drive business growth. Offering fully funded training, Bitesize 'E' Learning and dedicated support from expert Skills Coaches, SMEs benefit from a bespoke expert-led skills evaluation to identify the skills gaps that are preventing the achievement of company goals and objectives.

By following 3-steps to success, Greater Manchester's SMEs are achieving business and individual achievements, contributing to workforce satisfaction.