Issue 1, Summer 2011
With the announcement that Pfizer is to close in 2012 your business may well be affected.
The Kent Economic Board (KEB) is a sub-regional economic partnership for Kent. On a day-to-day level it identifies the shared view of the strategic economic development and regeneration priorities for the county of Kent.
In this edition we are highlighting where you can find out about the potential help that is currently available from local partners.
We want your business to continue to flourish
Help from Job Centre Plus
An outline of the JobCentre Plus support including advice on job searching, benefits and redundancy. Jobcentre Plus is an executive agency of the Department for Work and Pensions. It provides services that support people of working age from welfare into work, and helps employers to fill their vacancies.
Help from Further Education
An outline of the Further Education support for businesses and economic growth. Kent Association of FE Corporations (KAFEC) is an innovative partnership of the six further education colleges based in Kent and Medway. It is primarily a strategic partnership, which seeks to promote further education.
Help from KATO
The Kent Association of Training Organisations (KATO) was established more than 25 years ago to promote and deliver education and training throughout Kent and Medway.
Help from Higher Education
An outline of the Higher Education support for businesses and economic growth. KUBE (Kent Universities for Business & Enterprise) is a collaborative project between Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Greenwich, University for the Creative Arts and University of Kent.
Help from the Federation of Small Businesses
The voice of small businesses; the FSB is Britain’s leading business organisation protecting and promoting the interests of the self employed and people owning or running a small firm with member benefits and a dedicated support staff campaigning on behalf of businesses at local, regional, national and EU levels.
Help from your Local Chambers
Having the strength of the British Chambers of Commerce national membership network behind us, Channel and Kent Invicta Chambers are passionate about helping local businesses succeed. We also provide a comprehensive range of added value services to assist and support anyone wishing to start a new business in Kent.
Help to Shape your Future
The Shape Your Future programme has been developed to assist people aged 50 or over explore how to use their skills for self employment.
Help from Skills South East
An outline of the help Skills South East can give you with Leadership and Management to grow your business. Skills South East give employers impartial skills advice to help them develop their people and improve business performance.
Help from Kent Innovation and Growth Team
Kent Innovation and Growth Team, support ambitious innovative and fast growth businesses at every stage of their growth path through advice, coaching, mentoring, networking and making intelligent connections. Providing targeted support for companies and start-ups that have the potential for 20% year on year growth, are scalable, innovative and have national or global aspirations and potential. Contact Sharon Petley for more details.
Help from Business Support Kent
An outline of the support from BSK-CIC. BSK is dedicated to supporting Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) to develop and grow, with a mission to inspire them about tomorrow’s world and equip them to succeed.
About KEB
KEB as a working group of the Kent Forum has a responsibility to pursue the Economic Success theme of the Vision for Kent, and Bold Steps for Kent. There is a clear expectation that it will support the implementation of the Kent Regeneration Framework via the activities of its Task Groups, the Business Advisory Board and the co-ordinating function of the Board itself.
Kent Economic Board Business Growth Consultations
During 2012 KEB will be arranging a further series of major conversations to pull together businesses in selected sectors identified as priorities for the economy.