Sheffield university awarded £1.8m to help businesses struggling under Covid-19 lockdown restrictions

Sheffield Hallam University are leading a project to support regional businesses that are struggling during the pandemic after they were awarded £1.8 million worth of funding.
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The initiative led by Sheffield Hallam with support from The Sheffield College and the RNN Group, aims to help companies to diversify and adapt alongside ever-changing Covid-19 lockdown rules.

Businesses will be offered a diagnostic service through an ‘SME Hub’ and will receive a tailored package of products, services and academic expertise to support them during the ongoing crisis.

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The multi-million-pound funding from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) aims to bring the university’s and its partner colleges’ services together to create a package to help SMEs overcome difficulties during the pandemic.

Sheffield Hallam University.Sheffield Hallam University.
Sheffield Hallam University.

Skilled graduates and students will be matched with businesses for short and long-term projects and placements, which focus on up-skilling the current workforce and implementing professional development programmes.

Companies can also collaborate with sector-specialist academics to solve organisational problems that limit their growth during the coronavirus restrictions.

Conor Moss, group director and dean of work-based learning at Sheffield Hallam, said: “This project will transform the way we work with businesses to ensure each client receives access to the right support, services and expertise to address the skills priorities and needs of the business.

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“The Sheffield City Region will benefit from this service by increasing the number of SME businesses achieving or exceeding their growth aims, and by encouraging more young people to begin careers in the region once they finish their education – supporting the Government’s levelling up agenda.

“The programme will particularly benefit small or micro-businesses who are often challenged by limited resources, strategic planning capacity and the ability to engage with innovation and manage change.”

Andrew Hartley, Executive Director, Commercial and Operations, The Sheffield College added: "We are pleased to work together to back SMEs in Sheffield and the wider region as part of a skills led economic recovery.

"The Sheffield College has a strong track record and already provides around 2,400 employers with apprenticeships, training, professional qualifications and industry placements enabling them to get the skills and talent necessary for a sustainable future.

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“We are pleased to join forces on this vital work, which also reflects our recently announced strategic partnership with Sheffield Hallam University.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.