Bournville College is to sponsor the prestigious in the category of Small Business and Business Start-up.
The award category complements the work the college has been undertaking in partnership with Birmingham Post Regional Growth Fund, supporting SMEs in their growth.
First established in 1913, has been going from strength to strength in pursuit of its mission to be the education and training provider of first choice.
In March 2012, the college partnered with Birmingham Post in management of the Birmingham Post Growth Fund.
The £5 million pot which is part of the Government’s Regional Growth Fund is set to be distributed to small businesses with a view to creating at least 250 long term jobs.
Norman Cave, principal at Bournville College said: “We are delighted to be managing this important and exciting initiative.
"Through this grants scheme we want to provide a much needed lifeline to innovative small and medium-sized businesses and enterprises to enable them to grow and prosper in difficult times and provide a structure for creating real jobs and training to meet their specific needs.”
Since its launch, almost £4.5 million has been distributed already amongst some 50 companies, enabling them to expand their business portfolios and create and safeguard over 200 jobs across Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull.
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The fund has now reached the final round of business applications closing on August 2 and Bournville College is a key partner in advising businesses on how to maximise their chances to succeed in their applications.
Sarah Louise O’Looney, from Truth Of Beauty salon, is just one of many business owners who benefited from the grant.
Ms O’Looney said: “Being a business owner, I had plans to grow my business by writing and publishing a book on men’s grooming. Bournville College did not only help me with brushing up on my IT and English to support my book writing but they also assisted me in applying for a business grant through Regional Growth Fund.
“The business grant enabled me to publish and promote my first book ‘Fresh, clean men’ which has generated additional revenue for my business.
“The support I received from Bournville College was excellent and helped me achieve a lot in a short space of time.
“It’s very encouraging to see so many businesses still looking to grow and prosper in the current economic climate; these grants will make a real difference to them.”
“At Bournville College we have the skills and experience to help companies realise their potential and we look forward to working in partnership with them to create new jobs and provide advice and training to meet their specific needs," added Mr Cave.
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To help SMEs further with developing comprehensive and robust company strategies, the college has partnered with Incisive Edge – the revenue generation specialists, in order to deliver intensive executive programmes for business owners.
These include executive strategic development programme and intensive startup bootcamp programme, both aimed at company decision makers, enabling them to deliver specific business growth objectives.
The college also specialises in offering advice and practical solutions in terms of recruitment, training and development, helping to improve prosperity of businesses through the creation of a well-trained and competent workforce.
Organisational needs analysis and tailormade business packages are being constantly developed by business development managers at Bournville College.
Apprenticeships, employee training, recruitment solutions, short and bite-size courses, bespoke programmes as well as flexible online training are just some of the packages available to all organisations, regardless of their size.
The college’s comprehensive portfolio of business clients includes organisations from a wide range of sectors including: Tesco, Jaguar Land Rover, MG Motor, Hungry Horse, West Midlands Special Needs Transport and many more.
In its centenary year, the college is looking forward to a bright and promising future and one that will bring even more opportunities to businesses regionally, nationally and internationally.
Bournville College is proud of the achievements of all local businesses and wishes all the entrants, especially those in the category of Small Business and Business Start-up, the very best of luck.
Business enquiries about Birmingham Post Regional Growth Fund should be directed to Elaine Kingston – Regional Growth Fund project manager at Bournville College on 0121 477 1393 or email elaine.kingston@bournville.ac.uk.
• , which will take place at Edgbaston Stadium on October 18.
The Post will be recognising the fantastic achievements of the companies that have not only weathered the recent economic storm but have delivered success for themselves, their staff and their customers.
It is an opportunity for companies to showcase the efforts of their teams – from managing directors to menial staff – who have come together to strengthen and grow despite an imperfect economic situation.”
Categories include Communications, Property, Legal and Business Advisory, Finance, Environment, Manufacturing, People Development, Small Business and Business Start-Up, Emerging Professional, Medium to Large Business and Company of the Year.
Among were IM Property, Wesleyan Assurance Society and Chiltern Railways, who all enjoyed strong years despite tough conditions.
Being shortlisted is a great way to raise your company’s profile as its achievements will be highlighted in front of hundreds of the city’s movers and shakers on the night of the awards.
The success will also feature in a special post-awards supplement in the Birmingham Post.
Full details and eligibility criteria are available at
• To discuss sponsorship options or for more information contact Andy George on 0121 234 5476 or email andy.george@trinitymirror.com.