Small Firms Initiative VAL-U programme
| Dates run: | October 2003 - March 2006 |
| Boroughs occupied: | Lambeth, Southwark & Wandsworth |
| Statistics: | 210 participants |
| Funder: | ESF |
| Partners: | City University, Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce, South Bank Employee's Group |
The Small Firms Initiative (SFI) Val-U programme offered business support to owner-managers of established small and micro businesses in the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Wandsworth. The programme sought to do this particularly through workforce development with a focus on the quality standard for business excellence - Investors in People (IiP)
Through one-to-one advice, training, networking and sign-posting, participating companies were supported in drawing up and implementing action plans to harness the power of their workforce and thereby improving business performance.
GLE oneLondon recognised that investing in one's employees not only creates a better working environment, but it also helps a business to grow. By providing employees the chance to develop their skills and recognise their achievements, the result is higher employee motivation. This in turn leads to greater productivity, improved retention rates, reduced absenteeism, and readier acceptance of change. All that adds up to improved earnings, healthier profits, reduced costs and wastage and greater customer satisfaction. These are just a few of the benefits enjoyed by over 15,000 small and medium businesses that have used the IiP framework to improve business performance.
Key highlights:
- A free audit was carried out by a business adviser who worked with the company to produce an outline Work Force Development Plan. For those companies that wanted to prepare for an IiP assessment, a range of business support services were also then offered.
For a small registration fee, each company was then able to access £500 worth of free business services including:
- A two day introductory course in Work Force Development provided by City University covering: business analysis and planning, appraisal and performance management, coaching and mentoring, costing learning events and evaluating the benefits of learning. They also offered a certificate in Work Force Development through workshops and on-line learning, which equipped businesses with the knowledge and skills needed to develop a long term business improvement plan and to prepare for IiP assessment.
- A 30 hour University Certificate in Work Force Development to equip the company with the knowledge and skills needed to develop a long term Business Improvement Plan and to prepare for IiP assessment, if desired.
- Access to a range of learning opportunities aimed at improving business operations, e.g. marketing the small firm, managing people, managing finances, book keeping, health and safety and ICT business solutions. The business can then go for assessment and recognition of IiP if appropriate.
The results:
As a result of the SFI Val-U programme, 190 participants entered training to develop their workforce.
Our partners:
The project was delivered in partnership wtih City University, Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce, South Bank Employee's Group and was funded by the Business Link London and Learning and Skills Council pan-London European Social Fund programme.
Contact us:
For more information about the SFI project contact Ciprian Bolos on ciprian.b@gle.co.uk
