There are a number of courses, events and training opportunities available to businesses from a variety of sources designed to assist employers and employees alike. 

Workshops and seminars for manufacturers in the East of England

Organised by Cambridge University's Institute for Manufacturing, as part of the Manufacturing Transformation Programme (MTP), a series of workshops and seminars are being held in the East of England for small and medium sized manufacturers.  The events will take place from November 2009 to May 2010 and will cover:

• supply chain management
• demand management
• delivery performance
• new product introduction

For further information or to book a place please visit the MTP page at www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/mtp


East of England Development Agency (EEDA) ‘Beyond 2010’
Beyond 2010 is a new initiative to assist small to medium-sized businesses in the East of England to give staff new skills to move the business forward.

The project works alongside Train to Gain to ensure that businesses can get the skills training that they need. Businesses employing up to 250 staff can contact specialist sector advisors who are able to discuss training needs in detail and agree with the business which training course will best meet their needs. Up to half of the cost of training is available from EEDA and the European Social Fund.

Contact details for each of the sectors that are eligible for Beyond 2010 funding are listed below. If you are unsure as to the sector that best reflects your business, or would like confirmation, please contact Tom Bendy (Programme Administrator) on 01245 702407 or tom.bendy@exdra.co.uk 

Automotive & high-tech manufacture:
Hethel Engineering Centre, Laurence Brooks, 07887 902417, lbrooks@hethelcentre.com

Creative sector:
Screen East, Anne Williamson, 01603 776920, a.williamson@screeneast.co.uk

Financial services:
Financial Services Skills Council, Paul Marshall, 0845 618 2357, paul.marshall@fssc.org.uk

Food and drink processing:
FoodEast, Lyn Bones, 0845 094 0604, lyn@foodeast.com

Life sciences and healthcare:
ERBI, Michelle Marsh, 01223 497402, michellemarsh@erbi.co.uk

Low carbon and sustainable technologies:
The East of England Energy Group, John Best, 01493 446533 jb@eeegr.com

Social enterprise:
Social Enterprise East of England, Michele Rigby, 0845 606 6296, michele.rigby@seee.co.uk

Sustainable communities and the built environment:
Inspire East, Anne Williamson, 01603 776920, a.williamson@screeneast.co.uk

Tourism and Olympics 2012:
East of England Tourism, Jenny Sheppard, 01284 727493, jsheppard@eet.org.uk

Transport gateways:
Haven Gateway, Richard Morton, 0776 9962554, richard.morton@haven-gateway.org

Community Learning and Skills Development  
Managing Community Learning and Skills Development programmes throughout Suffolk and offering a wide range of provision for adults. Training for the workforce is also provided.

Website:
http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning


Business Link East
Business Link East provides a number of business briefings and workshops in four key areas including: Sales and Marketing, Finance and Legislation, Business Practice and Using IT and the Web.

Tel: 0845 601 1000
Website: www.bookevents.org


Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES)
NWES offer comprehensive training packages carefully designed to meet a variety of needs, from start-up companies to businesses who want to develop the skills of their workforce. Training is offered by traditional means, at your premises or off-site, or via their online learning suites.

The 'Inspiring Women's Enterprise' programme run by NWES offers fully funded advice and training to women not currently in employment, who are thinking about starting a new business or looking to gain skills and build their confidence to return to work.

Contact NWES on 0845 60 99 99 1 or visit www.nwes.org.uk

Astral Centre
The Astral Centre is a state-of-the-art business and management training centre located at Lowestoft College. Aimed at individuals, companies and organisations, the centre offers high-tech training facilities, conference suites and meeting rooms suitable for a wide range of events.

Website: www.astralcentre.org.uk  


Train to Gain
Train to Gain is a Government funded initiative that can help established businesses within every industry get the skills and training they need to succeed.

The Astral Centre at Lowestoft College has secured £700,000 of skills funding to help companies get the training they need to stay ahead. Companies can take advantage of free NVQ’s in the workplace at level 2 and 3 in areas such as business, care, construction, engineering, hospitality and catering, management and many more.  To find out how your business can take advantage of Train to Gain funding call 01502 525158 or visit the website: www.astralcentre.org.uk


Learn Direct
Learndirect run a number of courses including IT courses such as word processing, databases and spreadsheets, they also run essential business and management skills courses covering finance, marketing, personnel and health and safety. There are a number of Learndirect centres throughout the region. For more information call free on 0800 100 900 or go to www.learndirect.co.uk


Directgov
The Directgov website has information and advice on all stages of education and learning including key contact points, government bodies and useful websites and addresses for the adult education and learning sector. Go to www.direct.gov.uk


Lowestoft College
Lowestoft College offer a variety of courses from GCSEs and AS/A Levels to work based learning programmes, sector specific courses and modern apprenticeships.

Website: www.lowestoft.ac.uk  
Tel: 0800 854695 or 01502 583521 (main switchboard).


Suffolk Training Advice Point (TAP)
Managed by the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council, TAP provides a free comprehensive independent source of information about learning opportunities in Suffolk. Their website has information on over 6,000 courses from training and numeracy to literacy and postgraduate education. Visit www.suffolktap.co.uk or telephone 01473 694810 / 694811 / 694814.


Department for Education and Skills
The Department for Education and Skills was established with the purpose of creating opportunity, releasing potential and achieving excellence for all.

Tel: 0870 000 2288
Website: www.dfes.gov.uk


Learning and Skills Council for Suffolk
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is responsible for education and training for everyone after the age of 16 except those studying in universities. Their work in Suffolk covers: further education colleges; training at work; school sixth forms; working with employers to develop skills; adult and community learning; and information, advice and guidance for adults and young people.

Tel: 0845 0194180
Website: www.lsc.gov.uk


Adecco Recruitment Consultants
Although based in Lowestoft, Adecco covers the whole of the Waveney district as well as further a field to Saxmundham, Leiston and Great Yarmouth. They offer a wide range of services that can be tailored to meet the precise demands of the business environment. They will support the recruitment needs of a business with a first class and personal service on a local level.

Website: www.adecco.co.uk


Job Centre Plus
Job Centre Plus gives help and advice on jobs and training for people who can work and financial help for those who cannot.

Lowestoft – Tel: 01502 504000
Beccles – Tel: 01502 404500

Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk


New Deal
New Deal is a government initiative that offers help for people who want to set up and run their own business. Also available is help writing a business plan, a test-trading period and a job funders grant.

Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk


Waveney Workforce
Established in 1996, Waveney Workforce is an independent agency specialising in industrial recruitment. Contact them for details of the latest opportunities, which change on a daily basis.

Email: office@waveneyworkforce.fsbusiness.co.uk


Women’s Employment, Enterprise & Training Unit (WEETU)
WEETU's primary purpose is to assist women in Norfolk and Waveney to develop their economic prospects and to improve access to the local labour market. They provide high quality employment and enterprise support services as well as short training courses including financial literacy, business start-ups, confidence building as well as practical skills. The services are designed specifically to meet the needs of women and address the barriers they face.

Website: www.weetu.org


UK Engineering Recruitment Ltd
Specialist recruitment agency supplying permanent and temporary labour to the oil/gas/nuclear and associated industries.

Website: www.ukerltd.co.uk


Waveney Community Forum CVS
The Waveney Community Forum CVS works in partnership with the Suffolk Association of Voluntary Organisations (SAVO) to put on training programmes for local groups.

Website: www.waveneycf.org.uk