Help for Business
Business Support
Business Link offer a range of free support to find finance, raise productivity, or save money. Whether you need to increase cashflow, keep your staff on or simply reduce costs, you can get real help to keep your business fighting fit. Click here for more information.
Wakefield Libraries provide a range of information to businesses in the district, including access to British Standards, company information and factsheets for SMEs from the COBRA business reference advice service. Cick here for more information.
Improving Business Cashflow
Business Link provides advice on how to identify potential cashflow problems. Click here for more information.
Business Link provides a tool to assess the most suitable form of finance for your business. Click here for more information.
There are several signs that can suggest it's time to check a customer's financial situation. Click here for more information.
If you are sourcing new customers you may wish to register your company details on the Council procurement portal, the Supplier and Contract Management System. Registering allows businesses to either tender for business with the Council, or target larger suppliers for sub-contracting opportunities. Click here for more information.
There are a number of government guaranteed financial schemes available to help viable businesses with temporary cashflow problems. Click here for more information.
Credit Management Matters provides useful advice on managing cashflow and enforcing payment. Click here for more information
Business Debt Advice
Getting your debtors to pay their bills can be a difficult and time-consuming activity. Business Link has an online tool that lays out all the options available to you. Click here for more information.
The Business Debt Line helps any business that has cashflow or debt problems. They offer practical advice that is designed to help you successfully manage your way through your financial difficulties. Click here for more information.
The UK Debt Help & Insolvency Helpline is the UK’s first fully interactive online resource which enables all types of commercial entities and individuals the opportunity to have direct access to the UK’s most skilled professional advice on all debt and insolvency issues. Click here for more information.
Redundancy Information
Business Link provides redundancy dismissal procedure information. Click here for more information.
ACAS provide a range of business support information, including useful advice on redundancy handling, short-term working and notice periods. Click here for more information.
Insolvency
Business Link provides information on how to reduce the risk of insolvency by suggesting actions to take and sources of advice to approach. Click here for more information.
The Insolvency Service provides initial information on insolvency and redundancy legislation and procedures, including redundancy payments offices and bankruptcy. Click here for more information.
Recruitment, Training & Skills Support
Train to Gain is a national skills service that offers skills advice on everything from Investors in People, basic skills through to leadership and management training. Click here for more information.
The Train to Gain Enhancement Fund provides resources to support training activity that meets specific business needs which are not currently being met through existing programmes. The fund supports the cost of training to a maximum of 60%. Applications up to a maximum of £20,000 will be accepted. Click here for more information.
Learn how to train your staff to beat the recession and attract more customers with Learn Direct. Click here more information.
Services to Business is the department within Wakefield College that focuses on the training needs of companies. The Enhancement Fund is open to any company or organisation and funds 60% of training costs (as long as the course is not mandatory or can be funded in any other way). For staff being made redundant the Enhancement Fund will extend to the full cost of training to improve skills for re-employment opportunities. Click here for more information or call Services to Business at Wakefield College on 01924 789715.
The National Apprenticeship Service provides up to 5,000 Apprenticeship Grants for Employers of 16 and 17 year olds (AGE 16 and 17) with a value of £2,500 to encourage employers to take on unemployed 16-17 year olds as apprentices. All 16 and 17 year olds who are not in employment or already on an Apprenticeship programme are eligible. This includes those who may have had a place in a college or school but have subsequently dropped out. The young person will need to have been recruited and in work before the end of March 2010. Click here to complete an online enquiry form.
Energy Savings Advice
The Carbon Trust aim to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by working with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies. Companies can borrow from £5,000 to £200,000 to upgrade to more energy efficient equipment. The Carbon Trust provides free carbon surveys to organisations with annual energy bills of more than £50,000. Click here for more information.
The Energy Saving Trust provides a range of resources to help your organisation reduce carbon dioxide emissions, reducing the amount of energy you consume. Click here for more information.
The Manufacturing Advisory Service provides access to practical manufacturing advice and support to help businesses improve their productivity and efficiency levels. Click here for more information.
