Wide range of sustainability of support available to SMEs

"Sustainability is increasingly a cross-cutting theme in all programmes delivered by the County Council."

Warwickshire County Council, along with partners in the region, delivers a range of business support schemes with sustainability at their heart.

A primary source of this sustainability-themed support is the Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service (WBEAS). Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, WBEAS is delivered by Coventry City Council on behalf of Warwickshire’s six local authorities.

As a branch of the £4.6 million Business Growth Warwickshire Programme, the WBEAS has been designed to support the creation of a green, growing and sustainable economy across Warwickshire through promoting energy efficiency. For more information please visit Unlocking low carbon adoption: The Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service – Warwickshire County Council

Sustainability is increasingly a cross-cutting theme in all programmes delivered by the County Council. Ten of the 30 loans allocated by the Local Communities and Enterprise Fund (part of the wider Warwickshire Investment Fund) in 2023/24 supported environmental objectives.

Meanwhile, Warwickshire Skills Hub’s Future Focus Skills Programme is available to SMEs looking to develop workforce skills with a focus on new and emerging technologies such as vehicle electrification, battery technology, digital skills and anything that supports the Net Zero and Sustainability agenda.

The programme entails: 

The Future Apprenticeships – Salary Support Programme 

• If an SME takes on an apprentice in new and emerging technologies such as Vehicle Electrification, Battery Technology, Digital Skills or a standard that supports the Net Zero and Sustainability agenda,
• They can apply to this fund for £2,000 salary support.
• This is capped at five people per business per financial year.

The Future Focus Apprenticeships Programme - New Direction 50+

• SMEs taking on or upskilling an existing member of staff who is aged 50+, can apply to this fund to cover the cost of the 5% employer contribution for their apprenticeship training.
• Businesses can also apply for up to a maximum of £750 from the Additional Training Fund. This is for training that is identified outside of the apprenticeship standard.
• This can also be used to match fund an employer contribution should the amount exceed the WCC support.
• This is capped at 5 people per business per business per financial year.

The New Direction 50+ Skills Investment Fund

This programme is designed to support over 50s in gaining new knowledge and skills to help them progress within the workplace.

• A available to Warwickshire businesses wishing to invest in the progression of a 50+ employee to undertake further training which contributes to the future needs of the business.
• The programme offers up to £1,000 grant funding towards training or a qualification to be delivered by a college or independent training provider.
• Capped at five people per business per financial year.

SMEs looking to take on an apprentice with a future focus, aged 22 or above and below 50 can apply to the Warwickshire County Council Apprenticeship Levy Share Programme to fund the cost of their apprentice's training.

Furthermore, SMEs with employees who have already completed an apprenticeship with their business in the last three years and want to complete a further apprenticeship in a standard that has a future focus can apply to WCC’s Apprenticeship Progression Payment Programme for a £1,000 incentive payment.