Business Consultancy Services for the ERDF funded Enterprise Steps Project

The Department of Apprenticeships, Partnerships and Innovation (API) was established by Newham College of Further Education to lead on activities to support the local and regional regeneration and apprenticeship agenda, and to open up new ways of training and supporting individuals and businesses.

The College supports businesses across a wide range of sectors, and specialises in support to business start-ups, creative businesses, and businesses owned by women and people from Black and Asian Minority Ethnic communities.

Enterprise Steps is a part ERDF funded project led by Newham College in partnership with London South Bank University and Nwes (Norfolk & Waveney Enterprise Services Ltd. The project will continue to identify and engage pre-trade and early stage SMEs pan-London in areas of low enterprise activity and amongst under-represented groups to create new enterprises and help existing enterprises survive, prosper and grow by delivering a three-stage programme:

STAGE 1: New pre-start and fledgling enterprises receive a tailored programme to support their creation and establishment.

STAGE 2: ENTERPRISE SUPPORT PROGRAMME: Existing early stage enterprises, along with new enterprises created through Stage 1 will agree a tailored programme of activities including mentoring and workshops, to help them survive, flourish and grow.

STAGE 3: FASTRACK ESCALATOR : As part of the diagnostic assessment and action plan, new or early stage businesses with potential for growth will be identified. These will be benchmarked against a 5-point criteria for growth potential.

Eligible enterprises will be enrolled onto the Fast Track Escalator programme, which provides additional one to one support, training and intensive strategy work.

The advice delivered by Newham College will contribute to the overall outputs of the programme:

• 655 enterprises supported

• 420 new enterprises supported

• 90 increased employment

• 225 entrepreneurs supported

• 44 new to the market products

Enterprise Steps is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is one of the European Union's Structural Funds which is used to tackle regional disparities across Europe. ERDF helps to stimulate economic development and growth; it provides support to businesses, encourages innovation and supports regeneration.

Enterprise Steps delivery has recently been extended until March 2023 and as a result Newham College require the service of a business consultant to support the delivery of the Enterprise Steps ERDF funded project to potential businesses and entrepreneurs who could benefit from the support available.

The number of days that can be offered is approximately two days of consultancy per week up to a maximum of 232 days. It is anticipated that the contract will last for 32 months (to 31st December 2022).We will accept applications from companies or individual consultants.