Business Support Benefits

The Unite with Business programme provides eligible North West Small to Medium enterprises (SME) with a free business support programme until 31/12/2012, through supported knowledge exchange to increase business innovation, performance and productivity.

The programme is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The Programme is delivered via a consortium of 6 North West Universities, thus assuring local support is available to North West businesses:

• University of Central Lancashire (Lead)
• Lancaster University
• University of Cumbria
• University of Bolton
• University of Salford
• University of Chester

Uses graduates and undergraduates to deliver skills, knowledge and resource into business in the form of short term business engagements to address project work, extra pair of hands, or provide a specialist knowledge etc.  The nature of the work being to address a skills or resource shortage within the company.

Business support will be provided via graduates, post graduates and final year undergraduate students that reside within the North West area.  All graduates or students, regardless of university of origin, are eligible to apply for the opportunities.

The project will fund an individual to work within a business on an agreed task or project for a maximum of 150 hours.  Should the project require additional hours the cost must be met by the participating business and paid directly to the individual at a rate of £6.00 per hour.

The programme is able to support more specialist SME needs with a financial contribution towards bespoke consultancy to deliver practical guidance to Senior Management within the business and work with a graduate/undergraduate to complete a task  e.g. ISO 9001 or 14001 accreditation.

The service will be available to all SMEs that fulfil the eligibility criteria of the programme- eligibility is based upon location, industrial sector, business turnover and employee numbers – businesses will be advised further as to their eligibility upon enquiry.  There is no cost for the service.

SME business owners who have identified a need to recruit staff with a specialist skill can advertise opportunities free of charge on the Unite with Business web site and have direct access to the talent pool of North West students and graduates registered on the site.