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West Midlands

See details of local industry events, support and networks 

What's happening in your area

​Employer surgeries are being held on the following dates:

  • 20 February at Walsall Colllege, Green Lane Campus 12:30 -4:30
  • 12 March at Walsall Colllege, Green Lane Campus 8.30-4.00
  • 7 April Wolverhamton venue tbc
  • 23  April at Walsall Colllege, Green Lane Campus 8:30-4.00
  • 11 June at Walsall Colllege, Green Lane Campus 8:30-4.00
  • 16 July at Walsall Colllege, Green Lane Campus 8:30-4.00

To book into one of the surgeries please email: Lorna.Banks@citb.co.uk

Business support services

Black Country Growth Hub

Black Country businesses can access a wide range of support and expertise to help them improve competitiveness and grow through:

  • a single point of contact
  • funding and finance options
  • export opportunities
  • innovation and product development guidance
  • skills and training
  • incubation/start-up support
  • legal/regulatory support
  • premises and relocation information
  • assistance in developing your growth plan
  • specialist advice and consultancy.

Contact

The region is undergoing a period of significant inward investment, with many millions of pounds being spent on a number of important infrastructure projects, including the arrival of HS2, the Midland Metro expansion and the Midland Metropolitan Hospital to name just a few.

There will be thousands of business opportunities available within the HS2 supply chain alone, with significant contracts available across all sectors. Spread over a number of years, the work will require a wide range of capabilities and will be suitable for suppliers of all sizes.

https://www.bcgrowthhub.com/supply/

Funding to help you grow

Midlands Engine Investment Fund offers four different funding options to help your business grow, ranging from small business loans to fund start-ups, to later-stage equity investment that allows established businesses to continue growing.

See MEIF Website for details

WMCA - Brownfield Land & Property Development Fund
The Brownfield Land & Property Development Fund (BLPDF) enables the unlocking of sites, remediates the industrial legacy and brings forward investable propositions. The fund is designed to regenerate brownfield sites across the WMCA’s geography, including the Black Country. Eligible projects include commercial, industrial, offices, residential, retail and leisure, with investments starting from £500k to a maximum £5m.

See Frontier Development Capital website for details


WMCA – Commercial Investment Fund

The West Midlands Combined Authority Commercial Investment Fund (WMCA CIF) supports the acceleration of commercial property developments within the West Midlands area. It is a revolving fund that aims to underpin the region’s long term growth and stability. Created by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) the fund is open to property developers within the WMCA geography, including the Black Country. Eligible projects include: commercial, light industrial and residential regeneration opportunities (residential as part of a mixed scheme), with investments from £1m to £7m.

See Frontier Development Capital website for details

Heritage Enterprise

Heritage Lottery Fund supports all kinds of projects, as long as they make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities. Their funding is used to record the diverse stories of your community, breathe new life into a historic park, create vibrant town centres, and much more.

A range of different grant programmes is available with grants from £3,000 to over £5million.

See Heritage Fund website for details

Training groups in your area

There are two training groups at present for the Black Country:

Midlands Construction Training Group

Area coverage: Construction Employers based in the Midlands
Key contact: Debbie Westwood

Tel: 07748 300796
Emai:  debbiewestwood1@outlook.com

Midlands Roof Training Group 

Group Training Officer: Paul Harper

Tel: 07968 505161
Email: paul@midlandrooftraining.co.uk

Your CITB Advisor

Lorna Banks

Lorna Banks, CITB Advisor Black Country

I have always had a passion for construction, starting in my parents’ home as an inquisitive 14-year-old, 'helping' install the central heating system - I'm a great pipe bender! Having spent thirty years in Apprenticeships, Education and training, as a National Training Manager. I joined CITB in March 2017, originally as an Apprentice Officer before being promoted to the Advisor role.

My main focus is ensuring that employers know about the full range of CITB grants and funding that are on offer and how this can help businesses grow and thrive. I also support the many construction stakeholders in the region through partnerships and relationship building.

Contact me:

Your local CITB apprenticeship officer

What area is covered Contact name Contact details
Black country Joanna Blakeman Tel: 0778522757
Email: Joanna.blakeman@citb.co.uk
Dudley Michelle Wood Tel: 07900026653
Email: michelle.wood@citb.co.uk
Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell Jenny Dallaway Tel: 0755717242   
Email: jenny.dallaway@citb.co.uk

What's happening in your area

Learn more about grants and funds with local advisor Phil Warwick

As your Coventry & Warwickshire CITB Advisor, a key part of my role is to ensure that all registered employers in my area are aware of the grants and funding that are available to help support you with your training plans.

With that in mind, I would like to invite you to attend a 1:1 meeting with me. These sessions can last up to one hour and are an excellent opportunity for you to see how CITB can support your business and how you can access the grants and funding that CITB offers for construction training.

The sessions are being held on:

29 January 2020 -  Double Tree by Hilton, Paradise Way, Walsgrave Triangle, Coventry, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, CV2 2ST

5 February 2020 - The Millers, Twycross Road, Sibson, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, CV13 6LB

12 February 2020 - Hilton, A429 Stratford Road, Junction 15, M40, Warwick, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, CV34 6RE

4 March 2020 – Double Tree by Hilton, Paradise Way, Walsgrave Triangle, Coventry, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, CV2 2ST

11 March 2020 - The Millers, Twycross Road, Sibson, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, CV13 6LB

18 March 2020 - Macdonald Alveston Manor Hotel, Clopton Bridge, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, CV37 7HP

The venues are easily commutable within Coventry & Warwickshire and all come with free parking.

We have various times available for you to attend throughout the day and they are: 

  • 09:00 – 10:00
  • 10:15 – 11:15
  • 11:30 – 12:30
  • 13:15 – 14:15
  • 14:30 – 15:30
  • 15:45 – 16:45

If you would like to keep a preferred date and time free and book one of these 1:1 sessions, please reply back via my email or mobile number (details below), advising me of your choice.

However, if you cannot attend on any of these dates and you would still like to meet with me to discuss the possible financial support available, please make contactand I will happily arrange a visit to your office at a convenient time for you.

If you wish to find out more about the grants and funding we offer for construction training please see:

What you can get funding for

I look forward to hearing from you and hope to meet up very soon.

Business support services

Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub
                                                                      
Launched in 2014, the Growth Hub has created approximately 2,400 jobs, added £89m in gross value and secured more than £65m in private sector investment for business. The Growth Hub also offers invaluable mentoring, financial advice, growth planning and networking opportunities all at no cost, and with the company’s commercial objectives firmly in mind.

See CWLEP website for details

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

 The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce can provide free coaching and advice to individuals looking to start their own business, or those businesses in their first twelve months of trading. Support and advice includes:

  • Free workshops providing insight into business planning, finance and marketing.
  • Advice and guidance on aspects involved in setting up a business.
  • One-to-one mentoring from a Business Adviser.
  • Support on sourcing and securing financial assistance.

See the CW Chambers of Commerce website

Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme

The Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme provides one-to-one and one-to-many support activities, targeted at new start-ups and established businesses with growth potential. The support is provided by a range of experienced local providers and includes:

  • support to people looking to start a business
  • support to help established businesses address barriers to growth
  • specialist sector support
  • workshops, events and seminars to provide networking and supply chain opportunities

See Warwickshire County Council website for details

Funding to help your business grow

Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) funding

The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership offers a comprehensive package of grants and loans to businesses.

Local businesses with investment proposals are invited to complete an expression of interest form. The CWLEP and its partners will then work with you to identify the best fit. This could be one of the CWLEP’s funds or it might be a programme delivered regionally or nationally. Regardless, you will be guided through the process and, if your proposal is suitable, you will be helped to complete an application form.

Find out more on the CWLEP website

Business investment in Coventry

Support for new and existing businesses, start-ups and small, medium and large companies.

Contact:

Warwickshire County Council - small capital grants

We offer small capital grants to small businesses with growth plans. The funding is part of a £2 million package of business loans and grants agreed by the county council to support Warwickshire’s businesses. Grants - of between £5,000 and £35,000 are available to micro and small businesses for capital projects.

For information and to apply for a grant contact the Business Investment Team

Training groups

There are no training groups specifically for the Warwickshire area. You may want to contact a nearby group.

Midlands Construction Training Group

Area coverage: Construction Employers based in the Midlands
Key contact: Debbie Westwood

Tel: 07748 300796
Email:  debbiewestwood1@outlook.com
Website: http://mctg.co.uk/

Your local CITB Advisor

Phil Warwick


I started my career in construction as a trainee consultant engineer where I soon became one of the leads on designing the electrical schematics for new builds for the Burton Group.

I changed careers in the 1990s and entered the world of advice and guidance. The last 20 or so years have then been primarily in this field working across a variety of environments including DWP, schools, colleges and training providers.

I then chose to re-engage with the construction industry and utilise my skills in this area as well as my advice and guidance skills to become the CITB Advisor for Coventry & Warwickshire.

Contact:

Your CITB Apprenticeship Officers

Area covered Contact name Contact details
Coventry and Warwickshire Sam Elford Tel: 07824 434170
Email: sam.elford@citb.co.uk
Coventry and Warwickshire Theo Riaye Tel: 07766 505487
Email: theo.riaye@citb.co.uk

What's happening in your area

We will be arranging CITB grant and funding surgeries across Greater Birmingham in the coming months. Further information to follow.

Working Well Together (WWT) was set up as a joint industry/HSE initiative to help the industry improve its health and safety performance – particularly among the smaller construction businesses.

WWT offers training days focussed on health and safety. Many of the events are free. In the West Midlands the active WWT groups are Birmingham, Worcestershire and Herefordshire and Staffordshire and Shropshire.

See the list of planned events and find out more about WWT

Business services support

Greater Birmingham and Solihull Growth Hub can help advise on funding, finance and support available locally and can work with you to develop your business, your staff and realise your growth ambitions. The Growth Hub has information on funding available at all stages of your business development. You can use the online service to do an initial finance search and you can arrange to speak to a business advisor.

Find out more from the GBSLEP website

Solihull for Success is a business support service for businesses looking to locate, start up and grow in Solihull.

Support includes:

  • Start Up Businesses – for the latest support and information, contact our Enterprise for Success advisors.
  • Business Growth Programme 2 Grant Schemes:
    • Property Investment Programme (PIP) Grant Scheme: to encourage the improvement and development of key vacant, derelict or underused properties and sites for economic use, the grant programme will operate in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) area.
    • ART Business Loans: A Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) which provides business loans of between £10,000 and £150,000 to businesses and social enterprises in the West Midlands that are unable to receive their full funding requirements from their bank.
    • Venture Capital/Business Angel Networks: There are a range of options within the West Midlands that specialise in finance for both early stage and established businesses.

Visit Solihull for Success website for details

Workwise travel support gives jobseekers a helping hand with travel costs, offering 50% off bus, train and tram travel passes for up to 12 weeks.

This offer is available to jobseekers who live in, or are registered with, a Jobcentre in the West Midlands to overcome travel barriers.

Further information on the workwise web pages

Funding to help your business grow

The Greater Birminghan and Solihull Growth Hub has information on funding available at all stages of your business development. You can use the online service to do an initial finance search and you can arrange to you can arrange to speak to a business advisor.

https://www.gbslepgrowthhub.co.uk/business-advice

Training groups in your area

There are three groups active in your area:


Name Area covered Key contact details
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Construction Training Group Construction Employers based in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Key contact: Karen Whitehouse
Chair of the group: Laurence Speller

Postal address:
Hill Cross Barn
Tedstone Delamere
Herefordshire, HR7 4PR
Hire Train Plant hire companies across the UK

Chair of the group: Graham Arundale

Postal address:
2450 Regents Court
The Crescent
Birmingham Business Park
Solihull, B37 7YE
Website: www.hae.org.uk

 

Midlands Construction Training Group

 Construction Employers based in the Midlands

Key contact: Debbie Westwood
Chair of the group: Ron Pinfield

Postal address:
Unit 39 Austcliffe Park
Kidderminster, DY10 3UR

Training projects already funded by CITB

CITB provided £122,569 to support a project led by BAM Nuttall focussed on Tackling the Gender Pay Gap – Progression for Women in Construction.

Women into Construction are working with Bam Nuttall, Bouygues, Ardmore Construction, other Tier 1 construction companies and their supply chains to identify barriers, challenge employers’ working practices, behaviours and cultural norms.

This project will allow WiC to deliver advice and guidance, training and mentoring to support low-paid female construction workers progress into better paid, more secure employment in the future

The project started in Feb 2019 and will run to September 2020 across the South East and The Midlands.

Your local CITB Advisors

Martin Bruton - Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and South Birmingham

Hi I’m Martin Bruton. As there is such a lot going on around Birmingham the patch is split between me and my colleague Sarah Duignan to ensure that we can respond to your queries quickly and effectively.

I have been with CITB since January 2017 after many years working with businesses to help them meet regulatory requirements.

I am fascinated by the work the industry does and impressed by the skill and professionalism shown by construction businesses. So I am very pleased to be able to help them train their employees and develop their businesses.

I look forward to hearing from you and having the chance to help you get the trained workforce you and the industry needs.

Contact me:

 

Sarah Duigan Advisor for Birmingham City Centre and the surrounding local areas

I was born in Birmingham, I really love the city and the vibrant feel it provides. Construction is booming across Birmingham and I am happy to support you with local knowledge, CITB funding, Grants CITB products and services, Career information and local projects. I can provide you with information on relevant stakeholders that also work across Birmingham that may also provide support for your business.

Please contact either Martin or Sarah for details of your local CITB Apprenticeship Officer

What's happening in your area

Employer surgeries are being held on the following dates:

  • 19 March 2020 North Staffordshire – Best Western Stoke on Trent City Central Hotel, 66 Trinity Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5NB
  • 23 April 2020 South Staffordshire – Regus Birmingham Cannock, First Floor, Watling Court, Orbital Plaza, Watling Street, Cannock, West Midlands, WS11 0DQ
  • 27 May 2020 North Staffordshire – Summit Hospitality, Synectics House, The Hollies, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, ST5 0QY
  • 24 June 2020 South Staffordshire – Holiday Inn Birmingham North Cannock, Bridge Street, Cannock, WS11 0DQ

If you would like to find out how you can claim CITB grants and funding, please contact davina.lowe@citb.co.uk to book an appointment.​

Business services support

The Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub offers a range of services including grants.

Small Business Grant Scheme

Offering business grants ranging from £1,500 - £10,000

The Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub has launched this fund to offer capital grants to small- to medium-sized business to help support

  • The growth of existing small and medium sized enterprises
  • Specific projects or investment, such as construction and fittings associated with premises expansion
  • Purchase of capital equipment

To find out more about this grant and the eligibility criteria, please contact Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub.

Tel: 0300 111 8002

For other business support in the Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire area please contact the Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub

Website: https://stokestaffsgrowthhub.co.uk/

Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Grants for Growth

Capital grants are still available to help Staffordshire based companies grow.

Typical expenditure would include:

  • Premises Expansion
  • Premises Re-fit
  • Purchase of Plant, Machinery & Equipment
  • Purchase of new premises

Grants are available from £10,000 to £160,000 (which must be matched by your own funding).

Available to SMEs based within Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire or looking to relocate to the area (subject to eligibility)

Grant support must lead to the creation of new jobs.

If you are interested in finding out more please call the Programme Team for an informal chat on:

Tel: 01782 231586 or 01782 233671

Email: G4G@stoke.gov.uk

Low Carbon Business Evolution Programme

The Low Carbon Business Evolution Programme (LCBEP) will help businesses across Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LEP reduce their carbon footprint and increase energy efficiency.

There is an opportunity to apply for LCBEP Low Carbon Enterprise Grants of between £2,000 and £10,000.

  • Capital grants that enable investment to help make your business ‘low carbon’ e.g. for the installation of energy efficient measures in buildings, processes, products and services which will reduce carbon.
  • Revenue grants for further low carbon specialist advice e.g. environmental management systems, energy management systems, carbon foot printing, renewable energy feasibility.

Applicants must demonstrate greenhouse gas savings as a result of the grant.

To find out more about this grant and the eligibility criteria, please contact

Funding to help you recruit and train staff

Skills Support for the Workforce

Funded Training to help your business progress

SSW in Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire is managed by Serco in partnership with Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Serco delivers the training through a network of expert training providers. Training targets local employers with recruitment needs in Construction and Civil engineering as well as many other occupational areas

Employers to avail of this funded training must be small or medium sized businesses (less than 250 employees) based within the Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire area.

To find out more please contact

Training groups in your area

Stoke and Staffordshire Training Group

Area coverage: Construction employers in the Staffordshire and Stoke area

Postal address:
Unit 2C
Great Fenton Business Park
Grove Road
Fenton
Stoke on Trent
ST4 4LZ

Please contact the chair of the group for full details of available training programmes and other group activities.

For further information

Your CITB Advisor

Patricia Hicks


Prior to my role in CITB I worked for two major contractors in the UK construction industry. In total, I spent 11 years working on construction sites, starting as a Graduate Construction Supervisor and working my way up to Assistant Project Manager. I am also a member of the Chartered Institute of Building.

During my time on site I learned that the construction industry is a fabulous industry to work in. My role at CITB allows me to support the industry today but also allows me to help build the industry for the future.

Contact:

Your CITB Apprenticeship Officer

Area covered: Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire

Contact: Sharon Walker

Details:

What's happening in your area

There are currently no events scheduled in your area. Please check this page occasionally for updates.

Business services support

Worcestershire Growth Hub acts in partnership with Greater Birmingham & Solihull Growth Hub. There's a variety of support available.

See the GBSLEP website for details

Worcestershire Business Central

Including European Regional Development funded projects and European Skills funded projects

See the Business Central website for details

Funding for Midlands business

Finance your growth plans with a business loan from £100,000 to £1.5m.

See the Maven website for details

Training groups

Training groups

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Construction Training Group

This group supports construction employers based in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Your CITB Advisor

My passion for construction began at an early age. I grew up on a farm and built my first brick wall at age 15. My career pathway started as an Agricultural Apprentice but on completion, decided to leave the milking of cows behind and follow my passion for wood and train as a Cabinet Maker, Upholsterer and Antique Restorer.

Having run my own business and passed on my skills through teaching I became very poorly and had to look at a career change. I became involved with Apprenticeships and Careers Guidance but finally, my opportunity to reconnect with the construction industry presented itself by way of the CITB Marches and Worcestershire Advisor role.

Contact:

Your CITB Apprenticeship Officer

Area covered: Hereford and Worcestershire

Contact: Michelle Wood

Details:

You may also be interested in...

Find out how local employers can benefit from taking on an apprentice for a short duration in our Shared Apprenticeship Scheme

Find out more about the National Skills Academy for Construction, led by CITB and approved by industry

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