Scheme to upskill businesses in international trade

Businesses who require upskilling in international trade can apply for a new scheme that provides training to employees and helps them gain a nationally-recognised qualification.

The Supplier Skills Programme provides vital training to employees and allows them to earn a Foundation Award in International Trade through the British Chamber 's of Commerce.

Not only will attendees who successfully complete the relevant course modules gain this, their companies may also be eligible for the training cost part funded by joining the supplier skills programme (SSP).

Part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and managed by Birmingham City Council (BCC), SSP is aimed at existing SMEs seeking to upskill new and existing employees.

The £12m SSP funding is open until March 2023. Applications can be submitted for approval before the closure date of the programme (subject to availability of grant funding).

Training grants of between £500 to a maximum of £18,000 per SME are available and training will be funded 50 per cent by the SME and 50 per cent by the European Social Fund grant.

All training must be accredited by the Ofqual Framework otherwise it must be recognized by industry and professional accrediting bodies.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce 's international trade training courses are included in the scheme as long as enough modules are completed to gain the Foundation Award in International trade.

Contact [email protected] for a list of courses that are available to apply for the funding.

Each participant must complete a minimum of six modules to gain the Foundation Award in International Trade.

Mohammed Zahir, head of business enterprise and innovation at Birmingham City Council said: “The beauty of SSP is its uniqueness.

“No other grant programme offers as much flexibility - it can support employees with basic skills training, right through to post graduate level qualifications.

“This means that employees throughout an organisation can benefit. ”

Find out more information on the scheme and Chamber training courses.