An innovative new small business mentoring programme has been launched at W5 in Belfast.

Heather Major, Programme Manager, Connections and Paul Rooney, Chair, Business in the Community with Colin Lewis, Deputy Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Susan Kinane, Managing Director, ESB Independent Energy

Connections, run by Business in the Community, and sponsored by ESB Independent Energy, is a mentoring and support programme for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
 
The programme will match small businesses with mentors from large, successful companies to facilitate the sharing of best practice and transfer of expertise, skills and know-how to encourage responsible business growth.
 
“Small businesses (SMEs) form the backbone of the Northern Ireland economy which also has the highest percentage of small firms of any region in the UK,” says Heather Major. “There are 132,000 businesses in Northern Ireland, 99% of which are deemed to be SMEs and of these, some 95% are micro-businesses, employing 10 people or fewer.
 
“This programme has been designed with the small business owner in mind. It will facilitate the transfer of expertise, skills and know-how from big business to small businesses with particular focus on responsible growth and sustainability.”
 
It is open to any business with less than 50 employees across the province, from any sector.
 
“Supporting local business is key to Northern Ireland’s recovery from the recession especially as many SMEs are facing significant challenges in the current economic climate,” said Susan Kinane, Managing Director of ESB Independent Energy. “We are delighted to play our part via the Connections programme, helping to nurture economic growth within the small business community.
 
“The Northern Ireland economy has great potential and we believe that the business community must pull together to provide every competitive advantage for the SME sector; this exciting new initiative is an important step in delivering this.
 
“Since being the first independent electricity supplier to enter the competitive market and over the past ten years, we have made significant investments in the Northern Ireland economy, including ESB Coolkeeragh, the state of the art powerplant in the North West as well as in a number of renewable energy resources. This partnership with BITC is an extension of our investment and commitment to the development of a successful business economy.”
 
A full programme of Connections Best Practice Workshops for SMEs will be delivered across Northern Ireland from March starting with Switch off and Save £s, along with seminars on specific subjects such as employment law updates and the provision of practical toolkits.
 
To get involved with Connections, please contact Heather Major by e-mail at heather.major@bitcni.org.uk or on (028) 9046 0606.

For more information on Business in the Community, visit our website www.bitcni.org.uk