SMALL BUSINESS OWNER FROM PEMBROKESHIRE URGES OTHERS TO ACCESS WELSH GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

A Pembrokeshire-based business owner is supporting a Welsh Government campaign to raise awareness of the wide range of recruitment and training support available to help businesses recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Clare Howell started her business consultancy, Client Service Excellence, in the wake of redundancy at the end of 2015 with help from Welsh Government programme ReAct.  Client Service Excellence, now a limited company, specialises in the financial services sector, working with firms all over the UK. Clare offers strategic advice and practical solutions to help companies streamline their workflow and delivers remote support on major projects. 

Clare said: “When I was made redundant, it was a huge shock. I had been in that job for eight years and was integral to the growth of the business from start–up. I was working remotely at the time and wanted to continue with this as my son was still in school. I was absolutely determined to bounce back and succeed, so I went to the Job Centre for advice. That’s where I learned that I could get support from the Welsh Government to start my own business. 

“Through ReAct I received a grant of £1,500 for my start-up, which I used to pay for a 10-week specialist training programme for virtual entrepreneurs. I was also able to upskill in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint to support my business development.  

“In the first few months I attended every available Business Wales workshop. These were a great refresher, and the networking events gave me something to dress up for and feel good about post-redundancy. Thanks to all the support I received I secured my first retainer client in April 2016, just a few months after being made redundant.” 

ReAct supports businesses to employ people who have recently been made redundant, or have otherwise become unemployed, through grants of up to £3,000 to help cover any wage costs for 12 months, and an additional £1,000 for job-related skills training, helping to fill skill gaps and keep recruitment costs down.  Support is also available through ReAct to help people who have been made redundant, or have otherwise become unemployed, to start their own business, in the form of grants, as well as training and expert advice. 

Businesses can access ReAct and other Welsh Government funded training and recruitment support to help them grow and invest in their workforce through Skills Gateway. Welsh Government has launched the ‘We’re in Your Corner’ campaign to make sure businesses in Wales are aware of the support that is available to them so they can access the right programme for their needs.  

Clare, who moved to Pembrokeshire from London in 2011, continued: “Without the funding and free training, the transition from full-employment to self-employment in such a rural area would have been extremely difficult. It allowed me to make contacts, adapt and develop the skills I needed in my new role as an entrepreneur in an online environment; being able to work ‘virtually’ was key to my success.  

“Being made redundant doesn’t mean you don’t have valuable experience to bring to a business, sometimes you just need a refresher to boost your confidence and bring your skills up to date. ReAct gave me the confidence to start over on my own following redundancy. I would recommend it to anyone in a situation like mine who’s looking for a helping hand to start over. If in the future, I decide to grow my business it’s definitely something I would consider as a way of recruiting skilled and experienced people who need a helping hand back into work. 

“As a business owner myself now, and a Business Mentor for Business Wales, I can fully endorse the benefits of accessing programmes like ReAct for businesses who want to expand their recruitment opportunities.” 

To support the Welsh economy in recovering from the impact of COVID-19, Welsh Government is investing in jobs and training to help businesses survive and grow, and to meet the needs of Wales’ changing economic landscape.  

Economy, Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates said: “The past 12 months will have been the most challenging many of us have ever faced. It’s vital that businesses know the Welsh Government is in their corner, and that support is available for those who need it. 

“Our package of business support is the most generous support package in the UK. It has seen more than £2bn made available to businesses across Wales, protecting thousands of firms and many more jobs. 

“We are also investing £40m in our Covid Commitment to provide free and subsidised training, grants to enable businesses to bring in the new talent and skills, and expert advice from Business Wales advisers who can recommend training and recruitment support tailored to individual business needs. This has been crucial in incentivising employers to recruit and retain 5,000 apprentices. 

“As we continue to navigate these difficult and uncertain times, we will do all we can to back Welsh businesses and workers. This includes planning for what comes next. I have launched a new Economic Resilience and Reconstruction Mission which offers grounded optimism for the future and will help our people, businesses and communities to succeed and flourish amid a backdrop of incredibly challenging circumstances. 

“I know that we can succeed in building a prosperous and fair economy and future that works better for everyone.”