Mentoring programme creates 400 jobs

Boost Growth Mentoring programme has spawned a follow-up programme after helping Lancashire firms create 418 jobs. Five hundred businesses have undertaken the scheme, resulting in an estimated £7.8m of added value to the county's economy.

Available through Boost, the programme is funded by Lancashire County Council and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and managed by Community & Business Partners.

It pairs growing business owners with experienced entrepreneurs to help them overcome challenges and identify new opportunities.

Jaydee Davis, operations manager for Community & Business Partners, said: “We expected to run Boost Growth Mentoring until the autumn, but we’ve seen unprecedented demand which has seen all the Boost-funded places filled early.

“We’ve launched the Northern Mentoring Programme to continue matching Lancashire businesses with experienced business mentors to get advice in areas such as business planning, finance, sales, marketing and HR management.”

County councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, added: “It’s great to see Lancashire businesses making the most of the support on offer through Boost. The fact this support is leading to job creation and increased economic activity is a clear indication of its effectiveness."

The new Northern Mentoring Programme allows the service to be opened up to businesses who previously didn’t quality under the ERDF funding criteria, including businesses-to-consumer companies and firms that aren’t necessarily high-growth businesses.