Last week was another that saw more changes to restrictions for many businesses—most notably those offering takeaways or click and collect services. It's a confusing time, which is why we pull together relevant information into our weekly blog for you, with the latest news, updates and opportunities:
Support for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers: A new fund to support taxi and private hire drivers affected by the pandemic will launch this week. Local authorities will directly approach an estimated 38,000 private hire and taxi drivers inviting them to claim a £1,500 grant to assist with fixed costs. Find out more here.
WES Digital Leaders Training Programme: This programme is designed to address inequalities and retain women already working in digital or technology roles in Scottish companies, boost their career prospects, and increase employer awareness of the economic benefits of equality and diversity. The programme comprises six single day workshops over 6 weeks from 25 January to 2 March, plus one-to-one discussions, is free to attend, delivered digitally, and supported by a dedicated website. Find out more here.
2021 Scottish Rural Parliament: Registration for the 2021 Scottish Rural Parliament is now open. This year the VSRP is free, fully online, and will run over five days in March. The interactive sessions will look at some of the topics that deeply affect rural lives, from local democracy to digital communications and climate change. Everyone who lives or works in rural Scotland is invited to bring their story and shape the future of rural and island Scotland. Click here to sign up.
Scottish EDGE Round 17 Open: Scottish EDGE is a competition aimed at identifying and supporting Scotland’s up-and-coming, innovative, high-growth entrepreneurial talent. The online application form can be accessed at scottishedge.com and businesses will have until 2.00pm on Wednesday 10th February 2021 to start and submit an application.
Brexit Support: Make sure your business is up-to-date on the latest guidance following the UK's trade deal with the EU. Find out how the new rules are likely to affect importing and exporting goods and actions you should take here.
Highland Boundary Ltd Job Opportunity - Fixed Term Contract Research Position: With the support of the Scottish Enterprise Redesigning Rural National Transition Funding Support Scheme, Highland Boundary are recruiting for a motivated individual to support their research analysis and business development planning. Applicants must be over the age of 25 and either be at risk of redundancy or have lost their job as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). Fixed dates of employment from 1st Feb to 26th March 2021, based from home and with flexible working hours. Remuneration is £25 per hour under a fixed term contract. Download full details here.
Tay Cities Deal Digital Project: The Project has been given the green light to bring better and more extended broadband into Angus. There are 3 projects that your business could benefit from, and there will also be a voucher scheme available to offset some of the installation costs. These projects are: Local Full Fibre Network; Rural Broadband; R100 Programme. Join one of the information sessions via MS Teams to learn more about these projects and how you could benefit from them. There are four sessions to choose from, see them all and book here.
HIT Tourism and Hospitality Talent Development Programme: This virtual training programme has been designed to motivate and develop top talent in order to assist recovery from the impact Covid-19 has had across the tourism and hospitality sectors in Scotland. The programme is funded by Scottish Government, and is being administered by HIT Scotland. There will be 975 places available, with 13 groups of 25 people able to take part in each of the three categories - Supervisor, Manager, Leader. The series of 10 modules will take place weekly. Find out more here.
Financial Conduct Authority Business Interruption Insurance Test Case: The FCA has published an update on its test case concerning business interruption (BI) insurance, providing clarity for many insurance policy holders making claims for business losses due to the coronavirus pandemic under BI policies. Read the press release on the Supreme Court judgment or find the update on the BI insurance webpage.
Women in Agriculture Practical Training Fund: Lantra are administering this new project on behalf of the Scottish Government, offering financial support for training to women resident in Scotland who are either working in agriculture, studying it, or keen to start work in this area. Courses eligible for funding can include: business skills; environmental and sustainability; health and safety; plants and animals; vehicles, machinery and equipment. Funding for 100% of costs is available for training up to the value of £500 per course, applications over £500 can be submitted and will be assessed on the value to the business or individual. Find out more here.
Join the GrowBiz Mentoring Programme: This award-winning programme currently has openings for mentees. If you’re looking to expand or change your business, create focused strategies and develop your confidence in 2021 then you can get in touch to be paired with a trained mentor. Find out more here.