Kick off recovery at business bootcamps
Stirling business support company STEP is launching a programme of ‘bootcamps’ to support local small to medium enterprises learn new skills for a successful COVID recovery.
STEP, which has been operating business learning events in Stirling for three decades, is home to more than 200 SMEs and supported more than 2000 businesses last year.
It is fully funding the ‘STEP Skills’ events so they are free to attend.
The step-by-step tutorial skills bootcamps will last for one month, split into short one-hour sessions each week to allow businesses to implement what they’ve learned before moving on to the next stage.
The first bootcamp, taking place in May, will be delivered by Phil Huber of Digital Stirling and focuses on product photography.
Phil said: “COVID-19 has led to a surge in businesses making the move to e-commerce. Due to the immediate need for an online solution many businesses haven’t taken the time to carefully consider their photography. For ecommerce businesses, photography can make or break your website. It can be the difference between making a sale or not.”
Initially, bootcamps will be held virtually, with a plan to offer a mixture of in-person and virtual sessions in the future.
More details about the May bootcamp can be found on STEP’s website and information about further skills bootcamps will be available over the coming months.
This year STEP is also launching The Forth Valley Employers Club in partnership with Ceteris, Alloa First and Go Forth Stirling Business Improvement District.
The club aims to play a crucial role in shaping the Forth Valley area’s employability support, funded skills training, and other available employment support.
There are more than 4,000 employers across the Forth Valley, with similar employment problems, HR issues and more. The club aims to allow employers to share best practice on topics such as recruitment and skills development.
Each meeting will focus on a particular topic, with the first meeting in June around Managing Remotely.
STEP marketing and business development manager Jenn McArthur said: “Working in collaboration with fellow business support companies, we hope to provide great opportunities for businesses to grow their skills, network and more to aid a successful COVID recovery.
“We recently undertook a review of our annual events plan and the consensus from businesses was that they no longer favour the concept of a specific business month and traditional speaker-led events. There was a general preference to have support events spread throughout the year and events to be more hands-on in upskilling.
“The sessions are all free, so we hope lots of local businesses benefit.”
For a full list of events visit STEP’s Eventbrite organiser page https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/stepscotland-2065090145