Small Business Innovation Support Framework Agreement

Warrington Collegiate has been awarded funding for a substantial European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project to support innovation activities and development of small and medium sized businesses in Cheshire and Warrington (SMART Cheshire Programme).

The Collegiate is looking to procure individuals/organisations to deliver the activity required for the programme through this tender process. Please note that the contract created from this tender will result in a framework agreement, whereby we anticipate engaging suppliers, whose services will be called upon where required. In this instance, the creation of a framework of suppliers means the Collegiate cannot commit to a pre-determined volume of engagements throughout the contract duration.

SMART Cheshire will support the development of SMEs looking to develop new products and services. The programme is focused on innovation and development of businesses, rather than a focus on individual skills. It is underpinned by practical expertise in facilitating and advising small firms. We will offer a high impact business support programme, based on workshops, peer-to-peer foundations, 1:1 consultation from business innovation specialists. We will develop links and synergies between enterprises and further education, focusing on the needs of SMEs.

The requirements of this tender with respect to SMART Cheshire is to engage specialists with practical experience of supporting small business owners in areas such as, but not limited to, • Innovation Development and Risk • Product/Service Development • Finance for Growth & Innovation • Assessing Organisational Needs for Innovation eg staffing • Sales and Marketing • Culture and Change Management • Growing the Domestic and International Markets • Business Improvement Techniques Specialists will be required to deliver 3-hour sessions (at Warrington Collegiate) to groups of business owners within one, or more if possessing relevant experience, of the above categories. It is essential that applicants demonstrate practical experience and expertise in their specialism Potentially, there may also be a requirement for the provision of 1-2-1 support to individual participants from SMART Cheshire. Applicants are encouraged to detail their experience and expertise in providing mentoring and individual coaching The contract duration is for 24 months, with an indicative contract start date of January 2017. Should you be successful, suppliers will be expected to deliver a minimum of one 3-hour support session throughout this period. The distribution of one-to-one support will be determined by the needs of participants.

Additional information: Warrington Collegiate is a further educational institute within the Cheshire area of the North West region of the UK. Warrington Collegiate is the largest learning provider in Warrington, offering a wide variety of vocational qualifications to a wide range of learners.

The college has approximately 1700 students aged 16-19, a further 1570 aged 19-25 and more than 3500 over this age. Our aim is to be the College for world-class professionals with an emphasis on vocational education and employability. Students engage in full and part time courses and apprenticeships. The college employs 498 staff and is split into various curriculum areas including Construction, Hospitality and Catering, Engineering-Motor Vehicle, Business & Enterprise, Professional and International Studies and Information Technologies. The college also has a vast array of part time courses and evening classes.

The college works closely with local partners including the Local Authority, DWP and local business both large and small to provide training for their employees The college also provides training in the community for all residents and works with many partners to provide activity for NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people. Warrington Collegiate provides a high standard of teaching and learning to all its customers and has exceptional links with local industries and state of the art facilities that enhances the learning experience.

The campus is situated close to both Manchester and Liverpool with excellent transport links to all parts of the county via both train, road and air.

(For more information, please visit: http://www.warrington.ac.uk)

The Warrington Business School

The Warrington Business School is an established and professionally led team of staff within Warrington Collegiate.

We are passionate about supporting local businesses to improve and grow. Our areas of expertise are growth, leadership, innovation and sustainability. We offer a range of programmes around these themes, many fully funded.

We have successfully delivered development projects in small business and related areas, via European Social Funding (ESF) public and private sector funding, with widespread impacts to growth and development.

Since its launch in 2005, The Business School has attracted over £12m of revenue to support activities for both entrepreneurs, businesses and their employees including contracts to encourage growth and innovation in SMEs, and others to develop leadership skills in small business owners and their employees.