Helping businesses build a skilled, diverse and future-ready team
Underpinning the government's mission of kickstarting economic growth, skills are a fundamental building block of business success. At Ngage, we help businesses build a strong, diverse and future-proofed workforce. Recruiting, retaining and nurturing talent is a major task facing any business, but whether it’s upskilling and training existing staff, learning about hiring an apprentice, or inspiring young people about their futures, our team of advisers has the knowledge and connections to help.
Businesses in Buckinghamshire took part in the Green Schools Challenge 2024, organised by Ngage's Bucks Skills Hub, helping teams of students come up with innovative and sustainable solutions to environmental issues.
Breaking into the TV and film industry is tough, but All Spring Media are helping by delivering Bootcamps to equip people with the skills they need.
Hiring an apprentice can be hugely beneficial for both the individual and the business – just ask John McNally.
"I attended a great online webinar about apprenticeships. The team were very helpful and told me everything I needed to know, and then helped to get us going on the apprenticeship programme. Ngage has been a great local support, putting on some fantastic events and training courses, helping our team progress with their training needs."
- Helen Fearnley, Serious Brands
"The Green Schools Challenge program’s interactive format ensures participants not only develop credible, enterprising solutions, but also receive invaluable mentorship and exposure to career pathways. The positive feedback from students and businesses underscores the program’s success in creating impactful learning experiences. [Ngage's] dedication to nurturing the next generation of environmentally conscious leaders and entrepreneurs exemplifies their commitment to both local economic growth and sustainability."
- National Enterprise Network Awards judges
"Over the last few years, I have had several interactions with various members of Ngage. They are my go-to for Skills signposting.
"Should there be an opportunity to work with the team at Ngage in the future, I would always be happy to do so as they are a trusted organisation."
- Yvette Lamidey, FSB Milton Keynes
Skill Up Bucks (SUB) is an ESF funded subcontract provided by Adviza which was intended to encourage SME businesses to get involved in training and skills activities. Examples include offering an apprenticeship, attending a career/job fair; offering a company visit to students, internship or challenge activity for students etc. The project was also designed to encourage employers to upskill their staff.
ESF via Adviza
HISS aimed to encourage local businesses, schools, colleges and recruitment organisations to apply a toolbox of soft skills and methodologies into their professional development programmes
Leonardo da Vinci European Union Programme
Created a Toolbox of Soft Skills for employers • Piloted in SME businesses • Advised development partners on engagement techniques to aid roll-out • Supported evaluation process and led dissemination activities
After assessing market needs, the project developed a toolbox of soft skills focused on communication skills and self-marketing, all of which were identified as attractive to employers. The aim was to communicate clearly and openly with staff and balance the objectives of the company with individual employee needs.
Secured programme finance for a Senior Management development programme targeting small and medium-sized businesses. Personnel development grants of £1,000 were available for online training, workshops and mentoring.
Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
Successful bid writing launched a project worth £13.5m, which ran for three years between 2008 - 2011
The bid writing team included a qualified and experienced Leadership & Management specialist adviser who identified personal training requirements and flexible tailored learning solutions.
While the 2012 London Olympics was good news for British sport, for the UK construction industry there was a problem – a shortage of SME businesses with the skills to bid for larger building contracts. This project opened the doors of opportunity to firms in the South East.
Learning and Skills Council (LSC); European Union Social Fund (ESF)
130 companies engaged • 100+ companies attended Bidding for Gold events • 25 companies agreed to work as members of a flexible consortium
The construction sector is notoriously difficult to reach and engage with. However, by providing a quality offer, utilising networks and supply chains, and the combined power of social media and word of mouth, Ngage was able to connect with a wide selection of construction sector SMEs from across the South East. A series of Bidding For Gold events were organised were opportunities were presented, and the bidding process explained. To meet minimum size criteria a group of 25 companies formed a consortium to combine their strengths and capacity into a compelling supply-side offer.
Business Leaders sought to raise the aspirations and standards of board-level directors in South East SMEs by supporting their learning and development in leadership and management skills.
Learning and Skills Council (LSC); South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
5277 businesses engaged · 465 grants awarded for professional skills development · Grant value £1.42m · Personal Development plans for each participant
Business Leaders targeted Managing Directors and Executive Directors in small to medium sized businesses in the South East and sought to connect them with training providers, raising the overall demand for management development.
Following engagement with a business, the diagnosis and assessment phase employed a range of tools and partners to identify the learning needs of the individual, which formed the basis of a Personal Development Plan. The Managing Director was given the freedom to choose a diagnostic with a trusted intermediary such as a bank manager or accountant. The final phase offered an innovative management development brokerage service to the MDs allowing them to choose the most relevant and appropriate learning solution and their need.
Aiming to improve financial management and minimise business failures, the project identified, brokered and incentivised financial training solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
59 businesses supported · 47 grants awarded worth £12.5k
Finance for Business Leaders helped SMEs become more adept at financial management as part of a drive for increased profitability. The offer included the services of a Business Adviser; an introduction to the government-funded vocational training initiative, Train to Gain; and a grant of £300 towards training costs.