MORE than 3,000 business and almost 7,500 individuals have benefitted from a regional skills programme launched to help SMEs grow.

The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has seen its skills service result in almost £9 million being invested to ensure staff have the right skills that business need to grow.

Covering the City Region patch, which includes York, Selby, Harrogate and North Yorkshire local authority areas, the service saw funding of almost £4 million invested by the LEP, which was then match by a £5 million financial contribution from employers.

One business to benefit from this support was York-based marketing agency Pick and Mix Marketing which specialises in social media management, advertising and content marketing.

The business approached the LEP skills service for support with funding towards Chartered Institute of Marketing qualifications through training provider SPA Professional Academy for a new starter and another team member.

Managing Director of Pick and Mix Marketing, Sally Trousdale said: “Thanks to the funding from the LEP skills service we were able to undertake training to educate and develop marketing knowledge within the team to ensure as a business we are advising clients on the most up-to-date marketing campaigns and opportunities.

“This has ultimately led to more advanced strategies, it has driven new business and increased the effectiveness of client campaigns and our business overall.”

Businesses across the region have also used the support from the LEP skills service to improve their exporting capability, which is a strategic priority for the LEP.

In the year to March 2017, exports in Yorkshire and the Humber increased by 7.6 per cent. To further boost exporting a new peer-to-peer network called exportexchange.co.uk launched last week enabling SME owners to share their experiences and tips for selling overseas.

Roger Marsh, chairman of the LEP, said: “I’m immensely pleased with all that’s been achieved in the first phase of this ambitious programme.

“To hear how businesses of all types have benefitted, from manufacturers to creative agencies, highlights not only the diverse business landscape of the region but also how much appetite there is from companies to invest in the skills of their staff.”

The LEP skills service supports businesses across the Leeds City Region to identify appropriate training, find training provision and align staff development with overall business plans.

To find out more contact the LEP skills service on skills@the-lep.com, 0113 386 1910 or visit www.the-lep.com/skillsservice for more details.