Free support for Southern marine companies

For companies working in any of these sectors, the Air Land and Sea programme offers one person from the management team 20 hours of free mentoring over 12 months.

The one-to-one mentoring from experience business people is designed to support companies in achieving their business goals, as well as help sustain and create over 200 jobs and increase skill levels in participating firms.

“We are working with clients to assist them achieve goals varying from expansion of their business to setting up new business arms,” Simon Milton, business support project manager, WSX, told Maritime Journal. “Strategy, supply chain, marketing, brand building, sales and innovation are some of the areas we are working in.”

So far, 36 companies have signed up including boat builders, yacht painting companies, marine consultants and component suppliers, among others.

The first 50 companies to sign up will also be eligible for leadership and management training.

“The first cohort of clients had the CMI training in L&M at level 5 in September and the feedback was very positive. Most were surprised at how useful it was to go back to formal training to assist with leadership issues. There will be a second opportunity for clients to sign up to the this training in February 2015,” Mr Milton told MJ.

The programme is offered by WSX Enterprise, which offers a range of business support services, from start-up support through general business advice to specialist support in skills, innovation and sustainability.

By Rachael Doyle