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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.
This week, we're focusing on supporting refugees aged 16 - 19 to find work placements and the Government's announcement of £600 million for construction training. Full details can be found below.
We're also highlighting the Enterprise Oxfordshire Business Directory, the County Council Election, funding for farming in protected landscapes, an opportunity to help transform skills training in your sector, an Adobe Express competition to win £6,000 for your business, what's on in Southern Oxfordshire during the Easter holidays, Milton Park in the Planning Awards 2025 and Oxfordshire County Council's Introduction to Sustainability for Micro & Small Businesses event.
Plus, follow us on Facebook and X to be kept up-to-date in between our weekly newsletters.There are lots more opportunities, events and resources to get stuck into this week, but as always, if you'd like to suggest content for the SVBS newsletter, please get in touch with us.
- South and Vale's Economic Development team
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Oxfordshire County Council is offering support to refugees aged 16-19 by finding work experience placements in industries where they have expressed an interest in pursuing.The following sectors are of interest:
- IT / Media
- Computer Science
- Administration / Business
- Business, Banking
- Economics
- Engineering
- STEM
- Electrical Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Sports
- Medicine
- Healthcare
- Dentistry
- Hospitality
- Law
- Police
- Mechanic
Oxfordshire County Council will administer the process and support interested organisations to offer work placements. If you think that your organisation might be able to help, or you know of an organisation that might be able to support this initiative, please contact Mac Rogers, 16 - 19 years Careers Coordinator (Migrants).
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Government announces £600 million for construction training
The Government has announced that it will train more workers in construction to tackle skills shortages and inspire the next generation into the sector.
The latest Office for National Statistics figures show that there are over 35,000 job vacancies in construction, and employers report that over half of vacancies can’t be filled due to a lack of required skills – the highest rate of any sector.
The scheme will get young people into well paid, highly skilled jobs by funding additional placements, establishing Technical Excellence Colleges, launching new foundation apprenticeships and expanding Skills Bootcamps.
Further details can be found via the Government's website.
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Promote your business via the Enterprise Oxfordshire Business DirectoryThe Enterprise Oxfordshire Business Directory is a go-to resource for discovering and engaging with a diverse range of businesses in our community.Whether consumers are searching for a new supplier, a local service provider or simply want to support local businesses, the directory features a comprehensive list of businesses across various industries, making it easier to find the services and products they need.Businesses in South and Vale are invited to promote their services by signing up to the directory.If you are interested in joining, sign up via the Enterprise Oxfordshire website.
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County Council Election – Thursday 1 May 2025On Thursday 1 May 2025, residents in Oxfordshire will be able to vote in the County Council Election. In this election, you will vote to elect the individual to represent your electoral division on Oxfordshire County Council to help make decisions locally, on important issues such as adult and children’s social care, education and learning, fire and rescue, and public health and prevention. For more information, visit the South Oxfordshire or Vale of White Horse website.
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Funding for farming in protected landscapesIf you’re a farmer or land manager, you can get funding to support and improve National Landscapes, National Parks and the Broads. The programme is also open to farmers and land managers on land outside of protected landscapes. The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme will fund projects that:
- support nature recovery
- mitigate the impacts of climate change
- provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage
- protect or improve the quality and character of the landscape or place.
The programme will pay for projects that provide value for money and result in at least one climate, nature, people or place outcome. You could get up to 100% of the costs of a project if you will not make a commercial gain from it. Full details can be found via the Government's website.
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Help transform skills training in your sectorThe Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is on the lookout for businesses to get involved with reviewing and making recommendations on skills training for their sector or learning route, including new apprenticeships and technical qualifications. Interested organisations can become members of a route panel, made up of employers with outstanding experience and expertise in their professions and industries. Members will help map skills training to identify gaps and support career progression, and will oversee regular reviews to make sure skills training opportunities continue to meet employer needs. IfATE is keen to hear from employers in the following industries:
- Agriculture, environmental and animal care
- Care services
- Catering and hospitality
- Construction
- Creative and design
- Digital
- Engineering and manufacturing
- Hair and beauty
- Legal, finance and accounting
- Protective services
- Sales, marketing and procurement
- Transport and logistics
Get involved via the IfATE website.
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Win £6,000 to super-charge your businessTelegraph Media Group is working with Adobe Express to reward some of Britain’s brightest business talents, whose creativity brings solutions to our day-to-day problems while helping to improve the economic outlook. Adobe Express has set up the Express your Innovation competition to award three entrepreneurs, one each from three categories: Community, Small Business and Rising Star, with funding that will supercharge their next business idea or give them the platform to embrace innovative new working methods or fresh challenges. As well as investing £6,000 to help the winners take the next steps in their career, Adobe will also provide the expertise they need to succeed including personalised help from a member of the Adobe team to elevate their marketing and business documents. The winners will also get access to Adobe Express Premium and benefit from one-to-one business mentoring from the judge in their category to help them bring their ideas to fruition. The entry deadline is 11.59pm on 22 April 2025. Apply via the official webpage.
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Make this Easter half-term one to remember!Whether you’re looking to get out and about in the sunshine or prefer to find things to do indoors over the Easter holidays, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse have something for everyone. Take part in outdoor Easter trails, meet newborn lambs, get creative with arts and crafts, watch a pantomime, go wild at soft play centres or splash into fun at local leisure pools. Whatever the weather, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained!Check out our Easter page to see what's on over the holidays. Plus, if you're hosting an event, or know of one we should be promoting, submit an event listing and we will feature this on our website.
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Pioneering planning scheme shortlisted for economic growth award
Vale of White Horse District Council has partnered with MEPC, asset managers for Milton Park, to deliver an updated LDO and that work has resulted in being shortlisted in the Promoting Economic Growth category for the Planning Awards 2025.
Under the new revised LDO, Milton Park will be able to accommodate up to 4.2 million sq ft of development space and will support the creation of new jobs, drive forward sustainability and simultaneously attract significant investment in the Didcot area.
The LDO will also promote greener travel, with investment in bus services as well as new cycle and walking pathways.
Carbon emissions will be minimised by retrofitting, reimagining and repurposing of existing buildings and incorporating low or zero carbon energy technology. The LDO will also work to increase biodiversity.
Full details can be found via Milton Park's website.
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Introduction to Sustainability for Micro & Small Businesses
Learn how to make your micro or small business more sustainable at the Oxfordshire County Council Introduction to Sustainability workshop, ideal for those who are at the start of their sustainability journey.
Wednesday 30 April | 5.30pm - 8pm
BIPC, Oxford Westgate Library
A commitment to sustainable practices can give a competitive edge to small businesses in a competitive landscape. Increasingly, those hoping to work with public sector organisations will need to demonstrate a commitment to environmental and social outcomes beyond the bottom line.
Topics covered will include climate change mitigation and adaptation, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, circular economy and social value. Participants will leave knowing how to calculate their business’ carbon footprint and will have a basic carbon reduction plan. These will help ensure that you and your business are well-equipped to decrease emissions in line with (or ahead of) the UK Government’s Net Zero target.
Register for your free place via Eventbrite.
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Boost your business success – stay connected with us!
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? We’re here to provide the tools, insights and resources you need to succeed.
Follow our social media channels for:
- The latest business news
- Important events
- Practical advice and guidance
- Opportunities for businesses.
Follow us on our new Facebook page and X account to keep up to date.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, knowledge or just a little extra motivation, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to help your business thrive - one post at a time!
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