A popular small business skills programme is set to make a comeback to help supercharge Britain’s smallest firms, as the economy shows signs of recovery. Small Business Britain’s Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme, which has boosted nearly 3,000 sole traders and microbusinesses across the country since launching in 2022, is returning this autumn with a mission to bridge the current ‘skills gap’ for small businesses and drive UK growth.
Run in partnership with global small business platform Xero and university ARU Peterborough, the Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme is designed for the UK’s 5.2 million microbusinesses that have historically been ineligible or unsuited to previous government support initiatives that focus on more established start-ups.
The news comes as the Government announces a new national skills drive with the launch of Skills England, which is due to work in partnership with employers.
Commenting is Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain. “The majority of small firms in the UK are microbusinesses. They represent the future of our nation’s prosperity and are the heart of our economy. Yet despite their vast number, there is very little support on offer to help these firms make those first steps towards growth.
“Two years ago, we set out to fix that with Small and Mighty, offering targeted, practical guidance for the early stages of growing a business, and crucially with direct access to experienced mentors. We hope this helps to drive greater opportunity as the UK economy looks set to turn a corner. And we hope that this will be accompanied by more national support for microbusinesses as the new Government sets out its plans for businesses.”
Commencing in September, the six-week programme will have 500 free places available and will be delivered fully online with guidance from ARU Peterborough academics, Xero experts and other seasoned professionals.
Denise de Gromoboy, founder of Denalis Jewellery, took part in the programme to improve her expertise as a business owner. “Discovering Small Business Britain and signing up for the Small and Mighty course has been brilliant for my business. I’ve worked for SMEs in the past but there were definite gaps in my knowledge as a business owner. The course filled those gaps, gave me so much more help and information, as well as increasing my confidence. I’ve also met so many other small business owners and the support of this group has been invaluable.”
Fitting around existing work commitments and offering inclusive and flexible learning, the programme also includes mentoring and peer-to-peer support opportunities.
Alex von Schirmeister, MD, UK and Emerging Markets at Xero, says: “We’ve seen firsthand how transformative The Small & Mighty programme can be for business owners. It’s hard enough running your own firm but when you have to wear so many hats, it’s even harder to find the time to learn and master these additional skills you need whether that’s in finance, marketing or social media. So, a bite-sized course of this kind is very powerful. We can’t wait to help the next wave of these small businesses on their journey. They are crucial to our economy and society.”
Each business on the Small and Mighty Enterprise programme will receive weekly expert teaching on topics from business strategy and marketing to finance and resilience, along with two hours of free mentoring. Entrepreneurs will also have access to a supportive network of small businesses to share questions, challenges and solutions, and receive guidance to create an action plan to support their next year of opportunity.
Dr Tom Williamson, Assistant Principal of ARU Peterborough, adds: “We’re delighted to be continuing our successful collaboration with Small Business Britain and its fantastic Small and Mighty Enterprise programme. ARU Peterborough’s experts in business, management and finance have helped 2,700 small businesses to ‘think big’ and we can’t wait to help a new group of microbusiness owners as part of this important programme.”
Small businesses can sign up to take part in the programme here.
