Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) Aberdeen Business School (ABS) has been awarded Small Business Charter accreditation in recognition of its business support, entrepreneurship education, and engagement within the local economy.
The Small Business Charter celebrates business schools playing an effective role in supporting small business, local economies, and student entrepreneurship. ABS is one of only three university business schools in Scotland that hold the accreditation. This will allow ABS to build on its existing support for SMEs through a range of projects. Plus, enhance its offering on a national scale.
The School already delivers several initiatives designed to develop local enterprise. However, it will now deliver the Government-funded Help to Grow scheme. Running for the next three years, it aims to help the SME sector grow and boost the economy post-Covid.
Professor Elizabeth Gammie, head of ABS, says; “I am delighted that we have been successful in the Small Business Charter. This will present great opportunities for our students, as well as the local economy.
“This has been a very vigorous process to go through during this challenging year juggling a global pandemic. I cannot thank everyone at the School enough for the hard work they put into this. We’re looking forward to furthering our commitment to local businesses with this accreditation, as well as engaging and collaborating with other Business Schools who hold the Small Business Charter.”
Also commenting is Anne Kiem OBE, executive director of the Small Business Charter and chief executive of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
“We congratulate everyone at Aberdeen Business School for achieving the Small Business Charter Award. Their commitment to supporting SMEs and student entrepreneurship, particularly through initiatives such as the Graduate Apprenticeship scheme, is excellent. It is clear that student enterprise is an integral part of the philosophy of the school.”
The School’s work concerning graduate apprenticeships was recognised as an “exempla” by the Small Business Charter; meeting specific criteria to be considered as an example of excellence in the field.
ABS developed a predominantly online graduate apprenticeship in business management, funded by Skills Development Scotland. This supports both the upskilling and reskilling of professionals and workforces for the changing working environment by providing accessible, work-based learning opportunities.
To date, there are 35 business schools across the United Kingdom and Ireland that have been awarded the Small Business Charter in recognition of their ongoing work to support small businesses, local economies, and student entrepreneurship.
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