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29th Mar 2024
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Help for small firms to go for Olympic gold

by The Editor at 11:10 20/10/06 (News)
The Government Office for the South East has been awarded £6.98million from the European Social Fund (ESF) to support the employment and skills needs of small construction firms to bid for contracts in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Working in partnership, Business Link, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the South East Centre of the Built Environment (SECBE) have won European Social Funding to run the 'Bidding for Gold' programme.

'Bidding for Gold' is devised to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the built environment in forming consortia to be able to bid for large construction projects which they would be unable to tender for as a single organisation. Participating SMEs will receive support and training through workshops and networking programmes run by high profile providers. The programme runs from July 2006 to June 2008.

This project is open to any SME, as defined under EU regulations, working in the built environment sector and based in the South East. The EU defines an SME as a business that has fewer than 250 employees and either an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million.

Backbone of industry
Chris Blythe, CIOB Chief Executive, said: “SMEs are the backbone of our industry and we believe that helping them achieve their potential is vital to the regional economy. We’re delighted to be working with SECBE and Business Link to drive positive change in the industry, and hope to see this rolled out nationally in due course so that everyone can benefit from the opportunity to improve."

Graeme Finch, Chief Executive Business Link Solutions said: “Construction SMEs working together to pitch for some of the larger contracts is an essential component to business growth and improvement. The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will provide excellent opportunities for the many construction companies in the South East. Business Link is delighted to be able to offer support to this project, together with some of the sector specialists, to enable SMEs to be a part of this exciting period.”

Participating companies will:

  • Receive relevant workshop training on topics including market analysis, tendering and procurement processes, project management, bid writing, partnership and team working and business improvement.

  • Attend Bidding for Gold information, advice and guidance sessions on contracts out to tender, and the background information needed for successful bidding.

  • Meet and work with other companies in the built environment sector with complementary skills.

  • Have the opportunity to become part of flexible consortia, bidding for large scale projects.

  • Access support from key bodies in the construction and built environment sectors.

You can find out more by contacting the CIOB on 01344 630718.

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Susie Hughes © Hardhatter 2006
The Editor

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