The University of Wolverhampton, in partnership with Sandwell Council and Sandwell College, has extended its support for local businesses across the region by opening a new base for its Business Solutions Centre (BSC) in Sandwell.
Based on the national award winning BSC Centres already established in Wolverhampton, Telford, Hereford and Wyre Forest, the Sandwell Business Solutions Centre was originally set up in 2015 in the CAP Centre in Smethwick.
The partnership has enabled the relocation to a new larger premises in the ground floor of Sandwell College’s Central Campus in Spon Lane, West Bromwich, which opened yesterday (Wednesday 29th March).
The centre has dedicated business facing staff from the University and the council’s Think Sandwell’s Business Growth Team, working in collaboration with Sandwell College and the Black Country Chamber.
The staff will be able to offer support to local organisations and companies to grow their businesses as well as offering advice on how to access funding, business start-up help and how to access to their expertise.
Professor Ian Oakes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “The Sandwell Business Solutions Centre has been operating successfully for a number of years but this move to a bigger more central location should provide even greater benefit to the community.
“It will continue to operate based on the highly successful model offered across our Business Solutions Centre network, which has won a string of national awards for its work with over 1,500 businesses.
“We will be offering a range of support to businesses in and around Sandwell which will include start-up advice with workshops and mentoring, access to technology from drone hire to cyber security support, leadership and development programmes, seminars, events and networking opportunities.”
Jan Britton, Chief Executive of Sandwell Council, said: “This new facility offers businesses in the region a single point of contact providing an all-round service. Not only can it help companies identify and address their individual business needs, but it’s also helping address the skills gap in the region and making a positive economic impact on Sandwell and the surrounding areas.”
Sandwell College Principal Graham Pennington said: “It’s really important to us to have collaboration with businesses and key stakeholders and the university. We’re delighted to have this opportunity to base this centre here at Sandwell College. The more we can do to bring the world of work to our students, the better.”