Issues

Putting knowledge and business first

Southern Regional College (SRC) leads in the provision of business support, technical skills and in building growth and opportunity for the future.

Accessing the right skills, knowledge and expertise is key for any business that wants to innovate and grow. Amid greater economic uncertainty, intensifying competition and higher expectations from savvy customers and clients, businesses need assistance now more than ever – and the award-winning Business Support and Innovation Centre at SRC is doing exactly that.

SRC continues to deliver a world class service to businesses of all sizes across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council areas and across the island.

Providing a mix of technical and business solutions for forward-looking companies, its experienced team also helps companies develop the skills they need to grow, to become more efficient, flexible and productive – and better able to compete.

After decades of business partnership success, the award-wining SRC Business Support and Innovation Centre is now a major provider of business support and knowledge transfer activity to local and regional businesses and industry.

In 2016-17, the specialist business support unit delivered knowledge transfer and training support to more than 300 companies, with over 4,500 employees having also benefited from targeted upskilling support over the last three years.

Last year, more than 50 staff located in Newry-based pharmaceutical global leader and longstanding SRC business partner, Norbrook Laboratories, were rewarded for their achievements after gaining new credentials in a range of qualifications including Higher-Level apprenticeships.

SRC also currently works with over 700 companies generating apprenticeship opportunities at all levels, a figure which will increase rapidly in the years ahead in response to growing business demand and a new enhanced partnership offer.

SRC Chief Executive, Brian Doran, says: “Partnership working is at the very heart of what we do as a College. SRC has placed significant emphasis on embedding innovation and enterprise in its own field and we are pleased to be working with companies across a variety of sectors, not only sharing knowledge, ideas and skills, but also providing real technical know-how that helps businesses to succeed and grow.

“Knowledge means business and partnership breathes success. From pre-start and start-ups to established businesses, SMEs and multinational firms, sole traders and micro-businesses, the skills and advice you need are available.”

With 15 dedicated business specialists and access to 900 lecturing and support staff working across a variety of sectors, including engineering, food innovation and technology, life and chemical sciences, ICT and construction – the opportunities for business innovation growth are endless.

Knowledge Transfer support is mostly, wholly or part-funded through several dedicated programmes, including the Invest Northern Ireland Innovation Voucher scheme, Department for the Economy (DfE) InnovateUs, InterTradeIreland’s Fusion Programme and InnovateUK’s KTP initiative, in addition to other sectoral funding support available.

Driven by the successful delivery of the Higher-Level Degree Apprenticeships programme, SRC has already partnered with local businesses, securing more than 150 jobs for its students with local firms, a figure which will grow further as part of a new and enhanced Higher-Level Apprenticeship scheme offer.

 

 

 

SRC Business Support & Innovation

T: 028 3025 9664

E: betterbusiness@src.ac.uk

W: www.src.ac.uk

Show More
Back to top button