A Yorkshire business support programme is working with Leeds Beckett University to provide free online resources to businesses during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Digital Learning Hub is a free resource providing online masterclasses, tips and advice to young businesses who want to improve their skills and knowledge. It has been developed by Leeds Beckett University in partnership with AD:VENTURE, a business support programme for new businesses in North and West Yorkshire funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The content has been developed by academics from Leeds Beckett’s Business School and covers business planning, sales, leadership skills, marketing and pricing. Each masterclass contains a 15-minute video tutorial and provides suggested tasks to complete to put the learning into practice.
The resources are aimed at businesses in the Leeds City Region from pre start-up to three years old and can be accessed on any PC or mobile device.
Kirstie Frenneaux, Leeds Beckett University Project Manager, said: “The Digital Learning Hub was being developed before the COVID-19 outbreak, but in light of the current situation and the crippling effect it is having on our small businesses, it’s more important than ever that these resources are available.
“The masterclasses will provide an opportunity for growing business leaders to continue learning and planning during these challenging times and ensure that they are prepared for when the region begins to recover from this pandemic.”
The Digital Learning Hub has been developed in partnership with Candle Digital, an online learning platform provider based in Halifax. The company was successful in the procurement process and works with several clients in the US and China. In the early days of the business, Candle Digital received AD:VENTURE support to help it to grow.
Mark Langdale, co-director at Candle Digital, said: “We can’t recommend AD:VENTURE or Leeds Beckett University enough. The support we have received is far beyond anything we could ever have expected. We would suggest to any start-up or young business that they investigate the advice, guidance and sessions that are on offer and make the most of them.”
For more details on the Digital Learning Hub, businesses should contact their AD:VENTURE advisor or register onto the programme at www.ad-venture.org.uk/register.
Photograph shows: Andy Jack (left) and Mark Langdale (right) from Candle Digital.
