Support offered to small businesses which are seeking to survive, consolidate and grow

A HIGHLY innovative and exciting new programme that is aimed at assisting local businesses in these tough economic times was recently launched in the East Border Region.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Feb 2013, 08:00 BST

The ASPIRE Programme seeks to match a high calibre graduate with each participating business for a 12 month period to assist the owner-manager to achieve real commercial results in areas such as sales, marketing, export development, finance and innovation. Funded by the European Union through the INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme businesses can secure a graduate on a full time basis for 12 months for only £3,600.

Speaking after the launch of the Programme, Catriona Regan, Director of Leisure and Development for Banbridge District Council said,

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“We are delighted to be taking the lead on this exciting new programme. We have long recognised the potential value of matching high quality young graduates with growth focused businesses and we believe that this Programme offers incredible Value for Money for small businesses”.

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The Programme is open to SMEs and micro enterprises in the following council areas in Northern Ireland – Ards, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Down, Newry and Mourne and North Down as well as Counties Louth and Monaghan in the south of Ireland and will be delivered by a consortium comprising Full Circle Management Solutions Ltd, Helix and FPM Chartered Accountants.

Chairman of East Border Region Councillor Gerald Mallon welcomed the Aspire Programme, “We in East Border Region are delighted to be the lead partner on such an innovative and worthwhile project. Given today’s challenging economic climate this level of investment and job creation is much needed and greatly welcomed across the region”.

At the launch event Peter Grant of Helix also spoke of the project, “We will not only help owner-managers to find the right graduate, we will work with the owner-manager and the graduate to really work to achieve real commercial results over the 12 month period. The fact that the Programme is so heavily subsidised means that even very small micro enterprises can realistically apply”.

For further information on the Aspire Programme or to apply for a place, please contact Conor Boylan, Full Circle Management Solutions Ltd T: 028 90 69 1027 or E: [email protected]

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