LOCAL businesses are ready to take advantage of new sales opportunities within the public sector thanks to targeted training hosted through Belfast City Council’s Smarter Procurement Programme.
The programme was open to 14 small companies or social enter-prises with less than 20 employees in the city to help them identify procurement opportunities and develop the skills required to construct tender bids more effectively.
It was funded by Belfast City Council, Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.
A celebration event took place in City Hall on Thursday for the businesses who completed the programme.
Among the participants was Jim Winter from Bel-Air Services NI Ltd. and artist Angela Ginn.
“The Smarter Procurement Programme was well structured providing comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the tendering process,” Jim said. “I benefited from tailored one-to-one mentoring and the opportunity to interact with others seeking to develop new business:” Councillor Deirdre Ilargey, chair of the council’s Development Committee, presented the participants with certificates for completing the programme. “
The council is committed to supporting local business and we work with companies across a wide range of sectors to enhance their growth and competitive-ness,” she said.
‘Through the Smarter Procurement Programme, we aimed to support local businesses with no experience in tendering and procurement and help them develop the skills and knowledge which would allow them to enter into this market.
Targeting the public sector, in particular, can be a daunting prospect for many small businesses and social enterprises?
‘ The council is currently running a series of workshops giving an introduction to procurement with the next workshop taking place in Malone House on September 25.
More information at: http://www.belfastciptgov.uk/businessibusinessevents/businessev. ents.aspx