Economy and community boosted by five three one campaign

THE five three one initiative, a campaign that aims to help the economy to grow and for young people to achieve their potential, is gathering momentum.

The business to business campaign, nurtured by the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, is charged with offering hassle free access to mentoring and work placements, amongst other policies, as a means to support business development and help boost local growth.

The campaign offers particular benefits to micro-businesses and SMEs, with hundreds of companies and thousands of employees across the city region reporting benefits.

Case Study 1

“Mentoring just gives me a great feeling of satisfaction” – Beverly Shutak, of Beverley Shutak Printing Services

BEVERLEY Shutak is the owner of a company in Halifax and is mentoring Dale Hooley as part of the five three one campaign.

Mr Hooley is a young entrepreneur who has recently set up Getting Personal, a business that produces promotional items from business card holders through to mugs, jackets and tee-shirts.

“Mentoring Dale just gives me a great feeling of satisfaction,” said Mrs Shutak. “And working together in this way is also mutually beneficial. We both work in similar industries. So in addition to helping Dale with his business and marketing skills, I also benefit from his input.”

Case Study 2

“Work experience doesn’t cost a company anything” – Debbie Watson of Caddick Construction
 
CADDICK Construction is one of the companies inspired by the five three one campaign to offer a work placement to a former offender.

“Work experience doesn’t cost a company anything and when the job market is so competitive, it really helps people get a foot on the ladder” said Debbie Watson, Caddick’s business development manager.
 
“Work placements provide opportunities for employees to gain supervision and management experience, so we also benefit from development of new skills.”

Ms Watson added that work experience lets companies “try before they buy”.

“You might have someone who starts off really well, but after a while their performance begins to slip,” she said. “But when someone consistently comes across as a real star then you want to help them.”

Five three one campaign is encouraging businesses across the city region to get involved.

It is working side by side with Job Centre Plus, National Apprenticeship Service, New Enterprise Allowance Agencies, Education Business Partnerships, Leeds City Region Skills network, private sector partners and local authorities across the area to ensure a joined up, streamlined and hassle free service to all businesses.

Five three one will be running a roadshow, starting in March as part of Wakefield Business Week, and will be visiting all areas in the region to promote the campaign, including Calderdale, Bradford and Barnsley.

For more information on how your business can benefit from the campaign visit www.leedscityregion.gov.uk/fivethreeone