Photo: Russ Cockburn of Cucumber PR

Manufacturers in the West Midlands can tap into a 12-week programme of expert classes to help them upskill their workforces as the manufacturing industry emerges from the shadow of Covid-19.

In-Comm Training, which works with more than 250 companies on delivering apprenticeships, training and consultancy, has secured funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) to pull together a comprehensive Business Masterclass series of workshops.

Firms across the region can sign up for the 12 sessions starting on 7 October, giving a minimum of one employee the chance to benefit from 1hr courses in intellectual property, cyber crime, international trade for beginners and redundancy support to cope with the pandemic.

The initiative has also harnessed the expertise of Eleven10Creative and Cucumber PR which will enable companies to gain insights into digital marketing and ‘creating the headlines’ through a pro-active media campaign, which will help to boost sales.

Bekki Phillips, managing director of In-Comm Training, said: “Businesses need all the help they can get to overcome the pandemic and try to find new sales to replace lost volumes.

“This is why we have come together with a number of partners to create a Masterclass series of workshops featuring some of the most experienced and brightest minds in the region. Each topic has been selected as a pain point or an opportunity and our experts will give participants the chance to gain an initial taster in these key areas.”

She continued: “We have signed up FBC Manby Bowdler, James Howard of Red Orchid, HK Technologies, MET Recruitment, Crowe, NatWest and Wellmeadow Consulting and, if this wasn’t enough, all of this knowledge is free-of-charge for companies thanks to the ESF funding.”

If firms want to take part in the Business Masterclass Series they have to sign-up for all 12 sessions, with at least one member of staff attending the virtual workshops, which will be delivered via Zoom video conferencing software.

Single sessions can also be aranged, but these will be subject to a charge of £15 plus VAT.

To book aplace, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow training on twitter.

Full list of Business Masterclass Series workshops:

7 October: Introduction to Intellectual Property – Charlotte Clode (FBC Manby Bowdler)

14 October: Crisis Compliance – James Howard (Red Orchid)

21 October: ‘Creating the Headlines’ – Russ Cockburn (Cucumber PR)

28 October: Cyber Crime & Fraud Awareness – TeeJay Nichols (NatWest/RBS)

4 November: Redundancy Support Post Covid-19 – Julia Fitzsimmons (FBC Manby Bowdler)

11 November: Strategic Planning & Finance Management – Jonathan Dudley (Crowe)

18 November: Bored or Board Meetings – Dave Parry (Wellmeadow Consulting)

25 November: Additive Manufacturing – Lee Adamson (HK Technologies)

2 December: Digital Marketing – Steve Watson (Eleven10Creative)

9 December: International Trade for Beginners – Norman Rikuneko (Shropshire Chamber of Commerce)

16 December: Recruit & Retain the Best Talent for Your Business In Light Of The New Normal – Hannah Mountford (MET Recruitment)

23 December: Organisational Restructure & Training Opportunities Post Covid-19 – Bekki Phillips (In-Comm Training)