Business programmes
We provide a range of programmes to help businesses in Belfast enhance their own competitiveness and growth potential. All our business programmes are listed below. Also take a look at our business eventsCurrently open for recruitment
Hospitality and Retail Training for Employment Programme
This programme targets the long-term unemployed by providing job training opportunities in the hospitality and retail industries.
Sales Growth Programme
Phase two opens in October 2010.
The programme aims to improve the selling skills of business owners and mangers.
Rural Development Programme
£8.7 million is available to invest in projects in rural areas in Belfast, Lisburn and Castlereagh.
Upcoming programmes
Advanced Industry Materials Saving Programme Phase two opens in October 2010.
This programme will help businesses save money by analysing the flow, quality and sustainability of materials incorporated in products and services.
Business Improvement through Environmental Solutions Programme (BITES)
BITES is a business development initiative designed to help businesses reduce waste and energy, boost profits and help the environment.
Pre-enterprise Social Economy Programme
Phase two opens in September 2010.
This programme helps community organisations or individuals who want to find out more about becoming a social enterprise.
Strategy in Business Initiative
Phase two opens in September 2010.
This programme helps small businesses to develop the practical skills necessary to think strategically and develop plans for future growth.
South by Southwest South by Southwest (SXSW) is a set of interactive, film, and music festivals and conferences that take place every spring in Austin, Texas.
Belfast Enterprise Academy
Phase two opens in September 2010.
This programme supports university students through a tailored mentoring programme to develop business ideas and plan business opportunities.
Enterprise Skills for Youth Programme
This programme helps young people, aged 18 - 30, find out what it's like to run a business. They also get to meet other young business owners.
Franchising Initiative
Phase two opens in autumn 2010.
This initiative is aimed at helping entrepreneurs and businesses to start or expand their businesses through franchising.
Smarter Procurement Programme
This programme helps small businesses identify and take advantage of new sales opportunities in the public and private sectors.
Current programmes (closed to recruitment)
Buy/Make/Sell
This World Trade Centre Belfast programme offers participants an exciting opportunity to improve their global operations.
Pre-enterprise Social Economy Programme
This programme helps community organisations or individuals who want to find out more about becoming a social enterprise.
Retail Therapy ProgrammeWould you like to make your business more competitive? This programme is tailored specifically for the independent retail sector.
Case studies from past programmes
BITES case studiesSmallworld Music and Anderson Spratt both found ways to reduce waste and energy, while boosting profits.
HARTE Programme case study
Rachel Gordon took part in the Hospitality and Retail Training for Employment (HARTE) programme and was employed by Ramada Encore.
Strategy in Business Initiative case studyFrank Design found our Strategy in Business Initiative extremely useful as it has contributed to their business growth.
Retail Therapy Programme case studies
Crumbs!Cakes!, Dawson Wright Hardware, Equinox and Orchid Lingerie have all benefited from our Retail Therapy Programme.
Sales Growth Programme case studies
Artfrique and Flying Colours Image Consultancy both took part in our Sales Growth Programme.
Business events
We organise and run a series of events to help businesses.- Take a look at our latest business events
