Eligible small and medium sized businesses on Merseyside can apply for an HR Scholarship to help develop their professional HR skills thanks to a Scholarship fund launched by EEF North West to its members.

A grant award covering up to 65% of the cost of studying for one of EEF North West’s new suite of CIPD approved certificate programmes - Certificate in Employment Relations, Law and Practice (CERLAP), Certificate in Personnel Practice (CPP) or Certificate in Training Practice (CPP) - will be made available to organisations that present the best business cases to EEF North West’s Scholarship Committee.

Eligibility criteria and conditions apply. To find out more details contact Steve Honess, Regional Manager, EEF North West, 0151 227 2121.

More details on EEF courses can be found in this PDF.

Flexibility in the workplace is good for the UK

In response to the PM’s speech this morning outlining his vision for “flexi-Britain”. David Frost Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce commented:

“The Prime Minister has outlined a positive vision for Britain’s economy.

“As business squares up to the global competitive challenge posed by the emerging economies of India and China the ability to respond quickly to change is vital.

“There are two sides to flexibility; one is ensuring that regulatory conditions are such that they allow employers to be lean and agile and the other is for employees to manage their work in a manner that suits their circumstances.

“New research conducted by the BCC amongst small and medium size businesses suggests that employers are enthusiastically adopting a flexible approach to the way they manage their staff. The Government needs to continue to work with business to deliver those regulatory and economic conditions which will help our business sector to thrive globally.”

Read more about Tony Blair’s ‘flexi Britain’ speech at the Guardian. 

A new website has been launched focusing on the media industry in the North West.

How-Do offers news, opinion and resources for those working in all aspects of media in the region.

It also provides links to many other websites, resources and blogs from across the region, and a forum for media professionals to share their views and ideas.

Liverpool Chamber’s CEO, Jack Stopforth, appeared on Radio Merseyside today. As well as admitting to his admiration for the musical genius that is Michael Jackson, his main topics were the increased optimism for the Liverpool economy.

Jack spoke about the new Liverpool waterfront arena and the boost to the city it will provide. Events like conferences and conventions as well as award ceremonies and concerts will mean Liverpool will join the premier league as a destination for such activities.

He also mentioned the new prospectus for a Liverpool City Region. This, he believes, marks a new era of co-operation between the six local authorities. This will make the region more attractive to businesses and see a greater harmony between public and private sectors.

You can listen to the interview here. [MP3, 7MB]