The Small and Medium Enterprise Productivity and Innovation Centre (SME PIC) has been recognised in the EDI Community Engagement Initiative of the Year category for its delivery on the Leading Lancashire programme. Over 900 employees from 340 SMEs, 500 of which were female leaders, were supported to develop high-quality management and leadership skills over a three year period.
Leading Lancashire was offered fully funded to SMEs and their employees to help them build a more equal, diverse and inclusive workforce in management and leadership roles.
Professor Simon Bolton, Director of the SME PIC, said: “Being shortlisted for our work on creating more diverse workforces is very pleasing and is a is testament to the hard work of our team. Supporting the development of more diverse workforces is something that is good for businesses as well as society as a whole.
“I’d also like to thank those businesses who’ve taken part in the programme for their enthusiasm in working with us to boost the skills of their workforce.”
The SME PIC was launched in 2017 as a new strategic gateway and Centre of Excellence to scale up potential SMEs, enhancing their knowledge, skills, and resources to boost products, services or assist with business model innovation.
The Centre runs hugely successful initiatives to support businesses in Lancashire and the Liverpool City Region, having helped over 700 SMEs to address barriers to improving productivity, growth and the workforce.
The Triple E Awards highlight Europe’s most effective organisations, individuals, projects and programs in Entrepreneurship and Engagement. The awards ceremony will be held in Barcelona in June, for more information visit the Triple E Awards website.
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April 19, 2023
