News

Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

Supporting Education and Training: the Value of Apprenticeships

At Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, we’re proud of our track record in supporting education and training initiatives at both a local and national level, helping to prepare young people to meet the needs of businesses today and into the future.

We’ve written recently, for example, about our role as joint Designated Lead in the rollout of the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIP) scheme in the region. But we’ve also committed to supporting education and training within our own organisation through apprenticeships.

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The benefits of apprenticeships for small businesses

This week is National Apprenticeship Week 2020. It is an annual celebration of the benefits of apprenticeships in the UK, with events being run up and down the country.

Read More

Metro Bank & Cranfield launch banking master’s-level apprenticeship

Cranfield School of Management has partnered with Metro Bank to launch an MSc in Retail and Digital Banking.

Read More

Are you a levy paying employer?

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is working in collaboration with Skills4Stem to provide the Level 4 Associate Project Management Higher Apprenticeship Programme for Levy paying members.

Read More

Bedfordshire provides apprenticeship training for Luton Council

The University of Bedfordshire has teamed up with Luton Council to provide higher apprenticeships for some of their employees.

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BCC: Labour market remains robust, but earnings slowdown concerning

Commenting on the labour market figures for June 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

Set your sights on an Apprenticeship

So, you’ve set your sights on becoming an Accountant, but you’re unsure about how to land the role you really want?

Read More

BCC reacts to Chancellor’s Spring Statement

Commenting on the Spring Statement, delivered today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

Adam Marshall: Ambitious growth plan for UK more important to business than Brexit

Addressing the BCC Annual Conference 2018 today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, will remind the government that the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the UK business community, and country, are not related to exiting the EU, but to the fundamentals in the domestic environment.

Read More

Apprentices from non-levy paying employers can now choose Cranfield

Cranfield University has been chosen by the Education and Skills Funding Agency to receive Government funding to deliver postgraduate apprenticeships for non-levy paying employers. Non-levy paying employers are businesses with an annual pay bill of under £3 million.

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Manufacturing skills problem on path to full blown crisis

With the UK manufacturing PMI and CBI SME trends survey out today, Atul Kariya, head of manufacturing at MHA MacIntyre Hudson, comments on the urgent need to address the growing skills crisis threatening the sector:

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New apprenticeship system is increasing costs and uncertainty for business

Six months after its introduction, businesses remain in the dark about how best to utilise the Apprenticeship Levy, according to a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in conjunction with Middlesex University London.

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Manufacturing Survey Report Launch

MHA MacIntyre Hudson and Lloyds Bank Plc have launched their much anticipated Manufacturing Survey Report for 2017/18. Our survey highlights that, 65% of respondents have achieved revenue growth this last year, compared with 50% the year before.

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4 in 5 businesses hit by rising employment costs

Around 4 in every 5 businesses have seen their costs increase this year through changes in employment legislation, according to a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Read More

Quarterly Economic Survey: Solid economic growth likely in Q1 but inflation remains a key risk

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey. 

Read More

Chamber gives full reaction to Chancellor’s Spending Review

In a full response to the Autumn Statement and Spending Review, Cheryl Smart MBE, Chief Executive said:

Read More

BCC to ministers: a positive start, but much more to do

The UK government has taken a number of positive steps to support British business in the first parliamentary session since the election - but there are some areas of serious concern that remain unaddressed, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), one of the UK's largest and most influential business groups.

Read More

Autumn Statement addresses key business concerns

Commenting on the Autumn Statement, delivered today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Read More

High level apprenticeships

Chuka Umunna speech: high-level apprenticeships would benefit employers and young people

Read More

Apprenticeships grants

Apprenticeship grants are available via the National Apprenticeship Service to support businesses to recruit new 16-24 year olds as apprentices.    Employers have until December 2014 to claim up to ten grants of £1.5 k each (subject to eligibility and availability, grant applications are considered on a first come first served basis).

Read More

Skills route to employment

Commenting on today’s A-Level results, John Wastnage, Employment and Skills Adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Read More

Traineeship framework

Commenting on the announcement of the new framework for delivery of traineeships by Skills Minister Matthew Hancock, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

Apprenticeship Ambassadors

Could you explain the benefits of employing an apprentice to other businesses?  Bedford Borough Council are looking for Apprenticeship Ambassadors as the area is currently experiencing relatively low numbers of new apprentice opportunities being created and are working hard to encourage local businesses to reap the benefits that employing an apprentice can bring

Read More

Apprenticeships: Your views

The Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Provider Network are keen to hear views from employers across Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire about 16-24 Youth Unemployment and how you feel about Apprenticeships.

Read More

BCC: Minimum Wage rise

Commenting on the government’s decisions today on National Minimum Wage rates from 1 October 2013, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

Supporting Education and Training: the Value of Apprenticeships

At Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, we’re proud of our track record in supporting education and training initiatives at both a local and national level, helping to prepare young people to meet the needs of businesses today and into the future.

We’ve written recently, for example, about our role as joint Designated Lead in the rollout of the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIP) scheme in the region. But we’ve also committed to supporting education and training within our own organisation through apprenticeships.

Read More

The benefits of apprenticeships for small businesses

This week is National Apprenticeship Week 2020. It is an annual celebration of the benefits of apprenticeships in the UK, with events being run up and down the country.

Read More

Metro Bank & Cranfield launch banking master’s-level apprenticeship

Cranfield School of Management has partnered with Metro Bank to launch an MSc in Retail and Digital Banking.

Read More

Are you a levy paying employer?

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is working in collaboration with Skills4Stem to provide the Level 4 Associate Project Management Higher Apprenticeship Programme for Levy paying members.

Read More

Bedfordshire provides apprenticeship training for Luton Council

The University of Bedfordshire has teamed up with Luton Council to provide higher apprenticeships for some of their employees.

Read More

BCC: Labour market remains robust, but earnings slowdown concerning

Commenting on the labour market figures for June 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

Set your sights on an Apprenticeship

So, you’ve set your sights on becoming an Accountant, but you’re unsure about how to land the role you really want?

Read More

BCC reacts to Chancellor’s Spring Statement

Commenting on the Spring Statement, delivered today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

Adam Marshall: Ambitious growth plan for UK more important to business than Brexit

Addressing the BCC Annual Conference 2018 today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, will remind the government that the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the UK business community, and country, are not related to exiting the EU, but to the fundamentals in the domestic environment.

Read More

Apprentices from non-levy paying employers can now choose Cranfield

Cranfield University has been chosen by the Education and Skills Funding Agency to receive Government funding to deliver postgraduate apprenticeships for non-levy paying employers. Non-levy paying employers are businesses with an annual pay bill of under £3 million.

Read More

4 in 5 businesses hit by rising employment costs

Around 4 in every 5 businesses have seen their costs increase this year through changes in employment legislation, according to a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Read More

Quarterly Economic Survey: Solid economic growth likely in Q1 but inflation remains a key risk

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey. 

Read More

Chamber gives full reaction to Chancellor’s Spending Review

In a full response to the Autumn Statement and Spending Review, Cheryl Smart MBE, Chief Executive said:

Read More

BCC to ministers: a positive start, but much more to do

The UK government has taken a number of positive steps to support British business in the first parliamentary session since the election - but there are some areas of serious concern that remain unaddressed, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), one of the UK's largest and most influential business groups.

Read More

Autumn Statement addresses key business concerns

Commenting on the Autumn Statement, delivered today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Read More

High level apprenticeships

Chuka Umunna speech: high-level apprenticeships would benefit employers and young people

Read More

Apprenticeships grants

Apprenticeship grants are available via the National Apprenticeship Service to support businesses to recruit new 16-24 year olds as apprentices.    Employers have until December 2014 to claim up to ten grants of £1.5 k each (subject to eligibility and availability, grant applications are considered on a first come first served basis).

Read More

Skills route to employment

Commenting on today’s A-Level results, John Wastnage, Employment and Skills Adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Read More

Traineeship framework

Commenting on the announcement of the new framework for delivery of traineeships by Skills Minister Matthew Hancock, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

Apprenticeship Ambassadors

Could you explain the benefits of employing an apprentice to other businesses?  Bedford Borough Council are looking for Apprenticeship Ambassadors as the area is currently experiencing relatively low numbers of new apprentice opportunities being created and are working hard to encourage local businesses to reap the benefits that employing an apprentice can bring

Read More

Apprenticeships: Your views

The Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Provider Network are keen to hear views from employers across Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire about 16-24 Youth Unemployment and how you feel about Apprenticeships.

Read More

BCC: Minimum Wage rise

Commenting on the government’s decisions today on National Minimum Wage rates from 1 October 2013, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

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