Other programmes

Click here for information on Social Franchising Programme

Starting a Business

Growing Your Business

PAYE Changes - RTI is Coming
In April 2013, employers will have to start sending PAYE returns electronically using RTI-enabled payroll software to HM Revenue and Customs each time they pay their employees as part of routine payroll processes.
Employers in Northern Ireland are being urged by HM Revenue and Customes (HMRC) to get ready for major PAYE changes that come into effect in three months time. These returns will include details of all employees pay, tax and deductions. This new process will replace sending a separate return at the end of the year.
Steps to Follow:
To be ready for this change, employers should act now and follow these three easy steps:
1. The HMRC website provide comprehensive information about RTI, including how to prepare, payroll software options and hints and tips to help avoid some common pitfalls. For further information, Click Here
2. Acquire new or updated payroll software - you will need to talk to your payroll software provider or payroll service-provider (if you have one) about this.
3. Start checking and updating employee information. It's vital that the information you have about your employees is accurate and up to date.
Maximising Efficiencies
Product Development
Selling Outside Northern Ireland
Growing Your Business
ifactory Programme
ENI Loan Fund
Invest NI Market Visits Programme
Invest NI Innovation Vouchers Programme
Could your business use £4,000 to develop innovative solutions to business issues?
Are you interested in working with one of our highly respected universities or colleges?

The July call for innovation voucher applications is open until 31st July 2012. It is open to all enterprises, including
limited companies, sole traders and partnerships that employ fewer than 250 employees.
Invest NI - New Business Online Support
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) Business Assistance
Department for Employment and Learning - Sucess Through Skills
Opportunity to Up-skill or Re-skill Staff with DEL assisted funding - For further information or assistance please contact Anne Kelly, South West College on 028 8225 5223 or anne.kelly@swc.ac.uk. Alternatively you can contact the Skills Delivery Branch on 028 9090 5251 or skillsdeliverybranch@delni.gov.uk. Download a Customised Skills Proposal Form.
Department for Employment & Learning offers:

1. No cost Recruitment service
2. Advice and guidance on your recruitment needs
3. Advertises vacancies on www.jobcentreonline.com
4. A 24hr facility for Employers to recruit using www.employersonlineni.com
5. Financial incentives for recruitment up to £75 per week for 26 weeks
6. Financial support for training new and existing employees
7. Help and support for new and existing employees with health conditions
8. Work experience opportunities
9. Management & Leadership programmes

If you are interested in finding out more about the full range of programmes and services please contact: Heather McKeown, Employer Contact Manager, Cookstown, Magherafelt and Dungannon on Tel: 028 79302079 or email: heather.mckeown@nissa.gsi.gov.uk
Rapid Response Programme to Assist Businesses - Business Innovation Development Unit at South Eastern Regional College on 028 9127 6695 or e-mail business-support@serc.ac.uk
Play Resource Industry
ICE Programme - free programme enabling companies to add value and build innovation capacity and capability by developing new business models, products, services and processes. To view flyer click on link: ICE Programme Flyer
Equality Commission - Small Business Support

The Equality Commission has launched a new web based resource aimed at helping small to medium enterprises in Northern Ireland. The website includes useful information such as help drafting job descriptions, preparing recruitment advertisements, advice on flexible working, model policies on maternity, absence management and redundancy. To view website click here: www.equalityni.org
Social Franchise Programme

The Social Franchising Programme is offering:

- 10 social enterprises the opportunity to develop their business into a franchise.
- 20 community and voluntary or social enterprises interested in a franchise arrangement to start up a new social economy business.

Information seminars are planned for Enniskillen, Omagh, Lisburn, Derry/Londonderry, Armagh, Banbridge and Newry commencing 20th February 2012.

Click here for information on Social Franchising Programme , or visit www.socialfranchisingni.com

Boost Programme for Unemployed 16-24 Year Olds

The Boost Programme provides unemployed 16-24 year olds with a complete package of resources, support and guidance to ensure they have the skills and attitude needed to compete in today’s difficult job market. The Programme is funded by the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2007-13, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department for Employment and Learning and is designed and managed by enterprise and employability experts Advantage. So, if you’re 16-24, unemployed and living in a rural area, grab your FREE ‘Get that Job Toolkit’ now by contacting the Boost team at info@boostni.com or 02893 356 731.

To view Flyer: Boost Programme for Unemployed 16-24 Year Olds

Youth Enterprise Scheme (YES)

YES is a Northern Ireland specific programme run by the Department of Employment & Learning aimed at helping young people aged 18-24 and unemployed to find permanent work. The scheme mainly works by giving young people the opportunity to develop their skills through two practical workplace experience options:

The Work Experience Programme offers short (2-8 week) work experience placements with Host Organisations where you will be given the chance to try out a variety of tasks in a real work situation and develop your employability skills.
The Skills Development Programme offers longer term (6-9 months) work placements for jobs in certain business areas with potential to create future employment.

Participants receive a training allowance that's equal to their benefits, plus an extra £45 a week. Travel costs over £4 per week will also be covered. For further information please - Click Here

Northern Ireland Spin Out Funds (NISPO)

The Northern Ireland Spin Out (NISPO) initiatives support start-up and early stage businesses in Northern Ireland. The support includes a £5 million venture capital fund, the Invest Growth Fund, which is provided by Invest Northern Ireland and focuses on seed and early stage businesses with high growth potential. NISPO also includes a £3 million proof of concept fund, the Invest Growth Proof of Concept Fund, which is funded by Invest Northern Ireland to provide funding to very early, non-university projects.

For further information - Click Here

Invest NI - NI Small Business Loan Fund

Invest NI have opened the NI Small Business Loan Fund for applications. The aim of the fund is to ensure that businesses are not held back because they cannot access finance.

The NI Small Business Loan Fund will provide typically unsecured loans to individuals, private companies and social enterprises in the SME and micro enterprise size range, in the start-up and growth phases of development. For further information - Click Here

Invest NI - The Growth Loan Fund

Invest NI have opened the Growth Loan Fund for applications. The aim of the fund is to ensure that businesses with growth potential are not held back because they cannot access finance.

The £50m Growth Loan Fund expects to provide loan finance of approximately £10m per annum to SME's based in Northern Ireland for the next 5 years. For further information - Click Here

Invest NI - Co-Investment Fund

Invest NI have opened Co-Investment Fund for applications. The fund will be made available to qualifying businesses based in Northern Ireland where co-investment is required alongside business angel investment and other private investment.

The Fund is not open to direct approaches from individual businesses. Those businesses seeking investment should first secure the interest of private investors. However, the Fund will work with existing private investors and businesses where a substantial proportion of the required private sources of funding are in place. For further information - Click Here