BUSINESSES are being offered free specialist training to develop the competitiveness of local firms and secure new work.

The courses offered by Worcestershire County Council, in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust, will help trades such as plumbers, electricians, general builders and heating installers to increase their skills and provide opportunities to network with similar businesses across the county.

A range of free small business masterclasses are available in June, July and September across the county covering a number of subjects. These include tendering and procurement, marketing, collective working, energy efficiency installation accreditation and an introduction to renewable technologies.

Ally Wadeward from the Energy Saving Trust said: "The small business masterclasses will help businesses grow and secure more work. They will help installers to increase the range of work they can undertake and ultimately help to secure jobs and increase the number of energy efficient installations across the county.

“You don’t need to be an expert to attend. The marketing introduction course is suitable for anyone who wants to promote their business online, and the tendering and procurement course will help when bidding for work or looking for public sector contracts.”

For further information about the training programme, please call 029 2047 5959, email supportingworcestershire@est.org.uk or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/businesses/support-programmes/worcestershire