TaPPing into Bristol’s business potential
After two successful years of supporting south Bristol businesses, South Bristol Talent Pathway (SBTaPP – pronounced ‘S B Tap’) is coming to an end.
SBTaPP was a council-provided service for small businesses. The project acted as a ‘friendly face’ and guide to accessing the multiple business-support services in Bristol, which can often be tricky for small businesses.
Congratulations to the project team including the Head of Service for Employment, Skills and Learning, Jane Taylor, Project Co-ordinator Mairead McLoughlin, Project Manager Darren Perkins and Project Officer Sam Porter.
SBTaPP began after identifying a low take-up of business-support services in south Bristol. In total 952 businesses were engaged, covering all wards in the south of the city and sectors as varied as hospitality, construction, and retail.
Additionally, 43 apprentices started with businesses working with SBTaPP. Eden Hair, a small business supported by SBTaPP, said “without the help I have received I wouldn’t have been able to take on an apprentice”.
SBTaPP partnered with another ESL team, Bristol WORKS, who did a fantastic job of organising work experience for young people in south Bristol businesses. Through the partnership, 1,115 young people have had the opportunity to engaged with businesses and receive inspirational experiences of work, preparing them for leaving school and their careers.
The team received two awards in recognition of their hard work. The Federation of Small Businesses awarded SBTaPP with the regional best ‘all round small-business friendly’ award among local authorities in the Southwest of England.
Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA) gave SBTaPP a silver award for their work in helping Bristol become a dementia-friendly city. This work saw staff from BDAA visit businesses to train and inform their staff on how they could better support people living with dementia to access their businesses.
From 1 October, the Food Talent Pathway Project (FoodTaP) has continued the good work of SBTaPP and supports businesses of all sizes across Bristol, in any part of the food supply chain, to help them grow. FoodTaP will also help people looking for work in the food sector to gain qualifications and find employment. If you know a food-related business looking for support or somebody looking for work or qualifications in the food sector, please contact sam.porter@bristol.gov.uk.
