Training advice

I was made redundant from my teaching job at the end of August and to date haven't found anything else to apply for, I am also the admin wing of Pembroke Gardening Services.
Fortunately we live in Wales and I can therefore claim React funding which provides for £1.5k of training. I've filled in the forms for Lantra training in Brushcutters/Trimmers, Hedge cutters, Pedestrian mowers, Ride on mowers plus First Aid and Trailer training but this only comes to £750. If you had £750 what would you get trained in to grow/ diversify your business?
The React funding has two parts and I'm investigating whether if he employed me we can claim for a further £1k of training and a wage subsidy.
Thanks for reading.

Looks like you have identified a number of good practical courses to go on, however not knowing your backgrounds - could it be worth investing in some business training or mentoring, depending where you want to go with your business? Would agree with Craig's suggestion as well.

There still seem to be a number Enterprise Trusts, grants & training still available in England, so assume/hope the same is true in Wales. It was some of the best use of money in my early days - I still belong to Enterprise First - take a look at what they offer in my region - once on the page, click on calendar.

For instance, in Feb they are running a Marketing 1/2 day for £35:

"Finding customers is a constant challenge for most businesses and many will spend £1000's without ever knowing if they received value for money.

This workshop will focus on the various methods of advertising and help you to identify your customer, target your marketing accordingly and how to measure its success!

Topics include:

Media Choices
Getting free publicity and using PR
Creating advertising with Impact
Writing effective Direct Mail
Understanding the difference between customer Needs and Wants
Your Marketing Plan

- See more at: http://www.enterprisefirst.co.uk"

Replies

Geoff Norfolk January 25, 2014 at 11:18am

Definitely a spraying course for herbicides etc and perhaps a chainsaw course (with certification for both) Is there anything for machinery maintenance etc?
PRO

Craig McGinty January 25, 2014 at 11:46am

Marketing and promotion techniques, if there is one thing that comes up on the forum practically every week it is how to get new customers.

Whether it be flyers, advertising, websites or things like Facebook and Twitter the way that businesses get new customers, and keep existing ones, has rapidly changed in just the past few years.
David Grimes January 25, 2014 at 12:20pm

agree with Geoff spray course
Pembroke Gardening Services January 25, 2014 at 12:30pm

Mmm hubby already has PA1 and PA6, and CS30 and CS31. I'm a bit feeble and don't think I could cope with chainsaws :-)
The marketing idea is a good one, I'll have to investigate.
Thanks guys
PRO
Gary RK January 25, 2014 at 2:45pm
Looks like you have identified a number of good practical courses to go on, however not knowing your backgrounds - could it be worth investing in some business training or mentoring, depending where you want to go with your business? Would agree with Craig's suggestion as well.

There still seem to be a number Enterprise Trusts, grants & training still available in England, so assume/hope the same is true in Wales. It was some of the best use of money in my early days - I still belong to Enterprise First - take a look at what they offer in my region - once on the page, click on calendar.

For instance, in Feb they are running a Marketing 1/2 day for £35:

"Finding customers is a constant challenge for most businesses and many will spend £1000's without ever knowing if they received value for money.

This workshop will focus on the various methods of advertising and help you to identify your customer, target your marketing accordingly and how to measure its success!

Topics include:
Media Choices

Getting free publicity and using PR

Creating advertising with Impact

Writing effective Direct Mail

Understanding the difference between customer Needs and Wants

Your Marketing Plan
- See more at: http://www.enterprisefirst.co.uk"