Rochford District Council is launching a new bursary scheme designed to help local businesses access the government-backed Help to Grow Management Course.
The full course is worth £7,500 and is 90% government funded, usually small to medium businesses (SMEs) would need to pay the remaining £750 per person. But Rochford District Council is offering to provide a bursary for the £750 course fee to help businesses attend for FREE. Up to 10 fully funded spaces are available for SMEs that meet the course criteria and are based in the Rochford District. Businesses employing between 10 and 249 people can nominate up to two participants.
The Help to Grow programme offers 50 hours of SME-specific learning, 10 hours of one-to-one mentoring and valuable peer networking opportunities. Delivered by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), the course is tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises and provides access to an exclusive alumni network.
The programme is aimed at business owners, leaders or senior managers from all sectors who meet the following criteria:
- Operate as an SME in the UK for at least one year
- Employ between 5 and 249 staff
- Be part of the senior leadership team with at least one direct report
- Commit to completing all sessions
The next course begins in Chelmsford on 9 January 2026, and spaces are limited.
This bursary scheme reflects the council’s commitment to supporting local economic growth and helping businesses develop the skills needed to thrive. This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Councillor Daniel Efde, Chair of the Economic Development, Regeneration and Tourism Committee at Rochford District Council, said: “This bursary demonstrates Rochford District Council’s commitment to empowering local businesses. By removing the financial barrier to the Help to Grow programme, SMEs in Rochford can access high-quality training and mentoring that will strengthen leadership skills and drive growth. This initiative is about investing in our business community and ensuring they have the tools to succeed in a competitive economy.”
For more information and to apply for Help to Grow, please visit the ARU website.