Business News Easing the crisis: Russell Jeans
Free memberships on offer for STEM start-up businesses
By John Lamb
Fifty free memberships of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) are being offered to start-up Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) firms, a sector which faces a critical skills shortage, following a donation by Millennium Point Charitable Trust. GBCC were successful in their
application to the charity arm of Millennium Point, in order to fund the offer aimed at STEM businesses which have been trading for less than a year.
‘A tremendous opportunity for young firms to get help and expertise to get their business off the ground’
In partnership with Millennium
Point, the 12-month GBCC Start-Up membership package will teach new STEM businesses essential skills and give them their first taste of networking in the city. In addition, the start-up members will have access to 50 complimentary member events, a 24-hour legal helpline, a listing in the GBCC member directory and a spotlight GBCC blog feature. Russell Jeans, chief operating
officer of the GBCC, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for young firms to get help and expertise to get their business off the ground. “Our partnership with Millennium
Point will allow STEM start-up businesses who wouldn’t usually have the opportunity to benefit from all the facilities at the Chamber, including tremendous contacts
through whom they will be able to publicise and grow their enterprises. The STEM sector generally is suffering a shortage of more than 170,000 skilled workers, costing them £1.5bn a year in recruitment, temporary staffing and extra training, according to a report. “Most STEM firms have found it
difficult to hire staff in the past year, with companies now having an average of 10 unfilled posts which has led to almost half of businesses looking to recruit qualified staff from overseas, according to the study by STEM Learning. “Although our offer is for start-
ups, it is aimed at easing this crisis. The shortage is a problem for employers, society and the economy, and we need to be in a better position to home-grow our talent. It cannot be left to the Government or schools alone – businesses have a crucial role to play too.” Abbie Vlahakis, finance director of
Millennium Point, said: “We hope that our donation to the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce will go some way to help new STEM businesses on their journeys and embed their position in the West Midlands. We are proud to be partnering with the Chambers to invest back into our region.” Funded memberships are limited
and will be allocated on a first- come, first-served basis. STEM start-ups can apply for one of the 50 free memberships by visiting
www.greaterbirminghamchambers. com/media/577114/mil-point- membership-application-form.pdf For further information contact MemberStartup@birmingham-
chamber.com GBCC annual memberships are
available for non-STEM organisations and are priced at £200+VAT.
October 2018 CHAMBERLINK 15
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