Get information about our TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS and ELIGIBILITY.
» How to apply
NTI smashes targets
04/04/2007
East Midlands NTI has smashed its targets over the past financial year.
Under its East Midlands Development Agency (emda) contract, NTI was required to assist 170 people in the region with skills development. They achieved a massive 594. It is a similar story of success with helping to improve business performance – the target was 100 and NTI worked with 169 companies.
Demand for new technology has rapidly increased since NTI was launched three years ago, says executive director, Hilary Whaley who points to the recent allocation of extra capital funds to cope with the sheer volume of applications.
NTI was initially allocated £400,000 for grants but, on realising the strength of demand for high quality investment, emda provided a further £75,000 for distribution to small and medium sized companies.
To date NTI has awarded over £478,000 in grants for companies to invest in new technology, with applications for a further £80,000 already in the pipeline.
Hilary Whaley says the figures are an indication of the determination of local business people to become more competitive through advanced technology: “NTI’s formula of funding, training and non bureaucratic approach scores highly with small and medium sized businesses.
“They quickly realise that access to the region’s leading universities and colleges is also a huge plus, providing them with a unique blend of expertise including new product development, advanced skills training and higher education options.
“But, as well as the statistical examples of the NTI achievements, we regularly receive feedback from companies who have benefited from less calculable effects of being linked with the NTI – access to the NTI funded industry specialist equipment and the amazing resources of knowledge held within the education institutions.”
John O'Reilly, Director of Business Support at East Midlands Development Agency, said: “The transfer of knowledge from universities and colleges in the region to SMEs is a key component in the Regional Economic Strategy. The commercial application of this expertise enables businesses to innovate, grow and maintain competitiveness. Developing skills in businesses is vital to the prosperity of the region. The NTI grants programme helps put this strategy into action.”
Generic
Standard