Grow your Business
Discover new opportunities in North Wales to grow your business from accessing funding to recruiting and developing staff.
Recruit Staff
Looking to recruit? Explore free recruitment options available on your doorstep.
From recruiting through traditional methods such as adverts on jobs boards to opting for alternative methods such as utilising employability programmes, there are tailored options available to you as an employer!
Develop Staff
Upskilling your workforce is straightforward with the support of local providers. Training programmes are designed to be flexible, catering to the specific needs of businesses.
Benefits of Skills Development
- Enhanced Productivity: Skilled employees are more efficient and effective.
- Employee Retention: Investing in staff development increases job satisfaction and loyalty.
- Business Growth: A skilled workforce drives innovation and competitiveness.
Retain Staff
In today’s challenging job market, with numerous vacancies and fewer job seekers, retaining staff has never been more crucial. Replacing an employee can cost between 6-9 months’ salary costs, making it essential to focus on keeping your current team.
Often employees leave because they don’t see a path for growth, there are plenty of opportunities to support staff to achieve their potential in North Wales.
Funding opportunities
Business Start Up
Skills, Training and Recruitment
Business funding
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Development Bank of Wales | Micro Loans
Development Bank of Wales provide micro loans from £1,000 to £100,000 for start-up growth funding to help you get off the ground or support your early years. If you’re looking for finance to launch your business then a personal cash contribution is usually required. Whatever sector you’re going into, start up loans can help you cover the setup costs.
Find out moreBig Ideas Wales | Young Person’s Start Up Grant
The Young Person’s Start Up Grant will enable young people not in education, employment or training to start their own business, create a social enterprise, become self-employed, a freelancer or social entrepreneur in Wales. A grant of up to £2,000 is available to help young people starting a business. To ensure the business has the best possible chance to succeed, the grant will be available alongside a package of support that will include one-to-one advice, webinars to build confidence in business practices and develop plans for starting a business.
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DWP Youth Jobs Grant
The Youth Jobs Grant supports employers in Wales to create jobs for 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for 6+ months. Eligible organisations (of any size, registered with HMRC and actively trading) can receive up to £3,000 per role, paid in stages. Roles must be at least 25 hours per week, last 4+ months, pay minimum wage, and be genuine new positions. Employers apply once via Find a Grant, then can submit vacancies if approved.
Find out moreFlexible Skills Fund – Digital & AI
The Flexible Skills Programme by Business Wales offers enhanced funding support to businesses in Wales to help address advanced digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills gaps and upskill their workforce in areas such as software and web development, data analytics, cyber security, technology project management, and AI-specific skills including machine learning, natural language processing, and AI deployment. All approved training courses under this pathway will attract a 75% contribution towards the total eligible costs from the Welsh Government and requires businesses to be based in Wales, solvent, and committed to completing training by March 2027.
Find out morePersonal Learning Account (PLA)
Are you over 19 and living in Wales, earning under *£34,303 a year and looking to develop a career in a priority sector? Personal Learning Accounts provide flexible and fully funded learning, either online or face to face or a combination of both. *There is no earning cap of £34,303 on approved courses or qualifications in digital or green skills.
Find out moreFlexible Skills Fund
The Flexible Skills Programme by Business Wales offers funding support to businesses in Wales to help address skills gaps and upskill their workforce targeting Leadership and Management, Exporting Skills, Engineering and Manufacturing, Creative Sector, Net Zero Challenges, and Tourism and Hospitality All approved training courses will attract a 50% contribution towards the total eligible costs from the Welsh Government and requires businesses to be based in Wales, solvent, and committed to completing training by March 2027.
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Ambition North Wales Advanced Wireless Technology Grant
Funding for North Wales organisations to invest in advanced wireless technologies like 5G, Wi‑Fi and IoT to improve productivity. Grants support capital costs for implementing projects, with at least 50% match funding required. Open to all sectors, applicants must operate in North Wales, deliver projects locally, and show benefits such as job creation and economic impact
Find out moreAmbition North Wales Clean Energy Fund
Funding is available in North Wales to help businesses and community organisations invest in clean energy and decarbonisation projects, with the aim of reducing costs, improving efficiency and creating new opportunities. Examples of eligible projects include Renewable energy generation and infrastructure, Smart energy solutions including storage, Energy efficiency, decarbonisation and retrofit, Manufacturing and supply chain opportunities.
Find out moreDevelopment Bank of Wales | Large Business Loans
Whether you need finance to improve working capital, accelerate growth, or buy a business, there are loans that can be tailored to fit your requirements. With local account managers providing face-to-face contact and ongoing support, they ensure they understand your business’ specific needs and help you to achieve your potential. They can combine loans and equity finance, and work alongside other finance providers (banks, crowdfunders, grants, investors and other lenders) to provide a bespoke funding package for your business.
Find out moreDevelopment Bank of Wales | Green Business Loan Scheme
Whether you’re just starting or continuing your business’s decarbonisation journey, the Green Business Loan Scheme offers an incentivised funding package to support your business. Loans from £1,000 to £1.5m are available, as well as expert advice and funding for energy consultancy.
Find out moreBusiness Start Up
Skills, Training and Recruitment
Business funding
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Send a message to our team at helo@portal-gogledd.cymru
How can I get involved?
How do I use the North Wales Skills Portal?