We offer free business advice and support services for established businesses and those looking to start-up in Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay. Growth Hub Advisers have the resources to link you with business support programmes and organisations that can help you start, run or grow your business.
Somerset Start Up & Grow gives free, practical help to people starting or growing a business in Somerset. Funded by Somerset Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, you can get up to six hours with a local business advisor. We help with your plan, money, marketing, day-to-day running, new ideas and hiring. If you’re in the Somerset Council area and run a small or medium business (under 250 staff) — or you’re just getting started — you can join. Not sure if you’re eligible? Use the Council Checker or get in touch for a quick chat.
We are a family-owned construction and infrastructure company established since 1869.
We design, develop, build and preserve some of Britain’s most iconic buildings. We shape towns, cities, and landscapes and put the local community at the heart of everything we do.
Exciting career opportunities in Bridgwater, Somerset
Join our construction team delivering a state-of-the-art battery cell manufacturing facility for Agratas.
Skill Up Somerset are working with some local large employers who are willing to transfer their levy to smaller local employers, subject to certain criteria.
SBA CIC // Enterprise
Take initiative. Lead a programme. Level-up your business leadership. We’re here to support start up owners, existing businesses and employees in reaching for the stars.
SBA CIC // Education
We work with schools and other education establishments to deliver enterprising training, preparing students for the world of business. We also offer a range of courses, for those looking to upgrade their skills.
SBA CIC // Employment
The world of work just got more accessible. Build your confidence and get yourself employment-ready with our expert career guidance and skill development.
The Spark iT project helps Somerset residents who need help with digital skills and support. We set up Digital Cafés and drop-in centers in community spaces across the county. Our friendly volunteers, called Digital Champions, run these free events. They are open to everyone, no matter how old you are or how much you know about technology.
Employer-led Skills Bootcamps help businesses in Somerset and Dorset. They are for any business that wants to teach their current staff new skills or find new employees with special skills.
Discover new opportunities for your skills development through Employer-led Dorset and Somerset Skills Bootcamps
The Employment Hubs are a free employment support service covering Taunton, West Somerset, Wellington, Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea.
We provide a directory called Business Skills Sorted to help businesses find training and education options.
SWAPs help local people who are unemployed learn new skills for jobs in areas like care, construction, digital, and warehousing. They are run by Jobcentre Plus to help businesses find workers with the right skills.
Each SWAP lasts up to six weeks and includes:
Training: Learn skills that match what employers need.
Work Experience: Get hands-on practice and earn qualifications.
We have a directory called ‘Your Future Sorted’ that helps you find out about training and career options in Somerset.
Somerset Council offers an iPad loaning scheme. Members of selected Somerset Libraries (16 and over) can borrow a device for up to six weeks free of charge
We help people with their problems by giving free, independent advice. We offer support online, over the phone, and in person. We help with many issues like consumer rights, pensions, and court support.
CHARIS and Somerset County Council have set up Welcome Hubs in Somerset. These hubs help refugees, asylum seekers, and their sponsors by providing support and information.
Skills Elevators are tools that show you different job roles and what you need to do those jobs. They help you see the skills and behaviors needed for each job. Skills Elevators also give you information on where to get support, and find colleges or apprenticeships to help you learn and start your career.
Seetec Pluss is a leading provider of work and wellbeing services that inspires thousands of people to find and progress in work each year.
Together with Pluss, our specialist social enterprise, we empower people to discover and realise their unique potential.
This programme is designed to help Somerset’s small and medium (SME) businesses learn from our experienced business leaders and serial entrepreneurs. They will share their knowledge on accelerating business development, making better strategic decisions, being more productive and ultimately growing your business.
This information is for Somerset residents to help you progress with your NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) to EET journey.
Learn about the different degree-level qualifications available in Somerset, like Degree Apprenticeships and other higher education options.
The ASK program helps schools and colleges across England with apprenticeships. It is funded by the National Apprenticeship Service, which is part of the Department for Education. The program provides free support to help students learn about and understand apprenticeships better.
Local authorities have several duties to make sure that all children are kept safe and have access to suitable, full-time education, including those that are home educated.
Information on the education and training options available for young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)
Padlet is our online noticeboard where you can find resources, opportunities, training and guidance.
Somerset Education Business Partnership connects employers with education providers so that young people are aware of local career opportunities and develop the skills needed to thrive at work.
We work with every state-funded secondary school, special educational needs school, alternative provision & post 16 college, helping them to link with local employers to deliver high quality careers support for students.
Service Wide range of courses designed for adults aged 19+ to develop new interests, build confidence and increase their skills, knowledge, and employability.
Courses include engaging families through nature conservation, building financial resilience, developing essential skills to promote inclusion for refugees, community enterprise, health and wellbeing, essential skills including maths, English and digital skills and confidence building.
Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network Ltd (DSTPN) is a company limited by guarantee with a membership consisting of fee-paying members who are training organisations, colleges, employers and stakeholder bodies working in the post-16 education and training sector.
Lead and coordinate work with young people, families, local employers, schools, colleges and support agencies in order to secure supported employment opportunities and outcomes for our young people with SEND in Somerset.
Level 6 trained, impartial and independent specialist careers advice and guidance. Working with a vast number of young people and families, providing careers advice and guidance, developing careers opportunities, delivering workshops and raising aspirations in specialist schools, alternative provision, colleges and the like.
Providing young people with opportunities and choice to have their best life and reach their full potential.
Coordination of the strategic response to redundancy for businesses.
Helping businesses plan and manage when they need to reduce staff.
The Somerset Work Experience Partnership helps schools with work experience for students. We have a list of job placements, check that they are safe, and provide schools with the resources and paperwork needed. We make sure work experience is safe, exciting, and useful for everyone.
The Multiply programme is for all adults aged 19 and over (no upper age limit) and aims to help adults without level 2 in maths to improve their numeracy confidence and skills in daily life, at home and work. This can lead to progression into qualifications, better employment or further training opportunities and wellbeing.
We are a not-for-profit organisation that offers free, impartial Apprenticeship and skills advisory services to Somerset people and businesses.
