Latest news with #ContinuingProfessionalDevelopment
Wales Online
25-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
New initiative will 'help small businesses unlock the financial benefits of sustainability'
New initiative will 'help small businesses unlock the financial benefits of sustainability' The Green Growth Programme is a free programme aimed at equipping small business owners with the knowledge and tools to understand how sustainability can boost the bottom line Nisha Ravat, Founder of Green Tomato, says sustainability is a powerful foundation for growth A new programme designed to help small businesses unlock the financial benefits of sustainability has been announced by Small Business Britain, in partnership with BT. The Green Growth Programme is a free, six-week, CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certified online course starting in September, aimed at equipping small business owners with the knowledge and tools to understand how sustainability can boost the bottom line. The launch follows the final report from the Government-backed Willow Review, which highlights a significant economic opportunity for UK SMEs through greener practices. New research from the Willow Review - which surveyed small businesses benefitting from sustainability - found that two thirds (67%) of SMEs reported reduced operational costs, with over half attracting new customers and a third (35%) seeing improved customer loyalty. Despite this, adoption of green practices remains limited due to barriers including upfront costs, limited knowledge, and a lack of support and training. The Green Growth Programme aims to address this gap directly. 'There is clear evidence that sustainability drives business growth,' said Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain and Co-Chair of the Willow Review. Article continues below 'This programme gives small firms the tools, insights, and real-life inspiration they need to take action and grow their business. By embedding sustainability into their operations, small businesses can grow with purpose and also reap tangible financial rewards.' With 5.45 million small businesses in the UK making up 99% of UK firms and nearly half of all business emissions, the stakes are high, but so is the potential for change. The Green Growth Programme recognises the crucial role SMEs play in the transition to a greener economy, and the significant opportunities it can unlock for them. Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain, with entrepreneurs at the launch of the Willow Review final report. The Green Growth Programme feeds into the Review's call for expanded green skills training across the UK; photo: David Madden 'We know that small businesses want to go green, but often feel overwhelmed or unsupported, making it difficult for them to start their sustainability journey,' said Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, UK Business at BT. 'This programme offers targeted, accessible training to help small firms navigate and implement sustainability, showing how changes like cutting energy consumption and attracting eco-conscious customers can drive real commercial success.' Starting on 18 September, the programme will showcase expert-led modules on how sustainability can drive savings and boost resilience, offering practical, low-cost actions that deliver quick results. Article continues below Participants will also explore how AI and digital tools can streamline operations, discover how to attract and retain customers through sustainable branding, learn where to access green finance, and build a clear plan for long-term sustainable growth. Marinela Caldarus, Founder of Art Group Classes, is actively integrating sustainability into her businesses' programmes, and says, 'Sustainability has not only helped us cut operational costs but also inspired new ways of working, from eco-conscious materials to community-led projects. Programmes like this are invaluable, offering the support and insight needed to grow responsibly while staying true to our creative mission.' Small businesses can learn more about the Green Growth Programme and sign up here.
Daily Express
29-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
SME Sabah, IEM emphasise cross-sector partnerships
Published on: Thursday, May 29, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 29, 2025 Text Size: IEM Sabah vice chairman Ir. Ts. Tan KJ, JP (fourth left) presenting a memento to SME Sabah president Dr Deledda Tan. Kota Kinabalu: The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Sabah (SME Sabah) and the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sabah Branch reinforced their collaboration on Wednesday with a shared focus on enhancing innovation and technical expertise across Sabah's business and engineering sectors. This was expressed during SME Sabah's courtesy visit to IEM Sabah Branch at its office in Damai Point, a meeting that emphasised the important role of cross-sector partnerships in driving sustainable development. Attendees included senior leaders from SME Sabah led by its President Dr Deledda Tan, IEM Sabah led by Vice Chairman I Tan Kok Jyh and ACEM Sabah led by Chairman Benny Song Perng Yeu, signalling a united push toward innovation-driven progress. A key outcome was IEM Sabah's official endorsement of SME Sabah's upcoming SME Conference, along with the approval of 6.5 Continuing Professional Development points for engineers in attendance, a testament to the event's value in professional upskilling. The session concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing optimism for long-term engagement to boost the development of local industries through strategic collaboration between SMEs and the engineering sector. The SME Conference, a flagship event of SME Sabah, is expected to bring together professionals, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to discuss growth strategies, innovation, and sustainability. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
28-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
SME Sabah, IEM Sabah strengthen ties to boost innovation and technical collaboration
IEM Sabah vice chairman Ir. Ts. Tan KJ, JP (fourth left) presenting a memento to SME Sabah president Dr Deledda Tan. KOTA KINABALU (May 28): The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Sabah (SME Sabah) paid a courtesy visit to the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sabah Branch at its office in Damai Point, Kota Kinabalu, to foster closer collaboration between the SME and engineering communities in Sabah. The meeting, held at 10:30am on Wednesday, featured a formal introduction to SME Sabah, a briefing on the upcoming SME Sabah Conference, and an engaging discussion on potential areas for collaboration, especially in innovation, technical capacity building and industry engagement. Notably, IEM Sabah has officially acknowledged and endorsed the conference, further underlining its commitment to cross-sector partnership and professional development. In support of this initiative, IEM Sabah has approved 6.5 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points for engineers who attend the upcoming conference, offering a valuable opportunity for professional enrichment. Present at the meeting from IEM Sabah were Ir. Ts. Tan Kok Jyh, JP – Vice Chairman I; Ir. Paul Yap Kok Wai – Vice Chairman II; Ir. Wong Chen Jack – Honorary Treasurer; Ir. Andrew Amaladoss – Co-opted Member; Ag. Khairul Akmal bin Kamaludin – IPC Representative, YES From ACEM Sabah: Ir. Benny Song Perng Yeu – Chairman and Ir. Wah Kheng How – Deputy Chairman. SME Sabah: Dr Deledda Tan – President; Ir. Chia Khuin Fung – Vice President; Fenny Yapp – Project Secretary; Caleb Tseu – Working Committee Member. The session concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing optimism for long-term engagement to boost the development of local industries through strategic collaboration between SMEs and the engineering sector. The SME Sabah Conference, a flagship event of SME Sabah, is expected to bring together professionals, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to discuss growth strategies, innovation, and sustainability.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Anwar calls for bold education reforms ahead of 13th Malaysia Plan
Photo courtesy of Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia. KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised the need for bold and comprehensive reforms in developing Malaysia's new education strategy ahead of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). The Prime Minister, in a Facebook post Wednesday (May 7) night, said that existing policies must be reviewed and refreshed to ensure every ringgit invested through 13MP yields a more equitable, forward-looking and sustainable education system to secure a more prosperous and harmonious future for the country. Earlier, the Prime Minister received a courtesy call from Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and the ministry's top management to discuss new strategies and direction for education. "Among the issues discussed were preschool education, teacher training and skills enhancement at teacher education institutes, the implementation of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as a means to empower educators, and strengthening STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to boost future competitiveness. "Also discussed were Form Six and matriculation studies, student dropout issues, teaching permits in both the public and private sectors, and the need to reorganise the National Education Master Plan to better align with current needs," Anwar said in the post. He also expressed hope for the immediate implementation of discussed reforms for the future of students, educators and Malaysia's educational ecosystem. "The world is changing rapidly and we cannot afford to be complacent, trapped in past nostalgia or shackled by outdated plans that may no longer be relevant," he added. - Bernama
