Free advice on sustainability for Welsh businesses
A pioneering free initiative to help Welsh companies secure the long-term sustainability of their business is being run by experts at Swansea University.
The Professional Practice for Sustainable Development (PP4SD) initiative is a national project that is helping companies to improve their working practices and incorporate sustainability into all areas of their work.
Managed by a team in the University's School of the Environment and Society, PP4SD provides free training to aid business planning, and advises businesses on recent legislation affecting the farming, fisheries, aquaculture, and engineering sectors.
Companies in these sectors can also learn how to enhance their profitability, undertake more effective marketing, and become true innovators in their field.
Project Director Dr Jane Claricoates said: "If small businesses in Wales are to survive and prosper in the competitive global market, they need to incorporate sustainable practices such as energy efficiency, effective transport and logistics, and waste management into their business plans.
"The PP4SD initiative offers unprecedented support for businesses in this respect, providing structured, industry-specific training for companies, to assist them in arriving at their own practical solutions.
"Ultimately, these companies will become more cost-effective and will comply with legislation about the environment, health and safety, animal welfare, and employment."
James Wilson of Deepdock Ltd, Holyhead, is a mussel farmer who attended a recent PP4SD training event. He said: "This exciting project will help my understanding of the sustainability of my business, and will undoubtedly help others within this highly-competitive and developing industry."
A full programme of training sessions in already in operation throughout Wales. For further details about the PP4SD project in Wales, please contact the Project Administrator, Jan Morgan on +44 (0)1792 602655, email: j.w.morgan@swansea.ac.uk, or alternatively, visit the website.
The Swansea University PP4SD project is operated in partnership with Lantra (the Sector Skills Council advising the government on training for the land-based industries). PP4SD is funded by the European Union through the Welsh Assembly Government.
