BUSINESSES are set to benefit from a pioneering new partnership between Exeter Business School and the Exeter Chamber.

Members of the Chamber will get 20 per cent off all courses run by the school, which is one of the biggest business training providers in Devon and part of Exeter College.

They will also get free training business needs analysis, advice on beating the credit crunch and a programme of breakfast seminars featuring guest speakers.

The initiative is being officially launched on July 16 at Exeter Business School, Victoria House, Queen Street.

Chris Lorimer, Exeter College’s Director of Business and Marketing, said: “We will be working in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and its members to provide and deliver high-quality training solutions and business to business activities to aid business growth.

“Our strength is that we deliver training that is flexible – reflecting the needs of both large and small organisations across all industry sectors – and backed by national and international industry standards. We also use the best training professionals in the marketplace.

“We can help businesses access Government-funded, bespoke training, ensuring quality and value for money, and with our scale and strategic objective to operate on a not-for-profit basis, Exeter Business School is of unbeatable value.”

Derek Phillips, Chairman of Exeter Chamber said: ‘We are extremely grateful to the Exeter Business School for offering this discount scheme to Chamber members. Training is a fundamental part of any business for advancing staff development, ensuring the workforce are knowledgeable and well practiced, keeping a company at the forefront of its industry and in turn providing a more effective service. It’s especially important for companies to have training and credit crunch advice at the tail end of the recession, when businesses are finding ways to build recovery.’

Exeter Business School was established in 2006 and is the employer engagement arm of Exeter College, actively working with employers across the South West.

It has a proven track record working with over 1,000 local employers, providing tailored short courses and industry-led, nationally-recognised vocational courses, together with apprenticeships, Train to Gain and work-based learning.