MDX offers post-Covid-19 masterclasses for Barnet-based micro businesses

The exciting project is set to include a series of 10 masterclasses, a public Ted-talk style event and internships for students

Middlesex University is running masterclass courses for micro businesses in the borough of Barnet to help them bounce back after Covid-19.

Barnet Council has been given funding from the government’s Additional Restrictions Grant to support Barnet-based businesses with a range of courses and support services following the pandemic.

As part of this initiative, MDX academics will be offering 10 Continual Professional Development (CPD) masterclasses to the owners and senior managers of Barnet-based micro businesses, which are classed as small businesses that typically employ less than ten people.

"The pandemic must have been a very difficult time for these micro businesses and we’re confident our courses will help them adapt, grow and rise to the challenges and opportunities in the post-Covid environment," Alan Stuart, Director of Careers and Employability at Middlesex University.

The University’s Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research (CEEDR) has conducted a process of consultation with local stakeholders and surveyed around 500 Barnet-based micro businesses to establish the level of help they need with recruitment, technology, marketing or growth strategies among others  and then MDX academics will tailor the courses to tackle the issues identified.

The Barnet Micro-Business Growth Programme would likely include advice on financial management, legal basics, digital and social marketing, sustainable business and ethical issues.

Later this year, a minimum of 50 paid six-week internships are set to be offered to final year degree students at MDX in subjects such as business management, cyber security and digital media who will work with the micro businesses to implement changes.

A TED-talk style public event with micro businesses and featuring different speakers is also due to be held at the Hendon campus.

Alan Stuart, Director of Careers and Employability at Middlesex University, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Barnet to help micro businesses. The pandemic must have been a very difficult time for these micro businesses and we’re confident our courses will help them adapt, grow and rise to the challenges and opportunities in the post-Covid environment.

“It also provides a unique opportunity for local micro-businesses to tap into the dynamic and innovative mindsets and skills of our MDX graduates who will support implementation of learnings from the CPD courses into the businesses.

“We are very keen to hear from as many local micro businesses as possible and would be delighted if they could get in touch.”

Dr Leandro Sepulveda Ramirez, Associate Professor of Socioeconomic Development at CEEDR, said: “We are delighted to be invited to conduct high quality research for Barnet Council, especially if this supports local micro-businesses and the local economy.”

Find out more about the Barnet Micro-Business Growth Programme and the work of CEEDR.