A winter wage subsidy for tourism workers in Llandudno has launched.
The new ‘Retain to Innovate’ scheme is designed to help with the retention of seasonal employees or the early recruitment of employees to prepare for summer 2022.
It would see the incomes of staff supported during the off season to keep people employed all year-round.
Both the businesses - which have to be based in the town - and the subsidised employees will be required to undertake a short innovation project to support and benefit the businesses' future activities.
The project states: "Receive funding to enable retention of a seasonal worker who would normally be released from duty ‘out of season’ or recruit staff early to prepare for Summer 2022 season
"Benefit your individual business by developing and implementing an innovative project that creates a permanent, positive change to the effectiveness of any part of your operations."
The scheme is part of the brand new Llandudno Tourism Innovation Hub that received £825,000 from the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.
This project, in partnership with Mostyn Estates, aims to "inspire, motivate and create" innovation in tourism in Llandudno.
In addition to the wage subsidy there is also a series of workshops, masterclasses and training opportunities and 'pop-up' subsidised retail, office and/or light industrial space made available by Mostyn Estates to pilot new ventures.
As part of the launch of the new scheme, Busnes@LlandrilloMenai will be hosting online briefing and information sessions:
- Wednesday 2nd February, 10.30 to 11.30am
- Wednesday 9th February,10:30 to 11:30am
The information sessions will run through the application process, eligibility criteria and the documentation required to support an application.
Gary Jones, regional projects manager, said: “Supporting innovation within the tourism sector in Llandudno is at the heart of the project. ‘Retain to Innovate’ aims to improve the employment prospects of employees within the sector and also allows businesses to focus on innovating their business model in the quieter months.”
There are limited funds available. Applications are subject to consideration by a panel and screening against specific criteria.
Visit www.gllm.ac.uk/busnes/projects to find out more or contact Andrew Thomas, Project Officer, on 08445 460 460 or email athomas@gllm.ac.uk