Building Skills, Supporting Business: Investing in Our Business Community
Five fully funded workplace training workshops supported 48 participants from 13 businesses at Portview Trade Centre, thanks to Urban Villages capacity-building funding from The Executive Office.
Building Skills, Supporting Business: Investing in Our Business Community
Portview Trade Centre has successfully delivered a programme of practical workplace training, supporting 48 participants from 13 different businesses through five workshops funded by Urban Villages, an initiative of The Executive Office.
As a social enterprise supporting a diverse community of independent businesses, Portview recognises that access to affordable, relevant training is an important part of helping small businesses develop, operate safely and build long-term resilience.
Through Urban Villages capacity-building funding, Portview provided fully funded, in-person training opportunities designed to address the everyday needs of small business owners, employees and organisations based at the centre.
Practical Skills for Everyday Business
The programme delivered five workshops across the following training subjects:
First Aid at Work – practical skills to respond to workplace emergencies.
Health and Safety at Work – understanding responsibilities and maintaining safe working environments.
Safeguarding Children and Adults – recognising concerns and responding appropriately.
Fire Warden Training – improving fire safety knowledge, emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures.
All workshops were delivered on-site at Portview Trade Centre, making training accessible and convenient while removing the financial barriers often associated with external provision.
Supporting 13 Local Businesses
The programme brought together 52 participants representing 13 different businesses. By coordinating training collectively, Portview provided opportunities that individual businesses might otherwise find difficult or costly to arrange independently. The sessions also enabled employees and business owners to connect and share experiences across the centre.
Building Capacity Beyond Workspace
Portview’s role extends beyond providing affordable workspace. As a charity-owned social enterprise operating from the former Strand Spinning Mill in East Belfast, we are committed to creating an environment where independent businesses can establish themselves, develop and thrive. Investing in people and skills is central to that ambition.
Supported by Urban Villages
The training programme was made possible through capacity-building funding from Urban Villages, an initiative of The Executive Office. This support enabled Portview to deliver practical, accessible training directly to its business community, strengthening local enterprise and organisational capacity in East Belfast.
Portview will continue to identify opportunities for training, collaboration and professional development, ensuring that our business community benefits not only from the spaces we provide, but also from the connections, knowledge and opportunities we help create.
