SMALL and medium sized businesses are being offered free training in how to improve their productivity through better data management and cyber security.

BCP Council is looking for 300 SMEs from across Dorset to take part in its CYBERWeLL programme – and those which follow the entire course will have a chance to win free specialist consultancy and Cyber Essentials certification.

Organisers say the businesses taking part will help them identify and measure factors which affect productivity and business growth. Data will be used to ascertain the best way to teach SMEs, who are often short of time and assume their growth is not linked to cyber and data compliance.

The programme runs from February to June and businesses which sign up now will have a chance to win a three or four night stay at Bournemouth’s beach lodges.

Cllr Mark Howell, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and culture, said: “SMEs are a vital part of our economy and we are pleased to be offering this training not just to businesses within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area, but to SMEs from across the wider Dorset business community.

“If you represent a small to medium sized business, within our thriving local economy, I encourage you to take part and support this innovative programme.’’

The programme is being delivered by BCP Council, in partnership with LiMETOOLS Ltd, Bournemouth University and Dorset Cyber Alliance. It follows a successful funding application for £220,697 from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The government’s Business Basics Fund aims to boost business productivity across the UK. BCP Council were helped in the successful application by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership’s Bid Writing Service.

For more information and to take part, visit cyberwell.co.uk.