Budding entrepreneurs can receive free business skills training from Gibbs & Dandy.

The builders’ merchant has set up a scheme that offers training and support to its customers who run their own business.

The Entrepreneurship Foundation will cover skills such as finance, team management, marketing and social media. Delegates will also be provided with a senior-level mentor from Gibbs & Dandy’s parent company Saint-Gobain.

To be eligible for the scheme, participants must be recommended by the Gibbs & Dandy sales team, have been trading with Gibbs for three months or more and run a limited company.

The Foundation will have a year’s trial. Customers will be asked to provide feedback its development, with a view to it being established as an annual scheme.

Managing Director Neil Lawrence said: “At Gibbs & Dandy we are passionate about supporting enthusiastic, hard-working tradespeople to improve their skillset and move forward in their careers. They are the future of our industry and this scheme will provide them with the tools they need to flourish.

“We look forward to seeing our customers and their businesses thrive as they progress through the scheme.”