BOLTON'S ethnic community has been given a helping hand to compete for public sector contracts from Bolton Council.

As part of "best value" rules, the council has to put contracts out to tender and award the most suitable contractor the job.

But now the computer revolution has come to tendering and businesses need electronic systems which can link into the contract system.

To help get firms up to speed, workshops were organised by the council's Ethnic Minorities Business Service to give people practical guidance on how businesses could improve their turnover through tendering.

Guidance was also given on how businesses can apply to become an approved supplier for local authorities and other public sector organisations.

Council leader Cllr Barbara Ronson, who is executive member for corporate resources, said: "The tendering process can be daunting for a company new to the public sector .

"These workshops gave people a good insight into the systems and IT infrastructure they need to have to enable them to submit tenders.

"The council is responsible for ploughing a tremendous amount of money into the local economy and we do like to deal with local companies where possible.

"Getting our local ethnic firms involved in this way sets out exactly what is required of them."

Mohammed Saeed, who attended the workshops, said: "I have tendered to supply goods in the past but this has been extremely beneficial and enlightening as the computerised system of tendering was explained really well.

"I am looking forward to working with the Ethnic Minorities Business Service to help my business grow."

Future seminars hosted by the Ethnic Minorities Business Service will include health and safety, insurance cover and handling claims, customer care, and an introduction to the internet and e-commerce.

For more information, contact Mudasir Dean on 01204 336149.