Enterprise Causeway is offering budding entrepreneurs and those who want to improve their employability prospects the chance to do so through its free Exploring Enterprise Programme.
Open to those who are unemployed, or working less than 16 hours per week, the Exploring Enterprise Programme helps participants assess business ideas and job opportunities through group training and individual mentoring.
The course aims to help increase confidence, create a personal development plan and explore either the possibility of starting a business or a new job.
Leo Mullan, Business Advisor at Enterprise Causeway, said the programme has already proved to be hugely beneficial for many people.
Commenting on the course Leo Mullan stated: “Over the past number of years we have had some wonderful success stories, with participants on the programme starting businesses in nearly every industry sector and other participants finding employment.”
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Mr.Mullan also added: “You do not need to have a business idea to join the programme and all learning takes place in an open, non-threatening environment.”
Running over six sessions in total, two mornings per week (Tuesday and Thursday) participants can work towards achieving a qualification in Business Enterprise.
Participants will gain an understanding of the concepts involved in starting a business, an insight into marketing a new business and a grasp of key finance principles.
Participants can also expect help developing their CVs, writing job applications and searching for further education/training courses
Previous participant, Robert Wiggins of Wee Jeans Café in Coleraine, said he had initially intended to go on the course to learn key financial skills but the Exploring Enterprise Programme offered much more.
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Speaking about his experience Mr. Wiggins said: “One skill that I learnt that was a big help was advertising and management skills. It also helped me bring me out of my shell because you were in a group with people, you got to talk to them and find out different opportunities that they were doing, and some of them were interchangeable and over the course we were able to help each other out.”
After working for seven years in both England and Northern Ireland, physiotherapist Brianne O'Neill decided to set up her own business after taking part in the course.
Commenting on her time in the course Brianne said: “I enrolled on the Exploring Enterprise programme after meeting with a business advisor at Enterprise Causeway and it has helped me to develop my business, marketing and financial skills.”
The Exploring Enterprise Programme is funded through the Northern Ireland Social Fund 2014-2020, Investment for Jobs and Growth Programme, The Department for the Economy, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council and Enterprise Northern Ireland.
Source: Written from press release.
