The Derry and Strabane Labour Market Partnership (DSLMP) are celebrating the successful delivery of a new business support programme to equip budding entrepreneurs with the skills to successfully set up their own business.
The Succeed in Enterprise programme was developed and delivered locally, with an emphasis on offering guidance and training to participants who have been unable to pursue the traditional employment route due to disability or personal circumstances.
Labour Market Partnerships, which create targeted employment action plans for council areas, are funded by the Department for Communities, and allow for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.
The Succeed in Enterprise programme was a key element of the LMP and was delivered in partnership with Enterprise North West and Strabane Enterprise Agency, drawing on their expertise in delivering successful business start-up and growth programmes.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, congratulated everyone who completed and delivered the course.
“The Succeed In Enterprise course was an ideal way to allow budding entrepreneurs to gain the skills to make their business idea a sustainable reality, particularly those who have had their employment opportunities restricted in the past due to their circumstances,” he said.
“Small and medium size businesses are a key pillar of our local economy, bringing business into the Council area and creating employment opportunities so it is important that we give them all the support they need to get their vision off the ground.
“The start-up phase of any business is a challenging and daunting period however the expert training and mentoring they have received will give them the best possible of chance of creating a sustainable service.”
Caolan Campbell, Contract Manager from Enterprise North West added: “Succeed In Enterprise was an excellent success, enabling 20 participants from across the Derry and Strabane District access professional business mentoring support, develop personal and business skills, access to various entrepreneurial skill focused workshops, develop a business plan and access financial assistance to aid participants on their respective entrepreneurial journeys.
“As a direct result of this programme, we immediately have had 11 people enter self-employment with a view of more entering in the coming months.
“Some of these participants have disabilities as well as other personal challenges which often prevents them from committing to the employment route.
“Some of the industries they have entered included tourism, personal care services, fitness, home maintenance, food and media to name a few.
“The programme gave people that hand-holding experience to instil confidence and I hope future initiatives like this gives more local people the confidence to consider the self-employment route by starting their own business and I look forward to seeing more business ideas coming to fruition through future similar programmes.”
A key priority for the Derry and Strabane Labour Market Partnership is to improve employability outcomes and labour market conditions locally.
“The Succeed in Enterprise programme aims to support local people who want to start a business but face a number of barriers to progressing through mainstream channels due to personal circumstances,” explained Council’s Labour Market Partnership Manager, Nicky Gilleece.
“By adapting to the needs of the participants we have opened up the prospect of business start-up and employment to more people across Derry and Strabane.
“Good luck to all the graduates of the programme, our Business Development team will be available to them for further guidance and support as they put their business plans into action in the months and years ahead.”
To find out more about other similar business support programmes please reach out to Enterprise North West (Email [email protected] or call 028 71352693) or Strabane Enterprise Agency ([email protected] or 028 7138 2518).
Tags: