Self Employment

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The aim of the programme is to enable participants to establish their self-employment businesses and give them an opportunity to test trade. The training concentrates on the skills necessary to start and run a new business; it applies to anyone considering self-employment irrespective of the nature of the business.

The support will be in 2 stages:

Stage 1: Getting Started- 16 weeks

Participants will be given 16-weeks of intensive one-to-one training support from an experienced business trainer, to enable them to establish their self-employment business and give them an opportunity to ‘test trade’.

One-to-one support will be provided for at least one hour per week and tailored to suit the participant. Initially, face to face meetings will be required, but as the trainer and participant get to know each other, and as self-employment training progresses successfully, these meetings may take the form of phone calls or cloud-based video conferencing.

During Stage 1, a participant will be helped to register their business, open a business bank account, obtain relevant licences and insurances, complete a Business Plan and undertake any specific skills training, such as accounting and record keeping, marketing, e-business, social networking for business etc. Any grant and/or loan funding applications will be completed, as will signposting to any relevant partner agencies for free, specific support.

In addition to the one-to-one training support, the participant will be expected to attend a range of  business skills training sessions,(face-to-face or webinars) each lasting around 90 minutes. These sessions will be group sessions, and cover the skills necessary to start and run a new business – Facebook for business, Instagram for business, book keeping, selling skills, e-commerce, employing people etc.

A Business Support Grant up to a maximum value of £250 will be available. This could be used by participants to purchase any tools, equipment or marketing materials to assist them in the start-up of their business.

Stage 2: Mentoring & Support – 52 weeks                                                                                             

Stage 2 will be a mentoring and support programme, facilitating participants in achieving sustained self-employment. It is our aim that participants remain in self-employment for at least 52 weeks after their initial 16 weeks of one-to-one support.

Mentoring meetings will be arranged every 2 weeks, dependant on the needs of the participant. The BDA trainer will utilise these meetings to offer further support, particularly with HMRC compliance, record-keeping; registering for Class 2 National Insurance and preparing for Self-Assessment.