Develop your own business through the Enterprise Pathways Programme

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is now recruiting for its innovative Enterprise Pathways Programme – aimed at unemployed residents who have an idea for a new business and want to discover how to turn that idea into reality.

The Enterprise Pathways Programme helps MEA residents furthest removed from the labour market to create their own job through self-employment.  Participants will receive expert advice over a period of up to 6 months to identify, explore and test business ideas, develop enterprise and personal skills, build networks, test trade, start and grow a business, as well as access ‘get started’ funding.

Each participant is matched with a Skills Coach/Business Mentor and will benefit from up to 15 hours of 1:2:1 bespoke support to help realise their personal goals. 

Enterprise Pathways is provided under ‘Go Succeed’ a free enterprise support service, delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils and funded by the UK Government.

Enterprise Pathways will prioritise applications from those in most need of enhanced support, including people with disabilities/long-term health conditions and those with caring responsibilities.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE, said: “The Enterprise Pathways Programme is the perfect chance for people across the Borough to get the advice, support and guidance they need to kick start their new career and see it thrive.

“I would encourage anyone who feels this course would help launch their business idea to get in touch and sign-up.”

Oran Dorman owner of Dorman’s Driving School participated in the programme last year, he adds: “Joining the Enterprise Pathways Programme was a turning point for me, especially after facing a period of unemployment due to an injury at work. With the help from my business advisor and skills coach, I have been able to achieve my goal of establishing Dorman’s Driving School.

“After being successful with my application to the ‘Get Started Fund’ I have been able to make essential purchases which I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise – such as car signage, software systems, industry registration, safety equipment and technology to help me operate the business.

“Having a dedicated mentor working with me throughout this journey really helped me get started on the right foot. Their guidance and expertise helped me avoid potential mistakes and made me think about new ways to grow the business in the future.

“Thanks to the support from the programme, Dorman’s Driving School is now an established business. I am very grateful for the opportunities and help I got from the Enterprise Pathways Programme.”

To be eligible, applicants must:

•             Be unemployed MEA residents with the right to work in the UK

•             Have the desire to start a business in the next 6 months, though may not yet have a pre-determined business idea

•             Be committed to engaging with all aspects of the programme and working towards full-time self-employment

To apply send an email registering your interest to: venturefolk@gmail.com with the email subject: Enterprise Pathways Application or contact the team on 07725 944915 for more information.