A HOST of new businesses will soon be springing up across Worcestershire thanks to a free start-up course offered by the University of Worcester.
A total of 40 people signed up for the ‘Enterprising Worcestershire Summer Start-up Boot Camp’ in June, which is part funded by the European Union Regional Development Fund through Worcestershire County Council, to learn how to set up and run their own business.
Starting with a one-week intensive boot camp, the course was then held one day a week for nine weeks as participants grew and developed their ideas.
Mentoring and one-to-one support from the Worcester Business School’s network of expert staff will continue for up to a year to help get their businesses off the ground.
Ella Young, a 30-year-old former consultant geologist for the Earth Heritage Trust, from Worcester, said: “Having been self-employed, I wanted to run my own business and steer my own career.
“I didn’t have an idea of what business that would be until I started the course and came up with ideas in the first week. I had no business background whatsoever, but I’ve learnt so much.
“Constant interactions and prompts from the programme staff keep me moving forward.”
Joanne Murphy, from the University of Worcester’s business school, said: “It’s been fantastic to see such a diverse range of businesses developing.
“Supporting people to start a business helps stimulate the economy. The great thing about a course like this is that it creates a network of local entrepreneurs.
“That kind of dynamic local business community is good for Worcestershire and it’s good for our students, who will be taking their place in this arena when they graduate.”
E-mail Joanne at [email protected] for more information on the scheme.
