Business Support
Whatever the type of business you are considering setting up, Work West is here to help. Our team of experienced Business Advisers will guide you through the start up process. As well as assisting business start-ups Work West also provides a wide range of business growth programmes to existing businesses. Take a look at the programmes we offer and the support you can avail of today.
Start your Business
For over 20 years Work West have helped people to start their own business through tailored support, training and mentoring. We can help guide you through the steps to starting a business, how to get sales, make the most of your marketing and managing finances.
Making the decision to start a business is a major step and requires planning. Our business advisers are here to provide you with the right support.
So, if you are thinking about starting a business – Work West can help you turn your business idea into a reality.
For more information contact Lynsey Cameron on (028) 90610826 or email l.cameron@workwest.co.uk
Starting your own business through STEPS TO WORK
If you are currently unemployed and interested in starting your own business, then you may be eligible for Steps to Work. You must contact your Jobs and Benefits Office regarding your eligibility and to gain a referral onto the programme.
Your Route to Self-Employment through STEPS TO WORK will take you through three phases:
Phase 1
The basic awareness session will usually last one half day. This is to ensure that participants do not have unrealistic expectations about their ability to succeed in self-employment.
Phase 2
Attendance at the Enterprise Development Programme will involve attendance at a half day workshop, where you will receive support, mentoring and help to develop a business plan.
Phase 3
A period of test trading for up to 26 weeks, with the support and guidance of Work West. While test trading, those on JSA will receive a Benefit Based Training Allowance (equal to their rate of JSA) plus a weekly top-up. Income Support or Incapacity Benefit claimants will retain entitlement to any benefit in payment plus a weekly training premium. You may of course leave test trading at any time during this process to set up your own business or take a job.
For more information contact Emma Garrett on (028) 90 610826 or email e.garrett@workwest.co.uk
Grow your Business
Do you want to find new customers and break into new markets? Do you want to increase your sales and reduce costs? Targeted specialist support in those areas could make all the difference to your competitiveness. Whether you want to find new customers or suppliers, develop new products or services we offer a variety of business support programmes that can help you.
Free advice and guidance is provided on a one-to-one basis by our business advisers.
For more information contact Lynsey Cameron on (028) 90610826 or email l.cameron@workwest.co.uk
Tradelinks
Tradelinks is specifically designed to assist the micro-enterprise sector across Northern Ireland and the Border counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal by:
Enhancing employment generation opportunities
Developing exporting capability
Addressing barriers to cross border trade.
Investigating the opportunities afforded by new technology
Encouraging new market and new product development
Encouraging innovation
Tradelinks will provide you with a range of benefits including:
A wide-ranging suite of programmes specifically designed to address the issues unique to the micro-enterprise sector.
A team of experienced assessors and mentors
The opportunity to form linkages with similar micro-enterprises
A full signposting service to other programmes
Tradelinks offers a range of programme elements tailored to meet the needs of micro- enterprises at various levels of development.
*Please note this programme is not currently open to new applications.
For more information contact Emma Garrett on (028) 90 610826 or email e.garrett@workwest.co.uk
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