Training

Training on specific issues enables focused client learning and business confidence and offers an important opportunity for clients to meet others who are starting up in business. Setting up a business can be an isolating experience for much of the time. Where money is tight and time is precious, clients will often find that a training event will be a good opportunity to network as well as to develop their business knowledge.

Workshops and other training opportunities complement the developing relationship between the adviser and client. It encourages clients to access other forms of support and to be proactive in developing their businesses. Community organisations will often run in-house training courses, dependent on funding, or will recommend training organisations. One of your tasks will be to provide, and to guide clients to, free or low-cost training events.

A range of courses is available, focusing on various themes, such as:

• Business start-up and development, business planning, basic book-keeping, marketing and market research
• Running a business, including food hygiene, health and safety and licensing; and
• Developing personal skills, including English as an additional language and English for speakers of other languages.