Exciting enterprise initiative for Cookstown

The next programme is due to commence on Tuesday 21 of August and will enable those who are unemployed or economically inactive to develop skills to enhance their individual chances of securing employment or entering self-employment. The accredited programme will also provide participants with a Level 2 QCF in Understanding Business Enterprise.

Tracy Conlan opened her business after receiving support from Cookstown Enterprise Centre. ‘Heavenly Cakes Moortown’ provides a wide range of home baked, hand frosted traditional and speciality cupcakes and cakes which are all baked fresh to order using only the best possible ingredients.

All products can be gift boxed for all occasions including birthdays, anniversaries, parties, thank you gifts, christenings, and weddings etc. For further information contact Tracy on 07557412929 or visit her on Facebook www.facebook.com/heavenly.moortown.

“It has always been a dream for me to open my own business and with the help of Cookstown Enterprise Centre I have been able to make my dream a reality,” Tracy said.

“The staff at the Enterprise Centre helped me to research my business idea, put together a marketing plan, research legal issues concerning my business, develop budgets and forecasts but most importantly they helped raise my confidence which gave me the belief to start the business.”

Trevor Wilson, Chairman of CEC commented, “While this is a Northern Ireland wide programme, Cookstown Enterprise Centre is delighted to be able to deliver this programme for people in the local area. We are all aware of the current economic situation and support such as this will provide local people with the opportunity to improve their skills for employment and self-employment through advice and training while at the same time gain a Qualification’.

Dana McKenna, Business Advisor at CEC also commented: “This new programme is particularly timely given the economic downturn and increased levels of unemployment. Our aim is to deliver training and mentoring support to assist people in developing personal skills as well as achieving a qualification which will help them to re-enter the labour market”.

The programme is designed for people who:

-like the idea of starting a business but don’t have a business idea;

-have a business idea but are not ready to turn it into a business just yet;

-want to explore a few possible business ideas;

-want to gain a qualification and improve their CV.

The course starts on 21 August and following successful completion participants will be awarded a QCF in Understanding Business Enterprise making it a great way to improve your CV or to gain the knowledge and skills required to start your own business.

If you are interested in participating on this programme contact Dana at Cookstown Enterprise Centre on 028 8676 3660 or e-mail [email protected]

This project is part-financed by the European Social Fund, the Department for Employment and Learning, Enterprise Northern Ireland and the Local Enterprise Agencies under the Northern Ireland ESF Programme 2007 -13.