Support & Training Courses Available

Self Employment Awareness
This free seminar is designed to give an overview of self-employment, what is involved and how and where to access support. It runs for ½ a day and is fully funded by Business Link West Midlands. To be eligible for a funded place you must live in or intend to start a new business in the West Midlands.

Business Start Up Course
This 2 day course or 4 evening course is fully funded by Business Link West Midlands. To be eligible for this free training you must live or intend to start a new business in the West Midlands. The course covers the essentials of book-keeping, marketing and preparing a business plan, absolutely essential for every start-up new business.

Using the Internet as a Marketing Tool
This ½ day course is fully funded by Business Link West Midlands. To be eligible for this course you must live or intend to set up a new business in the West Midlands.

City Wide Grant Scheme
Start up grant of up to £1500 for a new business start or up to £5000 for an existing business looking to take on a new employee.  Please follow the link for further information on the eligibility criteria for this scheme.

Employment and Skills Programme
People on Jobseekers Allowance or Income Support can get a £100 weekly training allowance for 13 weeks along with ongoing training and support for individuals either resident or have business premises within the City of Stoke-on-Trent. Please follow the link for further information on the eligibility criteria for this programme. The Employment and Skills programme is funded by the Working Neighbourhood Fund through Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

City Test Trading Programme
People who receive benefits such as Income Support, Disability Allowance, and Incapacity Benefit can get £100 weekly training allowance for 13 weeks along with ongoing training and support for individuals either resident or have business premises within the City of Stoke-on-Trent. Please follow the link for further information on the eligibility criteria for this programme. The Employment and Skills programme is funded by the Working Neighbourhood Fund through Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

NVQ Level 3
Business Initiative currently offers NVQ Level 3 Staring a New Business Enterprise. For further details please follow the link.