Milton Keynes Council is investing over £6,000 to support budding entrepreneurs in some of the city’s most disadvantaged estates.
The Council is working with Pop Up Business School and local housing associations Guinness and Places for People to provide free training for aspiring entrepreneurs interested in setting up their own business. In particular, the council is encouraging young and marginalised people to take the opportunity to gain the tools and confidence they need to launch their own business.
The Pop-up school will offer a range of free courses, including a session where participants can set up their own website for free, learn all about online marketing, build their confidence and legal advice among many others.
The first two-week online course will take place from 2 – 13 November. Residents wishing to take part should register their interest here: https://events.popupbusinessschool.co.uk/MiltonKeynes.
Increasing local people’s access to skills and training is a central part of the Council’s Estate Renewal Strategy which is due to be agreed next week, with a focus on supporting people in Fullers Slade, Lakes Estate, Beanhill, Bradville, Coffee Hall, Netherfield and Tinkers Bridge.
The courses are completely free and aimed at everyone with an interest in business. There’s no experience required and no need to have an oven-ready business plan – just a desire to learn and succeed.
Sessions are led by successful entrepreneurs and professionals, with events in other parts of the country attracting hundreds of aspiring business owners.
Cabinet Member for Economy and Culture, Cllr Carole Baume, said: “These free courses will give aspiring entrepreneurs the platform to take that crucial first step in setting up their own businesses. We’re committed to supporting people during these challenging economic times and I’d encourage as many people as possible to sign up to this fantastic opportunity.”
Catriona Simons, Group CEO of The Guinness Partnership, commented: “It is especially important in these difficult economic times to support enterprise and give people with good business ideas access to expert advice to make these ideas a reality. We are proud to be supporting PopUp Business School.”
David Cowans, Group CEO of Places for People, said: “We have seen directly how challenging the current pandemic has been, and the impact on job opportunities for our own customers and communities. The free course from the Pop Up Business school will help give local people the tools they need to develop the next generation of innovative businesses in the local area."
