The Community has embarked on a special training program ‘Business Start-up Training’. The focus of the programe is disadvantaged groups who are unemployed and wish to consider self employment.

We did this because, unemployment is most prevalent amongst refugees and asylum seekers with multiple barriers resulting from labor market exclusion including: discriminatory labor market practice; lack of employability skills; language barriers; the benefit trap; poor levels of skills/qualifications and no or  limited work experience in the UK.

 Besides, we believed that starting a Business is attractive to our unemployed refugee and asylum seeker clients for the following reasons:

 
1.     Many refugees from Ethiopia and other countries tended to be self-employed or run their own business before they came here.

2.     Starting a business or social enterprise offers an alternative route into employment for refugees.

3.     People who manage to flee their countries and negotiate the journey are often those with an entrepreneurial spirit.

4.     Due to barriers to employment a much higher percentage of refugees set up their own business in the UK compared to the rest of the population of London.

5.     Poor experience of the labor market in the UK due to discrimination and racism, poor English proficiency and negative experiences with authorities.

6.     Self-employment is often seen by refugees as a way to generate their own job opportunities, and to come off benefits.

 
The aim of the program was:

•        to give individuals a good understanding of all aspects of business planning and turn their ideas into a viable business.

•        Mentor individuals on their business proposal

•        Introduce individuals to other agencies/parties who may be able to offer them tangible assistance for their specific business proposals.

 
The course presented the entire start-up process, from drawing up a business plan to selling and marketing the product; financing the business and dealing with the business law and regulations. It provided expert practical advice on starting a business.  Attempt was also made during the course of the training, to make participants understand the risks involved in starting a business and provided the knowledge required on how to deal with the most common problems and pitfalls that cause new businesses fail.

Main topics covered included:

•        How to refine their business ideas

•        How to find out more about their market

•        How to sell their product or service

•        How to raise the finance to get their business of the ground

•        How to manage their business’s finance

•        How to recruit and manage staff

•        How to deal with contractors and suppliers

•        How to comply with  business legislations

In the budget year of 2008/2009, we have run three training sessions and  a total of 21 trainees benefited from it.  Later on, five of the participants were encouraged to volunteer and are being supported to achieve NVQ level 2 in Business Administration as part of the Train to Gain offer available to the ECB, and another three of the participants are still receiving ongoing business advice and support service from the business advisor who is generously offering his free support  to help them take further their business ideas.

In the present budget year, the first session was already successfully completed and attended by a total of 22 trainees.  The next one is to be started on 15 October 2010.