Bath MP Don Foster is to cut the ribbon on a new Adult Enterprise Centre to help entrepreneurs turn their business dreams into reality.
City of Bath College has teamed up with Curo Housing to open the pioneering city centre venue in a bid to inspire the next generation of enterprise.
The unique partnership will see part of Rosewell Court, in Kingsmead Square, being used to give adults the know-how to turn their passions into profitable businesses.
The college will be bringing the unused office space back to life by delivering start-up business training and setting up a networking hub for new and existing entrepreneurs. There will also be a number of ‘enterprise stations’ available to rent to encourage people to create their own jobs rather than waiting to find them.
Mr Foster will officially open the Bath Adult Enterprise Centre on Friday afternoon. The Liberal Democrat MP said: “As a city named after an ancient Roman bathing complex, it should come as no surprise that innovation and entrepreneurship continue to go hand in hand with Bath.
“Last year we saw a large number of new start-up businesses registered in the city and the new Bath Adult Enterprise Centre will further serve to support the needs of budding entrepreneurs.
“It’s fantastic that the City of Bath College and Curo have teamed up to offer even more localised support. So if you have an idea for a business, I’d urge you to make use of this fantastic opportunity and take the first steps towards becoming your own boss”
Learners will be able to work towards an Open College Network accredited Level 2 First Steps to Enterprise qualification or ‘pick and mix’ from ten modules aimed at different stages of setting up, running and growing businesses.
The flexible learning course is run in conjunction with Adult Enterprise, which is a national partnership of learning and skills providers who provide entrepreneurship training.
Matt Atkinson, City of Bath College Principal, said the College remained focussed on the importance of enterprise to the local economy.
He said: “Building a culture of enterprise is as important as more and more people are interested in self-employment than ever before.
“This is why I am delighted that this week we will be opening the Bath Adult Enterprise Centre, focussing on skills for self-employment and business start-up.
“The College continues to be heavily focussed on making a full contribution to the life of the City and this new venture significantly raises our status with the business community.”
There will be ‘create’ modules for those who have an idea but need help developing it into a business proposal. These are followed by ‘launch’ modules for those who need help to market their businesses and get it started and finally the ‘grow’ modules look at details such as tax, financial growth and use of social media for marketing.
Donna Baddeley, Executive Director for Transformation & Business Improvement at Curo, said: “At Curo supporting people into work is one of our priorities, so we jumped at the opportunity to work with City of Bath College on this unique facility for local people looking to start their own businesses.
“We are particularly pleased that so many Curo customers are set to benefit from the hub and the extensive support on offer through this partnership.”
Course modules start at just £60, and are free for Curo tenants and those aged 19-23 who do not already have a full level two qualification.
For more details visit www.citybathcoll.ac.uk/startyourownbusiness or call Director of Development Rob Sibley on 01225 328 611 or email [email protected]
