Graduates thinking about starting their own business will get a flying start as successful entrepreneurs offer advice to help them make it happen, Minister for Higher Education, David Lammy announced today.
Building on the Success of the Flying Start scheme launched in 2004, the Government is investing an further £ 1 million so 5,000 graduates will get the opportunity to attend one of 50, one-day rallies aimed at inspiring them to start up their own business.
The rallies will provide support, advice, guidance and information through practical workshops and inspirational speakers and business mentors. Graduates will also have the opportunity to network with like-minded people, giving them the motivation they need to take the first step.
Graduates will be contacted shortly with more information about how they can get involved with Flying Start - Make it Happen.
David Lammy said,
The skills and talents of our young people are essential as we build a stronger Britain. It will be their enterprise and entrepreneurship which will give us and them the competitive edge we need.
In the last downturn household hold names such as Green & Blacks chocolate and eBay were created by young entrepreneurs, which is why we are harnessing the entrepreneurial spirit of our new generation of graduates, providing opportunities for 5000 to explore starting up their own business.
Flying start - Make it Happen is a important addition to the range of options available to recent graduates including internships, further study and volunteering.
Commenting on Flying Start Make it Happen, Inventor of the I - Teddy and Dragons Den success, Imran Hakin said,
I wish there were initiatives like The Flying Start Make it Happen Programme available when I first started off in business which is why I’m keen to get involved. Today business is ultra competitive and Flying Start Make it Happen gives you that invaluable edge over those that you are competing with - A must for any aspiring entrepreneur.
Graduates will register a commitment to pursue a self employment programme, a business start-up programme or pursue another option like an internship which will entitle them to support and guidance for the following 12 months.
Since July 2005 the Flying Start programme run by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship has been successful in starting up 432 businesses, holding 469 workshops and offering 816 hours of training/support.
Related Information / Links
More information about Flying Start - Make It Happen: www.flyingstartonline.com/makeithappen
Start In Business - www.startinbusiness.co.uk
News Source:
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (National)
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=406929&SubjectId=2
