Seven proud individuals in Fermanagh can boast of being the very first in the County to receive their Certificates for Business Enterprise. Exploring Enterprise is a new and exciting discipline which provides an insight into starting a business whilst allowing participants to work towards achieving a qualification.

This week all seven who took part in the first programme graduated in some style. Their qualifications were all at either Level 2 or Level 3 and equivalent to GSCE or AS level respectively and will substantially add to their own personal development as well as their CVs enhancing their employment or self employment possibilities.

John Treacy, CEO Fermanagh Enterprise which delivered the programme said ‘this is a fantastic achievement for this group of people. They have covered subjects from motivation, confidence building and personal development to exploring the world of business and self employment and have an accredited high level qualification as a result. In our current difficult economic climate this is certainly an option for some people’.

Exploring Enterprise Programme is a pre start enterprise Programme for people who are interested in developing business skills. It is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and Enterprise Northern Ireland and delivered by Fermanagh Enterprise Limited on behalf of Enterprise Northern Ireland. The Department for Social Development (DSD) have also come on board to support the entry of the programme in the Neighbourhood Renewal Areas.

Elaine Carson course organiser says ‘This is an enjoyable, fun way to gain a new insight into future job or self employment options and we are continuing to offer the course throughout Fermanagh.’

Back Row Left-Right: John Treacy (CEO, Fermanagh Enterprise Ltd), Rohan Mukherjee, David O’Shea, Elaine Carson (Programme Organiser, Fermanagh Enterprise Ltd).
Front Row Left-Right: Lenni Brown-Reid, Jade McNulty, Elaine Lindsay.
Photo by Trevor Armstrong

Participants do not need to have a specific business idea to join; the Programme provides an insight into starting a business whilst allowing participants to work towards achieving a qualification. On successful completion of the CCEA (Council for the Curriculum Examination and Assessment) accredited training course, participants will be awarded the Level 2 or Level 3 Certificate for Business Enterprise. The Programme is open to all persons aged over 16, who are not in employment particularly those from Neighbourhood Renewal Areas, under-represented groups such as lone parents; women; the over 50’s; young people (aged 16-19) not in education, employment or training and areas suffering from economic downturn as a result of business closures.

For further details contact..... Elaine or Rodney on 028 6632 3117 or email Elaine.carson@fermanaghenterprise.com or rodney.malone@fermanaghenterprise.com.