The Realities of Self Employment Programme is the starting place for clients wishing to explore the possibility of starting their own business. It is a very practical course that begins with a personal assessment in order to consider the stresses, the impact and obstacles that may be part of being self-employed.

The core of the programme is designed to help you answer these five essential questions:

• Am I suitable for self-employment?
• Can I make/service it?
• Can I manage it?
• Can I sell it?
• Can I make a Profit?

Eligibility & Next Steps

Eligibility: This programme is suitable for clients wishing to explore the possibility of starting their own business and who are either:

• Referred by the DSP as part of the Assessment of Suitability for BTWEA (Back to Work Enterprise Allowance).
• Or, engaged with OLDC on one of their programmes/supports and who has an interest in starting a business.

Support Offered to Learners:

On completion, the client is referred back to the DSP for a decision on granting BTWEA/STEA. Note that the enterprise must be recommended, in advance, by both the Enterprise Officer (EO) in the LDC and the DSP Case Officer (CO) before a final decision is made by the Deciding Officer (DO).

For participants who have not been referred by the DSP, the Business Coach will work one-to-one with the client, where their options are explored and they may be signposted to other relevant supports/programmes.

Maximum Participants: 12