A local group of volunteer business mentors has been accepted to join the Government’s new mentoring scheme after only 3 months of operation.
Capability Mentors is a free service that helps those who are thinking of starting a new business or are trying to grow a small business.
Later this year there will be campaigns on radio and TV encouraging people to think about working for themselves.
They will offer support and help by putting people in touch with local mentoring organisations via the www.mentorsme.co.uk website. Capability is the only voluntary business mentoring service exclusive to East Yorkshire and Humberside.
‘It is very early to be accepted in a national campaign’ said administrator Alan Clements ‘ however we have already recruited and trained 13 experienced mentors and could demonstrate that we had the structure to run a professional service.’
Business mentors are experienced people who offer to have regular meetings with clients to review plans, suggest alternatives and to play the role of trusted adviser.
There is no set timescale , but a mentoring period of 12 to 18 months is common to get a new enterprise up to speed.
‘It is very helpful to have someone to support you as you develop a business idea’ said mentor Ed Tomlinson ‘many people have the skills and the enthusiasm to be successful but have no experience of how to put a business plan together. We can help here, by providing structure and helping our clients focus on the important issues.’
Capability are well placed to help young people who want to apply for Enterprise Loans. These will be available shortly to those under 25 years of age and are to be used to start them off in their own business. ‘
All applicants for these loans will need to show that they have worked with a mentor to put together a business plan,’ says Alan ‘ this something that we can offer.’
