Explore self-employment on this free course

Published Friday, 11th March 2022

If you’re thinking of starting a business in the Tees Valley but aren’t sure of the next steps or what’s available, make a date for a free course run by Hartlepool Borough Council.

Organised by the Council’s Hartlepool Learning and Skills Service and its Economic Growth Team, the three-day ‘Explore Self-Employment Course’ runs from Wednesday 16th to Friday 18th March from 9am to 1pm at The BIS in Whitby Street, Hartlepool.

The course is open to anyone with a Tees Valley postcode and the topics covered will include:

  • Motivation to start and run a successful business
  • Pros and cons of self-employment
  • Your business idea
  • How to plan for success
  • Business ownership structures
  • Business plans and key content
  • Premises for your business
  • Tax and National Insurance
  • Health and safety
  • Financial planning

At the end of the course, people will be assigned a dedicated one-to-one adviser from the Council’s Enterprise Team.

Jayne Anderson, Hartlepool Learning and Skills Service Curriculum Manager, said: “There are five million self-employed people in the UK, which accounts for about 15% of the labour market.

“This course – which is led by a course tutor with a wealth of experience of running a business - will help people gain a good understanding of what’s needed to become self-employed, looking at everything from business and financial plans to health and safety and taxes.”

Places on the course must be booked in advance. To find out more or to book call Jayne Anderson on 01429 868616.