A project has been launched in Carmarthenshire which will inspire and support aspiring entrepreneurs living in rural areas within the county.
Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion launched the Springboard project, a rural enterprise initiative funded by Welsh Government to help people access tailored skills, knowledge and experience to start their own business.
The Springboard project will be travelling across the county delivering 10 roadshows for anyone who has a business idea. Led by Coleg Sir Gar, the project works in partnership with some of the county’s successful businesses including Wrights Emporium and Coal Town Coffee. Launched at Coal Town Coffee in Ammanford, the £100k project is tailored to tackle the challenges faced by those in rural areas to access entrepreneurship training as well as higher level fully-funded skills tailored to each individual.
The first roadshow starts at Wright’s Emporium on Tuesday January 21 and workshops will include opportunities to learn from entrepreneurs in the food, drink, construction and retail sectors who will explain the challenges faced in opening small businesses in rural areas.
Simon Wright who runs Wright’s Food Emporium in Llanarthne is leading the workshops. The restaurateur, food writer, broadcaster and consultant has run award-winning businesses in Carmarthenshire for 30 years. He is a former editor of the AA Restaurant Guide, he has presented food programmes for BBC TV, radio and Channel 4 and is the author of two books about the restaurant trade, food and farming.
ColegauCymru announced the £300k funding for the further education sector from the Welsh Government’s EU Transition Fund. Funding will support three distinct projects that address the varied and changing needs of communities in Wales and each project will enable all colleges in Wales to learn and share from the pilots and offer new routes into re-skilling, training and continuation in vocational education.
Andrew Cornish, Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion principal said:
“Colleges are working closely with the Welsh Government and Regional Skills Partnerships to drive high levels of skills development though bespoke, high level and new training programmes which aim to support learners engaged on the Springboard project.
“This will ensure that the future workforce of Wales has the skills to impact directly on businesses, their local regions and the economy of Wales.
“Coleg Sir Gâr will be placing itself at the heart of our communities to offer flexible solutions in its approach to education, training and entrepreneurship.”
Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education, said:
“Supporting our rural economy is very important to me, so I’m pleased to see the Welsh Government’s £50 million EU Transition Fund being used to tap into the talent we have in our smallercommunities across Wales.
“This programme is an example of how our Welsh colleges can support our fledgling small businesses and entrepreneurs of today to become the industry titans of tomorrow.”
To find out more, contact the project team on 01554 748370 or Stuart.Mathias@colegsirgar.ac.uk.
