Students trained to be entrepreneurs

The Goa chamber of commerce and industry (GCCI), along with the non-profit organization ICreate, has trained commerce students from 18 colleges across Goa in a five-day entrepreneurship training programme to enable the students to become creators of jobs rather than job seekers when they finish their studies.

After the 'Change your mindset' programmes conducted by ICreate, students come out with business ideas, which the GCCI, ICreate and Goa commerce teachers association help to polish into feasible business plans.

The programme is held in education institutions across the country, covering students in the age group of 17 to 23 years, and 11 best ideas are picked to compete in the national business plan competition of ICreate India.

After institution and regional level competitions, the 11 students coming from diverse family backgrounds from different parts of the country will compete in Goa at the Entertainment Society of Goa premises in Panaji to have their business idea funded.

The business ideas in the competition cover a wide range of fields from organic manure, juice parlour, hand made gift articles, cleaning services, tiffin service, hot air balloon to a unique heating and cooling system.

"Under the tie-up with ICreate, the Ghas conducted training for women in rural areas of Goa like Canacona and Sattari and the women came out much more confident and knowledgeable about business tactics at the end of the programme. With close to 70 master trainers, Goa has the biggest pool in the country under the programme. The GCCI has also discussed with banks to make the process easier for entrepreneurs seeking finance," GCCI president Manguirish Pai Raikar said.

He said that entrepreneurship programmes are also being planned for inmates of Aguada jail and sex workers in Goa to make them independent.

"ICreate training programmes are devoid of the jargon that go with business management training. Our programmes are more on how to go about practical implementation of business ideas. We do handholding for youngsters and people from rural areas with viable business ideas for six months. We take care of the mentorship so that the budding businesspersons realize the importance of a foolproof business idea as against thinking only about finances for the business," Dr Aruna Bhargava, one of the founders of ICreate said.

ICreate India CEO Ulhas Kamat said that with 10 million youngsters in the country, it will be difficult to secure a job with each one looking for employment rather than self-employment.

Small Business Training Classes to Begin in January in Oswego County

For those interested in expanding or starting a small business in Oswego County, there are two small business training classes scheduled for January.

The first class will be held online from January 14 through March 2.

Registration for this online class is due by January 10.

For more information email OBCR@oswego.edu with the subject line “Online Training Course.”
The classroom course is scheduled to begin January 26 and run Saturdays only through February 23.

The classes will be held at SUNY Oswego, room 118 Rich Hall from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The program is coordinated by the City of Fulton Community Development Agency, City of Oswego Community Development Office, SUNY Oswego Office of Business and Community Relations and Operation Oswego County to provide guidance and support to people interested in starting or expanding a small business.

The program provides a 24-hour small-business training program that covers such topics as how to write a business plan, how to obtain financing, accounting and tax issues, business insurance, legalities, marketing, and other basic business start-up issues.

Classroom training is provided by OBCR small business advisors Larry Perras and John Halleron, as well as other area business professionals.

Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 in low-interest financing to expand or start their business in Oswego County.

Tuition for the program is $200 and includes all materials.

Scholarships are available for households within low to moderate income guidelines as established by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For more information or to register for either class, call 312-3492.

To download a program or scholarship application, visit www.oswegocounty.org/micro.html

Next Small Business Training Class to Begin in September until October 15 in Oswego County

For those interested in expanding or starting a small business in Oswego County, the next Micro-Enterprise Program small business training class is scheduled to begin Sept. 15 and run each Saturday until Oct. 13.

The classes will be held at the SUNY Oswego Phoenix Center, Oswego County Industrial Park (off of exit 14 on 481), Phoenix, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The program is coordinated by the city of Fulton Community Development Agency, city of Oswego Community Development Office, SUNY Oswego Office of Business and Community Relations and Operation Oswego County to provide guidance and support to people interested in starting or expanding a small business.

The program provides a 24-hour small-business training program that covers such topics as how to write a business plan, how to obtain financing, accounting and tax issues, business insurance, legalities, marketing, and other basic business start-up issues.

Classroom training is provided by OBCR small business advisors Larry Perras and John Halleron, as well as other area business professionals.

Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 in low-interest financing to expand or start their business in Oswego County.

Tuition for the program is $200 and includes all materials.

Scholarships are available for households within low to moderate income guidelines as established by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The remainder of the 2012 Micro-Enterprise training schedule is as follows:

Nov. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 27: 118 Rich Hall, SUNY Oswego, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, or to register for a class, call 312-3492.

To download a program or scholarship application, visit www.oswegocounty.org/micro.html