Business Start up

Learn how to make an informed decision about whether starting a business or social enterprise is right for you. This course helps you to reflect on your current circumstances and how a business will fit in with the rest of your life. It is a single module in the full Level 2 First Steps to Enterprise Award.

You consider both the feasibility of a business idea and the early stages of business planning. On the course you learn how to:

• understand the skills needed to run a business
• identify ‘my skill set’
• develop a plan to address any skills or knowledge gap
• understand the time commitment involved in running a business
• evaluate your ability to start a business

You will be assessed on the skills you develop. You will be required to compile a portfolio of evidence in the form of an electronic business development log.

This module is delivered both in the classroom and online so you get excellent learning materials as well as local classroom tuition and support. It means that you can complete your units of study efficiently so that you get the skills you need to start a business at a time and place to suit you.

Such reflection is essential when considering the feasibility of a business idea and the early stages of business planning.

This course is worth 1 credit towards the national full award and you will be eligible to complete other Level 2 modules to gain the full award (13 credits are needed to gain the full award).

You need to be competent in reading and writing English and have the numeracy skills to be able to undertake basic financial calculations. You will need to be able to apply your English and maths in a business context.

Other Level 2 award modules which you can complete to gain a full Level 2 First Steps to Enterprise Award include:

• Developing Your Business Idea
• Financial Considerations for a New Business
• Understanding the Benefits and Tax Credit System
• Getting Started with Social Media
• Street Market Trading as a Business Option
• Running a Business from Home
• Understand How to Sell a Product or Service
• Legal Aspects of Trading for a New Business
• Understanding Social Enterprise