New initiative aims at encouraging women entrepreneurs

A NEW venture designed to help more women get into business has been launched in Birmingham.

The Women’s Enterprise Hub, a partnership between Birmingham City Council and South and City College, will provide support and training for women who want to enter, or who are already in business.

The hub, opened by city council leader Sir Albert Bore, aims to stimulate the development of new businesses and address the under-representation of women entrepreneurs.

Although the hub is designed to support all women, there is a particular focus on helping those from minority ethnic backgrounds including the Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities.

The new venture, which represents phase one of the hub scheme, is based at South and City College’s Fusion Centre in Digbeth. It provides courses in fashion and clothing alongside business skills. There is also access to a range of partner services including workshops, advice and guidance, and support to pre-start up, start ups and existing businesses looking to develop and grow.

Women will be able to work their way from basic courses in fashion and clothing with English language support, up to higher qualifications in Asian couture – gaining the skills needed to design and create high-end Asian fashion pieces. Business skills will form a significant part of each of the courses enabling the students to take their fashion skills and turn them into an enterprise.

Phase two of the Women’s Enterprise Hub is (subject to funding and location) is expected to open in early 2014 in Sparkhill.

Sir Albert Bore said: “Improving women’s skills and employment opportunities can transform a family’s living standards. This enterprise hub is about giving women equal access to economic and productive resources which will really help redress the under-representation of women in business.”

Mike Hopkins, Principal of South and City College said research undertaken by the council’s planning group found there was interest amongst minority ethnic groups in fashion enterprise.

Courses had therefore been created that that would not only give these women excellent skills in fashion and clothing, but also the ability to turn these into successful business ventures.

“The new Women’s Enterprise Hub based at our Fusion Centre in Digbeth is a brand new, women-only space where those interested in starting their own business can learn from experienced tutors, and receive help and support to realise their ambitions,” he said.