Online course for self-employed

If you have ever thought about starting your own business but don’t know where to begin, a free online taster programme from The Enterprise Zone (www.theenterprisezone.co.uk) could put you on the right track.

The course, called Exploring Enterprise, offers practical advice and information on setting up and funding a new business - even if you haven’t decided on the type of venture you want to run.

Exploring Enterprise is ideal if you need to be flexible about when and where you log on. An interactive programme, it’s designed to provide a practical understanding of what’s involved in starting and running a business, including marketing, finance, legal issues, decision making, managing resources and communications.

Completion of the programme can lead to a Level 2 Certificate from the Institute of Learning and Management.

The full Exploring Enterprise online programme costs £195 and is a 30-hour course that takes around two-three months to complete.