Develop yourself
Take advantage of training and mentoring programmes, events and resources to increase your skills. Follow the links below for further information on what’s available.
Our favourite links
horsesmouth.co.ukWhen faced with a choice, challenge or change in life, do you ever wonder how other people coped with the same situation? Horsesmouth is an informal mentoring website where you can benefit from the experience of people who have been in your shoes. Why not help others by sharing what you've learnt too?
makeyourmarkconnect.org Browse our Make Your Mark Connect website to find networking groups and events near you, or why not start your own group?
shell-livewire.org Be Your Own Boss is an up-to-date business encyclopaedia, covering topics including sales and marketing, finance and personnel. Access it free on the Shell LiveWIRE website.sse.org.uk The School for Social Entrepreneurs provides training and opportunities that enable people to use their creative and entrepreneurial abilities more fully for social benefit.
Other useful links
See links on: Courses, events and training programmes | Education | Useful reading
Courses, events and training programmes
academyofenterprise.org The Leadership, Innovation and Enterprise Skills (LIES) programme from the Academy of Enterprise can help you to develop your enterprise skills.
amazeyourself.org The Amaze Yourself programme helps unemployed people in the Yorkshire and Humber region to develop the right personal and professional skills to enter employment in an enterprise environment, to embark on an exciting business start up journey, or to access further business-related learning.
blue-skies.uk.com Blue Skies aims to encourage 14-19 year olds to set up their own business, by helping them to develop entrepreneurial skills at inspiring half-day seminars.
businessadviceday.co.uk The Business Advice Open Day programme provides a unique opportunity for small and medium sized enterprises to obtain quality advice and information, needed in order to run their business successfully. You can find out about your legal obligations, learn about recent developments and gain free help and advice.
business.barclays.co.uk Barclays run a series of free Let's Talk seminars across the country to help people turn their business ideas into reality. You can book your place by visiting the Barclays Business Banking website.
businessdynamics.org.uk Business Dynamics is a business and enterprise charity that aims to bring business to life for young people. The organisation runs a range of programmes for 14-19 year olds.
businessenterprise.org.uk Business Enterprise works with schools and educational organisations to inspire students to excel and gain confidence and self belief to achieve. They provide programmes, workshops and seminars for students and teachers.
businesslaunchpad.orgbusinesslaunchpad offers self-employment support and advice to 14-30 year old entrepreneurs in the Wandsworth area. Their events and workshops help young people to explore their enterprise potential.
businesslink.gov.uk Search the Business Link directory of events to find opportunities to develop your skills.
ebusinessclub.biz Find ICT training events for businesses in the East Midlands by searching the eBusiness Club database.
energise.timebank.org.uk Young Timebank helps young people aged 11-19 to turn their ideas into action by setting up projects, campaigns and events. It's a great way to learn skills, get experience and build for your future.
euro-study-tours.co.uk European Study Tours run a range of student conferences on business and economics, including the 4 Entrepreneurs conference.
freshbusinessthinking.comAn online resouce for entrepreneurs where can source information and advice to help you run your business more effectively and efficiently.hotcourses.com Search the Hotcourses database to find the right course for you.
i10.org.uk i10 is a government programme. It supports innovation and success by helping companies tap into the expertise and resources of universities in the East of England through their services and networks.
iod.com The Institute of Directors provides a professional network that reaches into every corner of the business community. Individuals can join the IoD in his or her capacity as a director. Find out about the courses, conferences, seminars and development programmes that they offer to members.
learndirect-advice.co.ukLearnDirect lets you search through more than 900,000 courses throughout the UK, so that you can find the course that matches your requirements.
peopleintoenterprise.com People Into Enterprise offers free courses and events for anyone who lives, works or is thinking of setting up in business in the Tyne & Wear or Northumberland area.
princes-trust.org.uk The Prince's Trust Team initiative is a free 12-week team-based community project, open to UK residents aged 16-25 who are currently unemployed. Taking part helps you develop practical skills that will help you in work and in life.
rfts.worldarcstudio.com Reach For The Sky is Sky’s flagship initiative to support and inspire young people to achieve their potential. It offers three-day workshops on broadcasting, entertainment and sport, and you can also use the site to search for relevant courses and training opportunities
young-enterprise.org.ukYoung Enterprise is the UK’s leading business and enterprise education charity. Its 'learning by doing' approach brings business into the classroom. Programmes are available for all levels of education from primary school right through to university.
youthinformation.com provides further information on Youth Training and Modern Apprenticeships which are the main work training opportunities available to young people on leaving school.
Education
aimhigher.co.uk Aimhigher provides a complete guide to higher and further education in England including details of what help is available.
dfes.gov.uk/financialhelpThe Department for Education and Skills tells you about the different kinds of financial and other help that may be available to you to assist with your education and training.
edgecampaign.co.uk This website from Edge will give you the lowdown on vocational and practical learning – doing things for real, integrating theory and practice – and how it can help you make your way in the working world.
nagty.ac.uk The National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) aims to ensure that all young people, regardless of background, have access to the formal and informal learning opportunities they need to help them turn their potential into high achievement. NAGTY membership is open to secondary-level students aged 11-19, who live and are being educated in England. They have to show that they are working in, or have the potential to work in, the top 5 per cent of the national ability range.
need2know.co.uk Need 2 Know demonstrates the opportunities available if you decide to stay in education after 16 and offers some practical advice on everything from coursework to changing schools.
saas.gov.uk The Student Awards Agency for Scotland deals with financial support and gives advice to eligible Scottish students in higher education throughout the United Kingdom. It also plays a role in connection with student loans, hardship funds and educational endowments.
wales.gov.uk Visit the Welsh Assembly Government website to find out what funding options are available to you if you're in post-16 education, are interested on learning whilst you work, or want to learn in order to return to work.
Useful reading
bl.uk Clue up on business and intellectual property by checking out the resources held by the British Library in its business collections.
businessclub.bt.com The BT Business Club has a range of articles, case studies and advice on business, IT and telecomms. The site also features web seminars and podcasts on a range of topics for new and small businesses.
channel4.com/money/being_in_business/ This Channel 4 microsite is about being in business.delni.gov.uk The website of the Department for Learning and Employment in Northern Ireland has lots of useful information on starting and running a business.
news.bbc.co.uk BBC News has a dedicated section on running a business.