YTKO's successful contract award to deliver a new intensive start-up support service for under-represented enterprise groups in the City launches today.

The YTKO Outset Plymouth Team have set up a brand new service in Plymouth and are looking for people in the Plymouth area with a spark of an idea that they would like to develop into a successful business with the support of free training, mentoring and support from local enterprise advisors.

The first information session took place on Friday 19th Feb at Stoke Business Park in Plymouth with an excellent turn out, illustrating that there is a real need for this service in the city. Simon Hall, Programme Director for the ISUS Plymouth service says,

“These are jargon-free, practical courses include a wide range of personal and business skills development to give our entrepreneurs all the essential tools, knowledge and confidence to start a new business.”

Councillor Ted Fry, Cabinet Member for Planning, Strategic Housing and Economic Development at Plymouth City Council is delighted to see this service come to Plymouth.

“This is the first event to take place under this scheme and we look forward to seeing what comes out of it. YTKO has experience of nurturing those with a business idea and encouraging people to realise their ambition.” He continued”, I am also pleased to see the first session in one of our business premises, City Business Park in Stoke which already has a sterling record of getting businesses up and running.”

Nigel Howells, Head of Competitiveness at the South West RDA, said:

“The ISUS project will open up a whole new world of possibility for those groups that have experienced barriers to enterprise. We anticipate that, over the three year programme period, the funding will assist around 800 individuals who are thinking about starting a business as well as help improve the performance of 130 businesses after they’ve started. Indeed, the programme will allow for the creation of new businesses and jobs that would not otherwise come to fruition. We look forward to helping programme managers YTKO build on their already strong working relationships with key partners and existing business support agencies to make a real difference in Plymouth.”

Bev Hurley, YTKO’s Chief Executive says,

“Some people can feel that because they have a family to look after, are disabled, are from a different culture or maybe haven’t had the best start in life that they could never start and run their own business. Well, the YTKO Outset team know differently, and we have already worked with around 200 people in Cornwall to help them turn their dreams into realities. My advice to anyone reading this in Plymouth is that they have nothing to lose by contacting us!”

Whatever your background, why not give one of the YTKO Plymouth team a call on Freephone 0800 028 5699 to find out more, chat with an advisor, or register your place, or take a look at their website www.outsetplymouth.co.uk. You have nothing to lose!