AN ambitious new business support programme is set to launch in Harlow to help local women get into the world of business.

The Women’s Enterprise Skills Programme will provide 25 local women who are either unemployed, under-employed or aspire to launch their own business with 6 months of free, intensive support to start up their own enterprise. The programme will be launching in March and will be based from the Harlow Enterprise Hub on Edinburgh Way.

The project will provide help to prospective female entrepreneurs by teaching them key business skills through dedicated training workshops, one-to-one business advice and guidance, as well as mentoring from local businesswomen. The goal of the programme is to assist women back into the labour market by either launching their own business or giving them the entrepreneurial skills needed to step back into employment.

Funded through the proceeds of the Harlow Enterprise Hub’s joint enterprise fund, the programme is a joint project by Harlow Council and Nwes, the country’s largest enterprise agency. Residents within the Harlow Council area will be able to participate free of charge.

Chris Chapman, Business Advisor at Nwes, who is managing the project said “Starting your own business is a great way to learn new skills and empower yourself as well as earn money, but often women are put off as they don’t know where to start. This programme is for any woman who has ever dreamed of being her own boss. By taking participants from an idea to a fully formed business in just 6 months, we are aiming to launch a new generation of female entrepreneurs in Harlow”

Applications are now open for the programme and local residents interested in participating are encouraged to email [email protected] to express their interest or call 01279 311400 for more information.