«Start and Improve Your Business»: training for start-up entrepreneurs held in Mykolaiv

A series of ILO trainings took place in Mykolaiv «Start and Improve Your Business». The programme is aimed at supporting the development of small businesses and helping local residents to start their own businesses.

Over the past month, several dozen participants from Bashtanka and Mykolaiv districts have already completed the training, according to NikVesti.

Training participant Kseniia said that she has been working as a choreographer with children with hearing impairments and adult women for over 13 years. She came to the training with the idea of creating a large studio, but after the training she changed her approach.

«I am a choreographer, I work with children with hearing impairments and also with ladies of 50+. In the summer, I saw a questionnaire on social media and just filled it out — I'm always interested in learning. I came here with a bigger project — to create a movement studio, but after completing the training and analysing all the risks and opportunities, I realised that in my case it would be better not to open one big place but to make four small ones. It will be more convenient for my target audience — women aged 50+, who find it easier to have a studio in their neighbourhood or out of town. This is the format I'm planning now,» says Kseniia.

Participant of the training «Start and improve your business» Ksenia. Photo: NikVesti

Dina moved to Mykolaiv from Kherson. She is currently looking for a new field and dreams of opening a seafood shop like the one in her hometown.

«I am looking for a business to have a stable income. I want to find here what I had in Kherson. I love fish and seafood in any form. We had a shop in our city that I really liked, we always bought everything there, and my husband worked there. I want to open a similar one in Mykolaiv because, having travelled around the city, I did not find such a choice: ready meals, various salads, marinated seafood. I want the people of Mykolaiv to be able to buy something tasty and unusual,» says Dina.

Participant of the training «Start and improve your business» Dina. Photo: NikVesti

Another training participant, Pavlo, presented his 3D studio project. He is currently helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine and is also developing the commercial 3D printing industry.

«I came with the 3D studio project, which involves working with 3D printers, scanning, and other technologies. At the same time, I run a berry farm, where I also use modern solutions. I even had a robot farmer, aquaponics, hydroponics, and more. In 2017, I took my robot farmer to an exhibition, and then I needed 3D printers. That's how it all started. Then came the full-scale war — I collected equipment and helped the Armed Forces. I was also involved in the commercial sector: I made decorative products, collaborated with designers, provided printers for models and repair of parts. The scope of application is very wide — you can sell both finished products and make parts to order,»says Pavlo.

Participant of the training «Start and improve your business» Pavlo. Photo: NikVesti

After completing the training, participants will have two weeks to prepare their grant applications and business plans. This will be followed by expert evaluation, site visits and final selection. The 40 best business ideas will receive grants of almost three thousand dollars each.

The ILO training programme and the grant for starting a business is one of the ways to improve the labour market situation in Mykolaiv region.

The project also provides for the creation of short-term retraining courses, grants for employers to create special jobs for veterans, information on the possibility of confirming non-formal education and the modernisation of vocational education institutions.

The International Labour Organisation will allocate $30,000 each to upgrade training equipment at the Nadbuzke Professional Agricultural Lyceum and the Mykolaiv Professional Industrial Lyceum. The project will provide short-term courses for vehicle mechanics and cooks for people aged 45+, vulnerable groups and veterans.

Press-brunch of the International Labour Organization and the Ukrainian Association of Business Support Centres. Photo: NikVesti

Jamal Hodžić, Senior Technical Advisor at the International Labour Organization. Photo: NikVesti

Executive Director of the NGO «Ukrainian Association of Business Support Centres» Artem Vashchylenko. Photo: NikVesti

Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Science of Mykolaiv Regional State Administration Liudmyla Komisarova. Photo: NikVesti

Press-brunch of the International Labour Organization and the Ukrainian Association of Business Support Centres. Photo: NikVesti

Press-brunch of the International Labour Organization and the Ukrainian Association of Business Support Centres. Photo: NikVesti

Read also the article NikVesti: «Special economic zone for Mykolaiv: a chance to stop business outflow or a risk for the budget»