A NATIONAL charity dedicated to helping unemployed over 50s explore self-employment is returning to Worcester to host a series of business training workshops for people starting up their own businesses.

The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (Prime) is planning to host an interactive workshop in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall on Friday, September 6, to help launch budding enterprises.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that self-employment is gaining popularity with 14 per cent of the UK workforce – 4.2 million – registered as self-employed, an increase of 367,000 in four years.

There are currently 3,600 self-employed workers registered in Worcester and Prime promotes self-employment as a viable route into sustainable work which could be a possible alternative for the 5,600 economically inactive 50 to 64-year-olds that there are in the area.

More than 80 people from Worcester have previously contacted the group for support in setting up a business and the charity has provided training to 20 people in the area after first visiting the city in April.

The course, beginning in September, will be delivered over six to eight weeks and includes three classroom days, as well as coursework.

It will take people over the age of 50 through the challenging process of preparing to run their own business covering areas such as researching a business idea, planning finances and how to market and sell a product or service.

Nicky Templeton, Prime’s Midlands development manager, said: “While much of the attention is on youth unemployment, the number of older people out of work is steadily rising too.

“This is very worrying as we are living longer and will need to continue working, especially in light of the rise in the state pension age.

“Our courses are designed not only to give people the essential skills needed to go on and set up a business, but we want to show people that there is another route back into work.

“Older people are more adept at starting a business due to having a wealth of skills and experience and, if successful, could bring significant benefits to their communities, as well as the local economy.”

For more details, go to prime.org.uk/courses or call 08458 622023.