Daniel, who lives in Billingham, was referred to Five Lamps Enterprise team by Jane Metcalfe from Stockton Council Learning & Skills after he had expressed an interest in becoming self-employed.
Upon completion of the Youth Employment Initiative Pathways Programme with Learning and Skills Daniel, decided that he would like to start his own gardening business, as he had recently become a new Father and the flexibility with self-employment would help with his family life.
Daniel met with Tony Cummings, one of Five Lamps Enterprise Advisors, who works on the Youth Employment Initiative Routeways Programme and had an initial meeting to look at the pros and cons of becoming self-employed.
Tony then referred Daniel on to a two day funded workshop, gaining knowledge around marketing, bookkeeping, customer service, legislation and tax. He then worked intensively with Daniel over a 6 week period to produce a business plan and cash flow forecast.
The enquires for Daniel’s gardening service soon began to build up, however, to complete some of the bigger gardening jobs he required an industrial strimmer. Fortunately, through the Youth Employment Initiative Routeways programme, Five Lamps were able to support Daniel to purchase a strimmer, which has helped him build up more clientele.
To find out more about Daniel’s business, DCB Gardening Services can be contacted on 07525 853634.
The Tees Valley Pathways and Routeways programmes form part of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI). This is part-funded by the European Social Fund through the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.
The program aims to support young people across the Tees Valley aged 15-29 who are unemployed and/or not in education, employment or training until the end of July 2020.