To develop competence as an entrepreneur
You can develop your competence as an entrepreneur with
- with the help of business mentors
- different courses, training and studies.
Mentors and business sponsors are experienced business managers and business life experts. The mentors offer their help to other entrepreneurs and startup entrepreneurs.
Mentors can support, spar, open doors, and help you develop your business ideas.
Read more on Yrityskummit.fi Opens in a new window.website.
Courses and training are organisised by
- ELY Centres
- chambers of commerce
- entrepreneurship organisations
- many educational institutions
The topics of the course and training are related to different areas of entrepreneurship. The study topics may include leadership, financial management, jurisprudence, sales and marketing, digital skills and e-commerce. The length, extent and price of the courses and training vary on a case-by-case basis.
Longer term training is also available. Examples of this include
- studies aiming at vocational qualification for entrepreneurs
- a specialist vocational qualification in leadership and business management.
You can also study for qualifications or their parts by concluding an entrepreneur’s apprenticeship.
You can also select studies in entrepreneurship as part of other vocational qualifications. You can also develop skills related to entrepreneurship by completing studies offered in higher education institutions.
You can apply for financing for updating your proficiency and developing your entrepreneurial skills from ELY Centres, for instance.
Apply to studies aiming at entrepreneurship qualifications through
- an educational institution
- training company
- other apprenticeship agent that offers the training.
The application period is often ongoing and application criteria vary based on the training provider.
You may apply for the studies if you are planning a business or if you are already an entrepreneur. You may also apply for the studies if you are a part-time entrepreneur, a farmer, or a franchising entrepreneur.
Your studies are tailored according to your needs. The studies are based on your competence, previous studies, work experience and development goals.
The studies usually take around 1–1.5 years to complete. They are often completed as multiform learning. This allows you to complete the qualification while you are running your business. In addition to your business operations, the studies usually include contact and distance learning as well as online studies.
You may also take skills demonstration tests without participating in studies. In this case, you must have versatile professional competence.
By taking apprenticeship training, you can develop your
- develop your business operations
- enhance your entrepreneurial skills
- enhance your professional competence.
The training is part of your business operations and its goals and practices are determined on a case-by-case basis.
An experienced and competent entrepreneur from another company often acts as the workplace instructor (mentor). In generational transfers, an employee from your own company who is about to retire may also act as the workplace instructor.
When you are studying for an entrepreneurial qualification in apprenticeship training, you can receive benefits, such as
- daily allowance
- family allowance
- travel and accommodation allowance.
The training provider will tell you more about the benefits and how to apply for them.
The goal in entrepreneur’s apprenticeship training is usually to qualify as an entrepreneur or to take qualification modules, but by participating in the training schemes, you can also study other vocational subjects related to your development as an entrepreneur.
You must meet the following conditions before you can conclude an agreement on entrepreneur’s apprenticeship training:
- you operate as a self-employed person, limited liability company, general partnership or limited partnership, or as an independent entrepreneur in a cooperative
- you are insured under the self-employed persons’ pension insurance scheme (YEL) or under the farmers’ pension insurance scheme (MYEL)
- your company has a Business ID
- your company’s production and service activities are in a sufficiently large scale and you have the tools required for your business operations
- you work at least 25 hours/week in tasks related to your company’s activities and training goals, in which you are able to acquire the skills set out in the training
- a person with the required professional competence, training and work experience is designated as your workplace instructor (mentor).
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