AS REDUNDANCIES continue to rise, the nation’s leading business-support organisation is urging unemployed Scots to take the plunge and launch their own business venture.
Research by the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute has suggested that an estimated 120,000 jobs will be lost in Scotland within five years due to spending cuts.
It has been claimed that 90,000 jobs will be lost in the public sector, in addition to 37,000 posts in private industry. With an estimated 212,000 people currently unemployed in Scotland, this spells bad news for the country’s tough job market.
Now, the experts at The GO Group are calling for unemployed Scots to consider launching a new business venture rather than looking for work elsewhere.
Isabell Majewsky, chief executive of The GO Group, said: “The job market is tough at the moment and, for that reason, many Scots are deciding to set up on their own and create work rather than wasting time and energy trying to find a new job elsewhere.
“Launching a new business is not an easy option, but it could allow people to have a job they really love. The GO Group runs a variety of programmes and supports schemes to help budding entrepreneurs get started.”
Jon Davies was made redundant from his role with Glasgow Science Centre last year, but is now the managing director of his own educational outreach company, thinkScience, thanks to help from The GO Group.
He said: “I was devastated when I was made redundant. I had worked at the science centre for eight years and loved my job. Teaching children about science in a fun, inventive and easy-to-understand way is a real passion, and setting up thinkScience has enabled me to continue doing what I love.”
Jon received help in setting up his business from the Innovators Counselling and Advisory Service for Scotland (ICASS), an initiative funded by the Scottish Government and run by The GO Group.
ICASS provides specialist advice and support for Scotland’s inventors and innovators free of charge. A network of advisers covers the whole of Scotland, providing guidance in developing and protecting intellectual property, investment and getting products into the marketplace.
Jon said: “The support I received from ICASS was invaluable. Having a great idea for a business is one thing, but having the know-how to make it work is something else altogether. I have two young children so setting up on my own wasn’t an easy decision – but my wife has been very supportive and my kids are a great audience to practise my classes on.”
The GO Group offers a wide range of training and advisory services designed to help businesses launch, grow and flourish through the recession.
For further information, visit www.thegogroup.co.uk, or call 0845 602 1249.