Young inspired to be enterprising as unemployment rises

With latest trends revealing unemployment has reached a 14-year high and almost 2.5 million of the population out of work, northern areas have seen a steep rise in unemployment.

Young people have been hit hardest by the current decline, with unemployment among the under-25s rising fastest and half of the jobs lost in the past year were those of youngsters.
Data from the International Labour Organisation shows that the employment rate of 16 and 17-year-olds dropped to 28.6 percent in April to June from 34 percent a year earlier, while the rate for people aged 18 to 24 dropped to 59.8 percent from 64.1 percent.
Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI), Be Enterprising was created to inspire enterprise and bring about positive and measurable changes in the unemployment hotspots of County Durham. Among those supported by Be Enterprising are young people looking to launch their own business.

Elliott Patterson, Be Enterprising programme manager, said: “We are committed to inspiring enterprise and supporting young people with their business ideas.  

“Be Enterprising’s aim is to make a difference in the communities in which we operate by empowering people and motivating them to start up their own businesses. Young people starting businesses today will create employment opportunities for the future.”

Two young women who have started their own business are Tracey McKenna and Claire Ronson, both 20.

With the help of Be Enterprising Tracey and Claire have realised their dreams and opened their own hair and beauty salon, Phab Hair and Beauty Room, in Spennymoor, County Durham.

Claire, who followed her mum’s footsteps into hairdressing, started out as a Saturday girl in a local salon at 14 and, after finishing school, went to train in a Durham salon. Tracey, from Crook, completed her beauty qualification at Bishop Auckland College and, after gaining two years experience working in beauty salons, decided she was ready to go it alone.

Claire, from Spennymoor, said: “Tracey and I have got such a good thing going here. We can refer clients to each other and provide a full hair and beauty service to our customers. It’s a great partnership we’ve formed.”

Tracey added: “I’m planning on taking further beauty courses so I can develop my business and provide the best possible service I can for my clients.

“I’m also hoping in the future to take somebody on to train up and give them the same opportunities and experience that I had when I left college.”

Phab Beauty Room offers beauty services such as waxing, manicures and facials amongst other treatments. Phab Hair offers services that include colouring, cuts, styles and hair extensions.

Along with support from Michael Smith, their business coach, Tracey and Claire received a grant from Be Enterprising to help with start-up costs.

Be Enterprising is a government funded programme and is supported by additional investment from the European Regional Development Fund. Since it started in 2007 the programme has helped people in County Durham communities to start up over 1000 new businesses.

Michael Smith said: “It’s young entrepreneurs like Tracey and Claire who really benefit from the funding and guidance offered by Be Enterprising. It gives them the support they need to establish themselves and gain confidence to follow their dreams.

“It just shows, even with the economic downturn, if there is a belief that something will succeed and follow through, it will. Claire and Tracey certainly have had that drive and determination to see their business through.”