NUR-SULTAN – The Bastau Business and Zhaskasipker funded entrepreneurship skills training programmes are being offered for the first time in Shymkent. The former will involve 2,700 participants; the latter, 1,400, reported kursiv.kz.
Zhas Kasypker business training. Photo credit: atameken.kz.
“Participants in the first Zhaskasipker project can be unemployed people 18-29 years old. If they own their own business, then it must have existed for less than three years, but the main condition is that people should not be working anywhere. The education is free and students receive a scholarship of more than 16,000 tenge (US$41.22). Training lasts three weeks in 13 rooms which are equipped with office equipment and Internet connection. Each group has coordinators and highly qualified trainers,” said head of the Shymkent Chamber of Entrepreneurs Department of Non-Financial Entrepreneurship Support Laura Tleuberdiyeva.
Future entrepreneurs are being trained in two groups. The first began their studies July 22, with 567 people completing the training. The second class of 833 started Aug. 16. The curriculum includes expert-guided practical training and individual work. Each group has a therapist to help with the psychological reasons for unemployment. Upon completion, participants are eligible to apply for soft loans or grant financing.
Of the 131 projects presented, the majority are to open beauty salons, sewing workshops, ateliers and confectioneries. The remainder are computer services, cinder block manufacturing and livestock-related projects.
Under the Bastau Business programme, future entrepreneurs receive one month of training. The programme has no age restrictions and individuals up to 63 (retirement age) can be involved. Participants will also receive a more than 16,000 tenge (US$41.22) scholarship and upon completion will be able to apply for a grant or credit.
“We not only train; we accompany these projects for 12 months. According to the calculations of the Enbek programme, 20 percent of the number of students must start a business,” said Tleuberdiyeva.
The Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs operates the Bastau Business and Zhaskasipker projects. Supporting and developing mass entrepreneurship in the city is being completed in accordance with the Economy of Simple Things state programme, said expert at the Shymkent Chamber of Entrepreneurs Project Support Department Moldir Duysebaeva.
