Treasure Jars Youth Centre, TJYC, a youth-focused non-governmental organization in Osogbo received grant from the United States Department of State to organize Free 5-Day Entrepreneurship Training for 60 youths between ages 18 and 35 years living in Osogbo. The training is to take place in two batches (30 youths per batch).

The first batch which took place from Monday, 8th to Friday to 12th February 2016 included participants who were intending, start-up and growing entrepreneurs in the State of Osun .
Topics covered over the five days included Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Asset and Deficit Mapping, Feasibility Study, Accounting, Business Plan, Marketing, Leadership and Management Skills in Entrepreneurship, Customer Service in Entrepreneurship, Action Planning, Social Media Strategies in Business Development, Stock Management to mention a few. There were also information sessions by Corporate Affairs Commission, Osun MicroCredit Agency, Federal Inland Revenue and Osun Inland Revenue Service. These sessions were presented by top officials from the agencies.

The training is followed by monthly monitoring and evaluation and mentoring meetings for six months. The first of the meetings took place on Friday, 26th February 2016. The training participants presented progress reports on how far the training had helped their businesses and business pursuits. Majority of the participants, about 90%, reported that their Book-Keeping and Accounting, Stock Management and Customer Service skills had significantly improved and these had helped to structure their businesses and also improved business patronage. There was also a business coach; Mr Richard Obire, on ground to answer questions and give business advice to the participants.

The monitoring, evaluation, and mentoring meetings for the first batch of participants will continue for five consecutive months after which certificates of participation will be presented to them.
The second batch of the training will hold in June 2016 following the same pattern. There will also be an opportunity for the two batches to meet in the course of the monthly meetings.

For more information on the registration for the 2nd batch, click here

More photos are available here

Photo Credits: Michael Bankole for Mykelbankz Photography