College Offers Free Online Help For Entrepreneurs
POTTSTOWN PA – Aspiring entrepreneurs can conveniently learn the nuts and bolts of starting a business by using a new online program developed by Montgomery County Community College for the Pennsylvania Business and Entrepreneurial Initiatives Collaborative. The program, titled “Starting Your Own Business,” is available here.
An online course shows entrepreneurs how to act on their ideas
The course is a free and self-paced, and allows learners to explore modules on business basics, financial and legal considerations, marketing, and an in-depth case study. Its last module guides learners through the process of developing a customized business plan.
“In today’s market, entrepreneurial spirit is more than being a business owner. Employers increasingly expect employees to think entrepreneurially when developing ideas and solving problems,” according to Philip Needles, the college’s dean of Business and Entrepreneurial Initiatives.
Learners who successfully finish the program and business plan will earn a proof of completion certificate. They may be eligible to earn three credits at the college, which operates campuses in Pottstown and Blue Bell, through a Prior Learning Assessment. It’s a tool used by institutions to determine if previous education, work and life experiences can be translated to college credits.
Other colleges and universities may also evaluate the completed course and business plan for possible assessment credit toward one of their respective programs.
“Starting Your Own Business” is funded by a U.S. Department of Labor grant, and is part of a joint initiative of Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges to train and place underemployed and unemployed state residents in high demand jobs.
The program is open source and distributed under a Creative Commons license. For more information, call Denise Collins at 215-619-7313, or send her an e-mail, here.
