Training course (EN)

The Mission

The Access Enterprise method is about supporting individuals from marginalised groups to create their own jobs. It is a practical and proven framework to support individuals who face specific and often multiple barriers to the labour market to become new business people, new entrepreneurs, and social innovators. The origins of Access Enterprise model lie in the Individual Placement and Support Employment model and mainstream Business Coaching – support which is from business people for entrepreneurs.

The Access Enterprise model is a framework – it is not a rigid model. It offers ideas, a structure and proven methodology which should be seen as a starting point and a guide for new businesses and ventures.

A Flexible Approach

To implement the Access Enterprise Method you must ensure that you are flexible approach. Remember, the model is method about supporting the entrepreneur to develop rather than just the Business Idea. Therefore your approach needs to be one which takes into account of individual needs, and adaptable to settings. The method can be delivered in a variety of informal, non-formal and formal settings and can be used on a one to one and group settings. The Learning Methodologies used are all based around Peer Mentoring and Coaching.

Peer Coaching/Mentoring

Peer Definition                 

Peers are individuals who share some common characteristics, attributes or circumstances. In this case they are people who have experience of starting and running a business and/or identify as being from the same geographical or thematic community as the entrepreneur.

Mentoring/Coaching Definition

 Mentoring/Coaching is a developmental partnership through which one person shares knowledge, skills, information and perspective to foster the personal and professional growth of someone else. We all have a need for insight that is outside of our normal employment and educational experience. The power of mentoring is that it creates a one-of-a-kind opportunity for collaboration, goal achievement and problem-solving.

Coaching is a long term relationship that meets a development need, helps develop full potential, and benefits the mentee.

The purpose of mentoring and coaching is always to help the mentee to change something - to improve their performance in something, to develop their qualities, to develop their skills, to realise their vision, or whatever. This movement is from where they are, ('here'), to where they want to be ('there').

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.”  John C. Crosby

Peer Mentoring/Coaching Definition

Peer mentoring/coaching is based on semi-structured planned sessions with specific guidelines and frequently with a set number of meetings and activities within a predetermined set of outcome peer mentor/coach can be picked for their sensibility, confidence, social skills and reliability.

Peer mentoring/coaching is a process through which a more experienced individual encourages and assists less experienced individuals to develop their potential within a shared area of interest in this case the Coach

Target Groups and Organisations

Any group or organisation can use peer mentoring to allow members to develop and increase their potential.

The identification of a suitable mentor who has the necessary entrepreneurial experience and also the right attitude is crucial.

 Training Tips

Watch for signs of "lopsided" coaching. This occurs when one party is devoting more time and energy to the mentoring process than the other. In most cases, efforts should be equal. Make sure both parties are committing time and energy to the process.

Ask the mentee questions such as: "How would you solve the challenges to meet your goal?" or "What do you think the solution is for you?" in order to sharpen problem solving abilities.

By working together in a group, mentees often bond and build a network, which is valuable for a cohort of mentees moving at a similar pace into new directions in their lives.

An advantage of group peer coaching is that mentees receive multiple sources of feedback, not just that of one Coach. Hearing the same message from many sources can have increased impact.

Through the Access Enterprise methodology you will use coaching as the method to empower and enable your entrepreneurs, whether you are working within a group or with an individual in a formal or non-formal setting.