Waso hosts annual business training |22 September 2017

The Women in Action and Solidarity Organisation (Waso) organised its annual business training from August 22-24 and September 11-13, 2017. 

“Every year we at Waso host two business startup trainings for women who may want to change their field of work, for those who are unemployed or even for those who are planning to retire sooner or later,” said Waso’s chairperson Rosemary Elizabeth.

The trainings comprised several presentations by different organisations such as Sacos who gave participants a better insight into the insurance policies that it has to offer and the service that it gives to the public.

The training also saw the participation of the Seychelles Pension Fund with detailed presentations on the different pension schemes available.

There was also a presentation by Barclays Bank aiming to educate the participants about the different loans scheme that Barclays has in place to help individuals who are in a business or are just starting. “We also have a section called the Small Medium Enterprise Business section, and we at Barclays offer advice to business owners to help their businesses grow, and we have had success stories,” said Pascalina Monthy, a Barclays Bank representative at the session.     

Throughout the trainings, participants also had the chance to brainstorm in depth about their business ideas and to personally assess the strengths and weaknesses and the potential challenges that they may face once they venture into businesses.

They also received guidance on doing a thorough business plan including conducting a detailed financial analysis, analysing resources, market analysis and other relevant aspects of business planning.

“I want to use the skills that I already have to set up a tentative business in the future, thus it was good that the workshop emphasised a lot about having a vision. We also learned about the etiquette on how to treat customers as well,” said Rosetta Alcindor, a youth participant.

“The presentation was very well conducted, it helped me to broaden my knowledge on taxes and loans for example,” she added.  

On her side Florita Tirant explained that she spent several years working in the tourism and hotel sector, so she now wants to use the skills that she has acquired over the years to start a tourism related business.  

“I do not have much experience in doing business, so this session has proven to be very fruitful and useful. I would definitely encourage young and older people alike to take part in the different workshops that Waso organises,” said Mrs Tirant.   

“All our participants in the past has greatly appreciated the trainings and many of them have already started their businesses,” Ms Elizabeth said.  

She also noted that after the trainings, Waso offers help to the participants for a period of up to two years where they give more guidance if needed.

She further explained that Waso also conducts trainings in pastry, where participants learn how to bake, which will in turn help them in starting a snack shop business for instance.

When asked about the opportunities that exist in Seychelles for women in business, Ms Elizabeth said that there are a lot of opportunities for women to start a business.

“Though it seems that women are sometimes scared to come forward and venture into entrepreneurship, for example they are hesitant to take loans,” she elaborated.

“I acknowledge that there may be challenges, but I think women should not be scared because the women that are currently in the business industry today are as good as the men,” she exclaimed.  

She continued by saying that “after all our country needs its people in entrepreneurship sectors especially young people”.

 “In Seychelles a lot of retail businesses are being taken over by foreigners because we Seychellois are not taking the opportunity to create our own wealth here for ourselves, for our families and for our country. I say we should take back ownership of our businesses sector,” she concluded.

The participants of the training will receive their certificate next month in an official prize giving ceremony.

The next business startup training will be held this November, and members of the public are invited to apply and to participate. 

S. M. Barbé