Capitalising on crafting skills – make your hobby your business
Tuesday 28 April 2026
An exciting new opportunity for residents of Mid and East Antrim starts in June 2026 with the introduction of the ‘Craft to Commerce’ programme. It is designed to support hobby-craft enthusiasts to develop their products into genuine business opportunities.
The ‘Craft to Commerce’ programme is a 4-week, flexible, structured support service offered by the local Labour Market Partnership to help a limited number of creatives explore their hobby‑craft as a realistic business.
Participants will combine theory with practical sessions in a real craft market environment and inspirational visits from local successful, self-employed creatives. Through shared learning they can develop essential entrepreneurial skills, gain commercial confidence, and connect with real opportunities in the wider creative economy.
Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships develop targeted employment action plans for each council area, enabling local and regional collaboration to help people prepare for and access meaningful work.
Supporting the launch of the Craft to Commerce programme, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said: “This is a wonderful new programme offering local crafters the opportunity to develop their product, skills and business acumen.
“Creativity isn’t a luxury, but rather a way that people live, learn, connect with others, and continually develop their skills. This is particularly true with hobby-crafts where the individual’s creativity is a very personal, accessible and meaningful activity.
“Craft to Commerce is the ideal way to share your hobby with others and create pieces they like and want to display proudly in their home or office.”
The initiative requires participants to be available for 1-day per week for the duration of the programme, which will take place each Friday throughout June. The programme will end with a special showcase event scheduled for Saturday 27 June 2026.
Residents aged 18+ from the Mid and East Antrim area with the right to work in the UK who are unemployed, economically inactive or working less than 21 hours per week can apply.
Interested residents need to simply email their contact details including address and postcode, to Debbie Goss at Tuition Time: TuitionTimeByDebbieGoss@yahoo.com with the subject line ‘Craft to Commerce Programme’.
For more information, please email: lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or call T: 028 2563 3363.