Pathway to business reality for Mid and East Antrim residents
Thursday 28 August 2025
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s successful Enterprise Pathways Programme - aimed at unemployed residents who have an idea for a new business and want to discover how to turn that idea into reality - is now recruiting!
Now in its fourth year, the Enterprise Pathways Programme helps Mid and East Antrim residents furthest removed from the labour market to create their own job through self-employment.
Participants will receive expert advice over a period of up to 6 months to identify, explore and test business ideas, develop enterprise and personal skills, build networks, test trade, start and grow a business, as well as access ‘Get Started’ funding of up to £750.
Each participant is matched with a Skills Coach/Business Mentor and will benefit from up to 8 hours of 1:2:1 bespoke support to help realise their personal goals.
Enterprise Pathways is funded via ‘Go Succeed’ the free enterprise support service, delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils and funded by the UK Government and by Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership.
Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said: “Initiatives such as Enterprise Pathways are vitally important to tackling unemployment throughout Mid and East Antrim and help support the growth of the local economy.
“The Enterprise Pathways Programme is the perfect chance for people across the Borough to get the advice, support and guidance they need to kick start their new career and see it thrive.
“I would encourage anyone who feels this course would help launch their business idea to get in touch and sign-up.”
David McFaul, from Larne, joined the Enterprise Pathways programme to turn his love for performance and cosplay into a sustainable business.
With over a decade of experience engaging young people in youth work and education, David’s creative flair and community spirit laid the foundation for Dream Out Loud Entertainment NI, a character entertainment service offering immersive, high-quality superhero appearances for events, schools, parties, and corporate engagements.
David began his journey with limited financial resources but a deep commitment to success.
The mentorship helped David define his niche and with guidance from his mentors, David successfully applied for the ‘Get Started’ fund that covered critical start-up costs including costume investment, branded uniforms, website setup, and professionally designed marketing materials.
Speaking of his experience on the programme, David stated: "The support from Enterprise Pathways helped turn my dream into something real.
“I now have a business that reflects who I am, and I’m doing work that lights up the faces of children, families and mine!
“The programme has been an incredible support system that has helped push me beyond what I thought was possible."
Enterprise Pathways will prioritise applications from those in most need of enhanced support, including people with disabilities/long-term health conditions and those with caring responsibilities.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be unemployed MEA residents with the right to work in the UK
- Have the desire to start a business in the next 6 months, though may not yet have a pre-determined business idea
- Be committed to engaging with all aspects of the programme and working towards full-time self-employment
To apply send an email registering your interest to: venturefolk@gmail.com with the email subject; ‘Enterprise Pathways Application’ or contact the team on M: 07725 944 915 for more information.