31 January 2007
Start-up of Glasgow Waste Disposal Business Helped by Innovative
Napier University and Scottish Enterprise Project
Napier University and Scottish Enterprise have joined forces to help new citizens in Glasgow start their own businesses.
With the launch of six new businesses to date, including Sean Dyantyi‟s „Junk Me‟ business, and others in the pipeline, the project is set to be a great success.
„Integration Through Enterprise‟ is a pilot project which helps refugees and immigrants overcome the barriers they face when starting a new business.
Ed Craig, Head of Project Development Unit, Lifelong Learning,
Napier University, said: “This project is designed to assist refugees and immigrants in business start-up as they often face barriers,
particularly when it comes to accessing finance.”
“Historically, new citizens are attracted to business start up as a
means of gaining financial security and future wealth. The new citizens to Glasgow bring with them many skills, experiences and
traditions that enrich the city both economically and culturally.”
The project aims to assist 25 new enterprises by September this year and so far, six have opened for business, including Sean Dyantyi‟s „Junk Me‟ enterprise.
Sean Dyantyi came from South Africa to Scotland to study a Masters
Degree in Banking and Finance at Stirling University. After graduation in November 2004, he applied to the Home Office for a
Fresh Talent visa, which he was granted. He was unable to find a job
that matched his qualifications and decided to set up his own venture
newsreleaseby targeting a gap in the market.
Corporate Communications & Marketing, Napier University, Craighouse Campus, Craighouse Road, Edinburgh EH10 5LG
Telephone: 0131 455 6314 Fax: 0131 455 6464
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His „Junk Me‟ business specialises in clearing a variety of unwanted
items from business, domestic and leisure premises, re-using or
recycling materials where possible.
Project Co-ordinator, Chanel Bikorimana, from Scottish Enterprise
said: “Sean is typical of a well educated and hard-working immigrant
to Scotland who wants to support himself. He had a business idea
which we were able to support him with and now, after completing his
plan and finding funding, he has started trading. Already business is
looking good.
“Refugee entrepreneurs in Glasgow have come to us with business
ideas, from corner shops to hairdressing and beauty salons, import
and export firms, internet cafes and restaurants, dry cleaning, ironing
and alteration services, and we hope to help many more refugees
start new lives.
“The clients are all very positive about the programme and are eager
to come and find out more. They want to earn a living and contribute
to a society that has welcomed them.”
Chanel said: “Additional barriers facing new citizens in the business
start-up process can range from lack of appropriate management
training to a limited insight into the business practices and customs of
a new country.
“Perhaps the biggest barrier is access to finance which can be a
concern for any new business. However, new citizens often have little
or no capital to invest in a business. newsrelease
Corporate Communications & Marketing, Napier University, Craighouse Campus, Craighouse Road, Edinburgh EH10 5LG
Telephone: 0131 455 6314 Fax: 0131 455 6464
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“Equally, the absence of a credit record combined with housing in bad
debt post-code areas can make access to private sector funding
equally challenging.”
The „Integration Through Enterprise‟ project has attracted 97 clients, each of whom undertake a pre-diagnostic programme called Sirius
which helps assess their training, planning and resource needs.
Clients then receive help in drafting business plans, market research,
sourcing funding, and business networking.
The „Icons‟ pilot projects, of which „Integration Through Enterprise‟ is
one, are lead by Napier University‟s Department of Lifelong Learning,
and delivered by Scottish Enterprise. Projects are supported through
the „EQUAL‟ Community Initiative. The EQUAL Programme tests and promotes new ways of combating all forms of discrimination and
inequalities associated with gender, disability, race or ethnic origin,
religion or belief, age, and sexual orientation that prevent most disadvantaged groups from accessing the labour market. These groups include women, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities, older worker, refugees, ex-offenders, and drug and alcohol misusers. The aim is to develop a model that can be recreated on a national scale.
It is hoped that in the long term this project will stimulate the economic and social integration of new citizens and culturally enrich the city of
Glasgow.
Ends
Further information
Stuart Forsyth newsreleaseBeattie Communications
01324 602 566
Corporate Communications & Marketing, Napier University, Craighouse Campus, Craighouse Road, Edinburgh EH10 5LG
Telephone: 0131 455 6314 Fax: 0131 455 6464