|
|
|
Entrepreneurship
Training
> To enroll in our programs, view
the application (pdf) and print it out.
Urban VOICE has partnered with the Oakland Unified
School District under the auspices of the Adult Education division
to offer its unique brand of entrepreneurship training. This strategic
partnership combines the strengths of our individual roles –
as administrative sponsor and as training experts - to provide a
low-cost supplement to job training. With the rules established
by the New Economy, a new working class must be trained to first
survive the frugal economic landscape and then have the tools to
capture its fair share.
Entrepreneurship as a part of Public
Education
An individual’s ability to function as an independent entity
is a growing universal truth. Yet existing educational systems offer
few comprehensive courses to transform our working population to
navigate the harsh realities that will widen the gap between the
haves and have-nots unless entrepreneurship training is democratically
available through public education. Undoubtedly, the favorable effects
it will have in the long term – both for the individual and
the community - will clarify its importance.
Urban VOICE believes that entrepreneurship is not only an essential
program particularly for low income peoples, it should become a
required component of all progressive educational systems. We consider
entrepreneurship as a tool towards social and economic justice.
It must be viewed as a right for all individuals to learn and implement
the powers of its lessons.
Urban VOICE’s methods for teaching entrepreneurship have
been honed since 1999 when the training was a component of our technology
job training programs. Much of the training is hands-on, interactive
and working within POD (Progressive Organizational Development)
promoting teamwork and group problem solving.
A Five-Star Program
Urban VOICE has authored two comprehensive training programs for
Oakland Adult Education that is available for residents of the San
Francisco Bay Area at several Oakland schools. Urban VOICE is also
instrumental in three other areas related to our work in entrepreneurship.
| 1) |
Urban SPARK (Simplified Prerequisite
Accelerating Required Knowledge)
This is a 5-week, once-a-week class that explores the
concepts and realities of starting and running a small, home-based
business. The concept of the class is to provide the information
that will allow students to decide if they are prepared and
willing to create a business. If a student decides to continue,
he/she has the option of enrolling in Urban FIRE. |
| 2) |
Urban FIRE (Financial Independence,
Responsible Entrepreneurship)
This is a two-part series with a fall semester of 12
weeks (over a 14-week period), followed by a winter/spring semester
of 16 weeks (over a 19-week period). Students must commit to
both semesters in order to complete this program. During this
28-week period, students will develop a working business plan,
a solid internal operational structure, marketing strategies,
team-building strategies and comply with all legal requirements
for starting a business. The class also works on making major
paradigm shifts that will prepare the students for the rigors
and advantages of owning a business. At the end of second semester,
students then launch their small business – debuting their
new enterprise at the annual Ignite! Expo. It is a part of the
most comprehensive entrepreneurship program in the country under
the newly founded Oakland Entrepreneurship Institute. |
| 3) |
The Oakland Entrepreneurship Institute
This is a three-year Certificate Program developed by Urban
VOICE in cooperation with the Oakland Adult Education program.
Its main role is providing an all-encompassing program teaching
various skills for entrepreneurs and providing a supportive
community of external services through partnerships with public
agencies and private businesses. In order to qualify for the
certification, students are required to learn QuickBooks, Microsoft
Office, Webpage Development, Basic Video Production and Customer
Service. During the second and third years, students continue
taking classes, serve as mentors, work as interns and apprentices
and engage in a peer-group advisory council meeting quarterly.
|
| 4) |
Ignite! Expo for New Businesses
This is the annual “coming out party” for businesses
formulated through the Urban FIRE program. The main intent of
Ignite! is to provide a venue for our students to present their
businesses to the public “igniting” interest and
awareness. The expo has the potential of drawing between 2,000
and 4,000 attendees. Ignite! will also serve as an informational
venue through our public and private partners to a growing audience
wanting to learn more about the services, products and training
available for Bay Area small businesses. |
| 5) |
Oakland’s Drive to Bring
In New Businesses
This is a key focus for the economic development agencies in
Oakland’s city government. The development of the Entrepreneurship
Institute and Oakland Adult Education’s commitment to
small business training is fully supported by the city. With
the projected population increase in Oakland over the next decade,
the need for businesses to accommodate 100,000 new residents
and businesses is unprecedented. |
Class Schedule
All classes are one day per week, three hours per day.
| 1) |
Urban SPARK
| • |
Saturdays, July 8, 2006 to August 5, 2006; 9am to 12pm |
| • |
Mondays, September 11, 2006 - October 9, 2006; 6pm to
9pm |
| • |
Mondays, October 23, 2006 - November 13, 2006; 6pm to
9pm |
| • |
Mondays, January 8, 2007 – February 5, 2007; 6pm
to 9pm |
| • |
Mondays, February 19, 2007 – March 19, 2007; 6pm
to 9pm |
| • |
Mondays, April 2, 2007 – April 30, 2007; 6pm to
9pm |
| • |
Mondays, May 14, 2007 – June 11, 2007; 6pm to
9pm |
|
| 2) |
Urban FIRE
| • |
Saturday, September 9, 2006 – December 9, 2006;
9am to 12pm |
| • |
Saturday, January 13, 2007 – May 19, 2007; 9am
to 12pm |
|
| 3) |
Skills Classes (go
to www.jobtrain.info)
| • |
QuickBooks – See Oakland Adult Ed’s Career
Technology Education Quarterly Schedule |
| • |
Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint - See Quarterly
Schedule |
| • |
Webpage Development – See Quarterly Schedule |
| • |
Basic Video Production – See Quarterly Schedule |
| • |
Customer Service – See Quarterly Schedule |
|
|
