For creative people going through redundancy and wanting to set up a business of their own.

Who's it aimed at?

If you've been employed, are going through redundancy and want to set up as self- employed, this is the course you can't afford to miss.

It's particularly aimed at creative people, production folk and anyone who feels like running for the hills when they hear the words 'tax return'.

No previous knowledge of self-employment is necessary. And it doesn't matter what kind of business you're setting up. It could be anything from consulting to dog grooming, production work to jewellery making.

What's the focus?

Setting up on your own is daunting when you've not done it before. So we go through ways to organise yourself, how to get to grips with the big changes coming up in taxation, and plenty of short cuts so that you can hit the ground running.

Areas covered include:

why self-employment is different from employment
why a sole trader is different from a limited company
separating out your personal and business finances
what is tax and national insurance
paperwork you need to keep (and how to keep it without going mad)
getting ready for Making Tax Digital: digital record keeping
how not to run out of cash
understanding your market
how not to work too hard

What resources will I get?

You'll get templates and downloads aplenty so that you're not wasting your precious time and can focus on being great at the fun stuff. And everything’s online for you.

Who's the trainer?

David Thomas has been running his famous 'setting up as a sole trader' courses for redundant staff for 13 years. Clients include the BBC, ITV and indies. David understands what you're going through. He set up his own small business after 22 years of employment at the BBC.

It can be done!

Cancellation Policy

We appreciate that when circumstances change you may no longer be able to attend a training course date you have already booked and paid for.

Whilst we will always try our best to accommodate any alterations to your plans, BECTU has a standard cancellation policy which is as follows:

if you notify us (phone/email) 3 full days or longer before the scheduled course date you will not be charged and will be refunded in full any course fees you have paid.

for any cancellation you make that is less than 3 full days before the course date, you will be charged 50% of the total course fee with 50% refunded. This is unless you can demonstrate to us extenuating circumstances.
if you do not attend the course and/or fail to notify us in advance you will be charged the full course fee.
we are unable to reimburse any non-transferable travel or accommodation expenses that may arise from a course being re-scheduled or cancelled.

BECTU reserves the right to cancel courses without liability. However, where possible, delegates will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Beyond Redundancy: Setting up as a Sole Trader (July - Nov courses)