Member Article

Northumberland entrepreneur launches automotive startup after being made redundant

Scott Carroll established his automotive repair and refinish business Autoworks Developments with help from The Northumberland Youth Enterprise Fund.

The Northumberland Youth Enterprise Fund which is run by the Employability and Skills Service at Northumberland County Council, is open to young people aged 16-25 who are considering setting up their own business or who have recently started up their own business.

After leaving school, Scott who is 25, completed an apprenticeship at a vehicle bodyshop in Hexham and completed his NVQ level 3 in Automotive Repairs and Refinishing.

After Scott’s employer lost a major contract, resulting in his redundancy, Scott was motivated to become his own boss and he felt he would enjoy nothing better than to begin a business in a trade which he was passionate about.

He applied to the Northumberland Youth Enterprise Fund and received a grant to help with his initial marketing. Scott also received tailored support from the Employability and Skills Service.

Scott said: “Earning the first pound I ever made felt like a million pounds to me. From starting off with absolutely nothing and working my way up to where I am now is the best feeling ever.

“I strongly recommend any young person who is thinking about setting up their own business to get in touch.”

Scott is planning on investing in a bigger workshop and hopes to employ staff of his own sometime in the near future.

Applications are now open for anyone aged 16-25 who is considering starting their own business. The closing date for applications is the end of August.

For further information on the Northumberland Youth Enterprise Fund and to apply please visit www.northumberland.gov.uk/NYEF

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .