Rotorua-based charities and non-profits are wanted to participate in a free 12-week business training programme to help set them up for long term success.

The training is run in partnership between Rotorua X and Firestation, a central north island Business Growth Centre.

Programme director Darren McGarvie says these programmes have a proven track record and cater for all ages and stages of business and non-profits.

'These programmes focus on how to build and plan for long-term success.”

'Regardless of whether an organisation is for profit or a non-profit they still need strong foundations in place to be successful. We have developed the training to cater for both commercial and non-profit organisations because ultimately they all have the same challenges around planning, marketing, finance, sales and generating income.”

'We are incredibly lucky with support from Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust that we can offer free places for non-profits. Subsidised places are also available for commercial businesses.”

'We know our programmes work. What makes them stand out is that they are execution focussed. What action will they take to implement what they have learned to take their organisation forward.”

More than 180 organisations have gone through these programmes across Rotorua, Kawerau, South Waikato and Taupo. The programmes are subsidised by councils, economic development agencies and Trusts to help support economic growth and create local jobs.

The programmes include group-based training, group review sessions where participants share challenges and successes and one-on-one business coaching sessions. In the final session participants present their launch or growth plan for their organisation.

There are three programmes available that cater to all ages and stage of an organisation. ACTIVATE for someone who has an idea for a business or non-profit and needs help to get it off the ground, INCUBATE for people who have a smaller organisation up and running through to ACCELERATE for medium sized enterprises with five or more staff.

Megan Kusabs, the regional manager of the Graeme Dingle Foundation Rotorua recently completed the Incubate programme and encourages other non-profits to do the course.

'The Graeme Dingle Foundation is well established nationally, but our organisation is new to Rotorua. With a new trust, new team and new relationships I applied for Incubate to help our organisation establish and grow in the Rotorua community.”

'We have a small team passionate about youth development and work with primary and intermediate school children delivering our Kiwi Can programme.”

'Kiwi Can is unique as we are the only programme that works with this age group for this length of time. We partner with our schools and have weekly classes with every student at the school. Over time this could mean that a child benefits from our programme for their entire primary and intermediate years.”

'Our fun and engaging lessons instil in our tamariki that the strength they have within them in is stronger than any obstacles they will face in their life. We build them up and give them this grounding and belief in themselves before they get to high school.”

'Being part of the Incubate training programme was great and everything was incredibly well organised. I believe this experience will help me to drive our team to success in Rotorua.”

'The best part was the opportunity to build confidence in areas of business management I have limited experience with. The facilitators made all the content feel very accessible.”

'We are already seeing the benefits. I feel Incubate has made a difference and like it has triggered a turning point.”

Applications close Monday 18 March, with the programmes starting early April. For more information or to apply go to www.bit.ly/FS-Bus