Thimphu TechPark Ltd. in collaboration with Entrepreneurship Promotion Division under the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship (DoEE), MoLHR organized a 15-day Basic Entrepreneurship course for 31 laid-off employees of Drayang from 8- 25 April, 2022.

The course was curated to acquaint the participants with basic skills and attributes of entrepreneurship by providing guidelines to successfully operationalize and implement their business ideas into action. They were also introduced to basic ideas of business bookkeeping, marketing strategies, business plan, and pitching. Further, resource persons from various business sectors shared their personal experiences.

During the training, 19 business ideas were generated, which were mostly in the service and production industry such as Mushroom farming, Homestays, Chips, Local products, Handicrafts, and Bakery. During the closing ceremony on 25 April, 2022,  top 8 business ideas were selected through multiple rounds of idea pitching competition and presented to a panel of judges. Eventually, top 4 business ideas were awarded a cash prize of Nu. 50,000 each by MoLHR with an objective to help them kick start their businesses. The top 4 business ideas were, Mushroom farming, Homestay, Handicraft, and Fruit cocktail.

All the participants were awarded with a certificate of participation. The Ministry will also be providing post training support such as critical skills training under business acceleration program, Nu. 5000 each for those who start their business through Youth Engagement and Leadership Program, and other facilitation support. The participants shared that they are keen on undergoing relevant skill training like baking and tailoring after the completion of the training.