Course Description

Older adults - armed with a lifetime of knowledge, skills and experience - have a self-owned business survival rate that vastly outperforms that of younger demographics. The data shows us that older entrepreneurs are vital and energizing components of their communities and can be drivers of job creation. 

Despite this overwhelming success, a real perception barrier prevents many older adults from seeing themselves as entrepreneurs. From a lack of confidence in themselves, their skills, and their ideas, to barriers to accessing funding and support, many older adults may feel discouraged from pursuing entrepreneurial ideas. This training aims to change that by presenting entrepreneurship as a skill set that older adults are uniquely positioned to take advantage of and help older adults with professed or latent entrepreneurial ideas pursue their goals. 

In this learning plan, we will explore the unique needs and strengths of older adults pursuing entrepreneurship, including challenging perceptions of “suitability” and helping older adults visualize themselves as entrepreneurs by exploring their interests and aptitudes. We will introduce you to assessment tools and resources that can help you in supporting your older adult clients in building their confidence and skills to realize their self-employment goals and help you refine your own practice when it comes to working with this unique demographic. 

Module 1:  

Entrepreneurship goes far beyond just starting a business. What we're starting to understand is the thing we call "entrepreneurial spirit" is more of a series of skills, traits, values and experiences that combine to create the opportunities and aptitudes for expressing one's own personal vision for the future in a unique and self-motivated way. In this course, we will examine the qualities, characteristics and traits that drive entrepreneurs of all ages, and look at the unique traits of older adults that synthesize well with ambitions of self-employment. 

Module 2: 

Many older adults - despite having the skills, aptitudes, experience and interest in self-employment - often don't see them selves as potential entrepreneurs. This can be due to real and perceived barriers keeping them from fully embracing that vision of their future. In this course we will look at how to explore that vision with clients and help them see how entrepreneurship can help them realize their goals and build their confidence. 

Module 3: 

Modern entrepreneurship encompasses so much more than just starting a business; it can be a way to affect change in our communities and build lasting institutions for good. In this course we will explore some of the types of entrepreneurial projects older adults can start - from for-profit businesses to not-for-profit, social enterprise, charities and side-hustles, and non-traditional expressions of the entrepreneurial spirit. 

Module 4: 

An entrepreneurial ecosystem is an interconnected set of systems and supports designed to get entrepreneurs from the inception point of their business to the realization stage. In this module we will look at the types of supports that commonly exist for entrepreneurs in your communities, how they can best serve your clients, and provide a resource of locations that offer support. 

Module 5: 

In this module we look at 3 tools for helping clients assess their entrepreneurial ideas: the AIM model, the Just Enough Feasibility Assessment, and the SAFE Evaluation. We will explore when and how to use these tools to build client agency and how to tailor your approach to fit your client's unique situation. 

Competencies to be Developed (Competencies based on National Competency Profile for Career Development Professionals)

Module 1: 

• Service Delivery Process (11.3) - Help clients develop goals and action plans 
• Client Work Search Strategies (15.4) - Work with clients to develop value proposition 

Module 2: 

• Client-Practitioner Relationship (3.2) - Build self-agency 
• Diversity and Inclusion (4.1) - Respect diversity and inclusion 
• Diversity and Inclusion (4.2) - Promote diversity and inclusion 
• Client Work Search Strategies (15.4) - Work with clients to develop value proposition 

Module 3: 

• Client-Practitioner Relationship (3.2) - Build self-agency 
• Learning and Job Readiness (12.1) - Explore learning and employment possibilities 

Module 4: 

• Service Delivery Process (11.4) - Select and monitor interventions 
• Service Delivery Process (11.5) - Help client build support network 
• Learning and Job Readiness (12.1) - Explore learning and employment possibilities 

Module 5: 

• Client-Practitioner Relationship (3.2) - Build self-agency 
• Learning and Job Readiness (12.1) - Explore learning and employment possibilities 
• Career Resources (14.3) - Use assessment tools and approaches

Learning Opportunity

• Define modern entrepreneurship in a broader, more inclusive way. 
• Recognize the unique strengths and motivations of older adults that can be leveraged when starting a self-owned business. 
• Help older adults identify what types of businesses they want to start. 
• Learn how to best support older adult clients in pursuing entrepreneurship. 
• Conduct activities and assessments with clients to help them align their vision with their goals. 
• Understand the “entrepreneurial ecosystem” and the various stakeholders that comprise it. 
• Connect clients with organizations that can support them in incubating or leveling up their startup idea. 
• Help clients reframe their experience into strength and their passion into action. 

Course Structure

This learning plan consists of five self-directed modules.
It will take approximately 2.5 hours to complete.