As shown above the 8 week long OW process induces large group learning in many areas like project and financial management, contract management, project monitoring, work planning, company formation, HR issues, vocational skills, organisational development and socio-economic literacy – a range of skills referred to in OW terminology as achieving ‘entrepreneurial literacy’. Community cohesion is also greatly enhanced as a result of working together within the ‘family’ of enterprises with a common goal – “to make Marsh Farm a pioneering, forward looking, sustainable and capable community where many more people are able to work and enjoy a quality of life that is full of opportunity and optimism”.
The OW facilitators and technical mentors are available for between 3 months to 1 year after the OW (length of time depending on the enterprise) to provide additional support to the new enterprises, which are now trading in the open market.
