WHAT ARE OPPORTUNITY CENTRES

• The Department of Economic Development has introduced the Opportunity Centre’s (OC) business model as an intervention to contribute to the development and support of Small Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and Cooperatives
• SMMEs are guided on how to register their businesses, develop business plans; assisted in analyzing business models and identifying corrective actions that can help grow and sustain their businesses.
• There's a need to address the high levels of youth unemployment in the City. The rollout of the City's Opportunity Seekers' Database (OSD).

Strategic intent:

Foster a culture of entrepreneurship through City support for SMMEs and reform of the City’s approach to the informal sector.

Intervention Framework

• Promotion of the Informal Economy
• Expand Access to the Opportunity Centre Network
• Promote the Collaborative Economy

OBJECTIVES

• To promote sustainable small businesses by providing advice, support, and referral/s.
• To assist businesses to succeed and become viable.
• To empower SMMEs with the right tools and training.
• To provide entrepreneurs who require guidance direction on their entrepreneurship journey.
• To promote innovative idea generation.
• To provide a job seekers registration database to connect the unemployed to both public and private organizations.

Services offered at the Opportunity Centre

Training Services
• Business Management (financial management, bookkeeping, people management)
• Business planning
• Business idea generation
• Marketing strategy development
• Supply-chain training so clients can gain increased access to markets
Consultation Services
• One on one consultation
• No consultation fees for clients, and ability for them to benefit from general guidance
• Referral to relevant business support services
• Guidance on business planning, and on compliance issues relating to tax and financial management
• Better access to funding through services provided by OC partners
• Community outreach programs – especially serving the poor
Facilities Usage for Business
• Access to boardroom use for business (e.g. Meeting, presentation, interview etc.) Access to internet/Wi-Fi for business use (e.g. research, market opportunities, preparation of business proposals etc.