UNEMPLOYED women are being given a chance to start up in business with a new course being launched today at Oxford Brookes University.

The course is exclusively for women who have not had paid jobs for at least two years.

Training will be angled towards business start-up in tourism or related services.

The course will run two afternoons a week for six months and will include computer training as well teaching the skills needed to run a business.

Course director Roger Mumby-Croft said no educational qualifications are needed and there are no fees to pay.

He said: "Whilst there are plenty of jobs for women in tourism, the majority of managers in these businesses are men.

"To help redress the balance, the European Social Fund will pay the fees for women who are out of the workplace to do this course.

"It is an ideal opportunity for women returning to work after bringing up a family to learn today's business skills.

"The reason we are angling the training towards tourism is that we are one of Britain's most popular tourist areas and there is scope to start up small businesses locally with relatively little capital, such as guest houses, shops, catering and guided tours.

"With our training the chances of success and expansion are all the greater."

More information is available from Barbara Moran on Oxford 484875.

Women in work were given another boost this week with the launch of the Oxford Register of Tradeswomen. Women on the register believe there is a market for their skills among the elderly, lone parents and different cultural groups who feel more comfortable with a woman worker. The register is being launched by the Oxford Women's Training Scheme, which gives training in woodwork, painting and decorating.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.