“The flood gates opened from the moment we put out the call for volunteers to be trained through us by the Institute of Business Advisors,” said Executive Director Dr Dax Basdeo.

“We’ve been scrambling to make space for the many individuals and organisations that have come forward.”

The Chamber of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, the Cayman Islands Development Bank (CIDB), Department of Children and Family Services, the Ministry of Tourism, the Cayman Angel Investors Network (CAIN), and a number of private sector volunteers will all be participating.

Two representatives from each of the Go East District Committees will also be trained as business counsellors and mentors for entrepreneurs in their district.

“The small business sector is a vital part of the Cayman Islands’ economy and we are thrilled to see such tremendous interest in this new trend of professionals becoming business mentors and counsellors, with training through the Investment Bureau,” said Minister for Investment and Commerce, Hon Charles Clifford.

Dr Basdeo said that the Investment Bureau often calls on professionals in the local business community to conduct workshops on various business-related topics. This programme offers recognised training to those advisors.

Co-sponsored by the Department of Employment Relations, the series of day-long training sessions are from 26 February through 2 March at the Investment Bureau.

Course instructor Geoff Abbott is a Business Professor at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, and has been a member of the Institute of Business Advisors (IBA) since 1993.

Participants will receive certificates from the Institute of Business Advisors and Anglia Ruskin University.

Contact the Cayman Islands Investment Bureau for details on future workshops and training, 945-0943 or email info@investcayman.gov.ky