New ‘Craft to Commerce’ programme aims to turn Mid and East Antrim hobbies into real businesses

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Minford Jackson, announces the launch of the new ‘Craft to Commerce’ programme.

A new council-backed initiative launching next month is set to give aspiring crafters across Mid and East Antrim a direct pathway from hobby to income, offering hands-on experience, market exposure, and business support in a push to unlock local creative potential.

The ‘Craft to Commerce’ programme, beginning in June 2026, is designed to help hobby-craft enthusiasts transform their skills into viable business opportunities through a structured four-week programme delivered by the area’s Labour Market Partnership.

Targeted at individuals who are unemployed, economically inactive, or working fewer than 21 hours per week, the initiative focuses on turning informal creativity into sustainable self-employment, with participants gaining both practical experience and commercial insight.

Blending creativity with real-world business skills

Delivered as a flexible, one-day-per-week programme running every Friday throughout June, ‘Craft to Commerce’ combines theory-based learning with practical sessions in a real craft market environment.

Participants will also benefit from visits and input from successful local self-employed creatives, offering first-hand insight into building and sustaining a creative business.

Through shared learning and direct engagement with the local creative economy, the programme aims to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills, build confidence in selling their work, and help them identify real opportunities to generate income from their craft.

The programme will culminate in a public showcase event on Saturday 27 June 2026, giving participants the chance to present and sell their creations in a live market setting.

Backed by regional employment strategy

Funding for the initiative comes from the Department for Communities, with Labour Market Partnerships across Northern Ireland tasked with developing targeted employment action plans tailored to local needs.

These partnerships aim to improve access to meaningful work by connecting individuals with training, skills development, and employment opportunities specific to their area.

In Mid and East Antrim, the programme reflects a growing emphasis on supporting self-employment and micro-enterprises as part of the wider local economy.

Supporting the launch, the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said the programme offers a practical route for people to develop both their craft and their business skills, adding that it provides an opportunity for participants to share their work with others and create products people value.

Who can apply and how to take part

The programme is open to residents aged 18 and over who live in the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area, have the right to work in the UK, and meet eligibility criteria relating to employment status.

Participants must be available to attend one full day per week across the four-week programme in June.

Those interested in applying are asked to email their contact details, including address and postcode, to Debbie Goss at Tuition Time via TuitionTimeByDebbieGoss@yahoo.com, using the subject line ‘Craft to Commerce Programme’.

With limited places available, the initiative is expected to attract strong interest from local creatives looking to take the next step from passion project to potential business.

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At a glance

• ‘Craft to Commerce’ programme launches in June 2026

• Aimed at turning hobby-crafts into viable business opportunities

• Four-week programme delivered one day per week (Fridays)

• Includes real market experience and input from local creatives

• Ends with showcase event on 27 June 2026

• Open to Mid and East Antrim residents aged 18+

• Applicants must be unemployed, economically inactive, or working under 21 hours

• Funded by Department for Communities via Labour Market Partnership

• Applications via email to TuitionTimeByDebbieGoss@yahoo.com