A SCHEME that helps crafts people turn their skills into businesses is being launched in Poole.

Etsy, the online market place for handmade and vintage goods, has announced Poole as the base of its second Craft Entrepreneurship Programme in the UK.

The programme was set up in Rockford, Illinois, in 2013, to provide free micro-business training to people with craft skills and a vision to start their own business.

Its four-week course, taking place in two-hour weekly sessions from September 25, will cover topics from business finance and selling online to product photography and marketing.

The Borough of Poole’s arts service is backing the programme, which came about after its arts development officer, Dom Kippin, approached Etsy.

Mr Kippin said: “Learning about Etsy’s partnership in Illinois – where they took online retailing straight into the community – inspired me to think about what support we could give to creative micro-businesses in Poole.”

The course will take place in Poole Central Library and sessions will be delivered by designer, writer and educator Neil Leonard, with support from local Etsy sellers.

Matt Doris, international community programme lead at Etsy, said: “Poole’s history of craftsmanship and manufacturing excellence, particularly in the ceramics industry, made it an ideal choice to become our second UK partner for the programme.

“The Craft Entrepreneurship Programme will support local people by offering a viable path to supplemental income, which can make a real difference in their well-being.”

Etsy seller Rachel Lawrence runs the Dorothy Days vintage and handmade shop and is captain of the Dorset Etsy Team, who will be helping students taking part in the sessions.

She said: “Running a small business is no small feat and requires determination, creativity, people skills and a lot of trial and error. “A lot of those things can't be taught but Etsy has been there for me every step of the way as a sort of backbone for my business and I'm looking forward to introducing a group of talented people to the wonderful ways they can let their businesses grow online by using their own determination and creativity.”

To register for a place on the free course, email arts@poole.gov.uk