TRADESTART · GECP Foundation

Turn your trade into your next chapter.

Supporting apprenticeship graduates and young tradespeople through productive tools, enterprise training, mentoring and market connections.

Discover our work ↗Enterprise support enquiry →

A community built around
what people can become.

TRADESTART

Learn.
Connect.
Grow.

Potential, put into practice.From apprenticeship to sustainable enterprise.

What would you like
to discover?

Find your place

Who TRADESTART connects.

Different starting points. A shared interest in learning, contribution and practical progress.

Apprenticeship graduates

Explore the transition from technical practice to organising a small enterprise. Identify the tools, routines and customer relationships your next step would require.

Tradespeople developing an enterprise

Bring questions about readiness, productive assets, mentoring and market connections. TRADESTART Green and Digital are proposed development pathways.

Mentors and industry partners

Contribute practical business experience, sector knowledge or opportunities to understand customer needs. Support arrangements are discussed individually.

From interest to action

What your pathway could look like.

Use these steps to prepare a conversation. Specific opportunities and delivery arrangements are confirmed by the programme team.

Describe your trade

Tell the team what you practise, your experience and the enterprise stage you are exploring.

Identify the next capability

Separate technical, organisational and market questions. Prioritise one area where support could help you make progress.

Discuss a support pathway

Explore relevant mentoring, training or productive-asset planning. Enquiries do not guarantee finance, equipment or a place on a programme.

Before you take the next step

Your questions, answered.

Start here, then use the programme enquiry form for questions about your own circumstances.

Does TRADESTART automatically provide tools or funding?

No. Productive assets are an area of programme development. Specific support, eligibility and availability require confirmation.

Can I enquire before starting a business?

Yes. Describe your trade and the stage you are at so the team can understand the preparation you want to explore.

Purpose into practice

Explore what we’re building.

Discover the service areas and initiatives shaping TRADESTART. Contact us for current participation and delivery information.

Enterprise readiness

Business preparation, enterprise bootcamps and mentoring.

Productive assets and market linkage

Planning for tools, equipment stewardship and market access.

TRADESTART Green

Proposed pathways for sustainable livelihoods and green enterprise.

TRADESTART Digital

Proposed digital capabilities for trades and enterprise.

TRADESTART · Programme journal

Go deeper.
Keep moving forward.

Perspectives, practical questions and ideas from our programme focus areas.

Explore the journal →

Productive assets · 12 Nov 2026

Start with the work before making a tool wish list

A productive-asset plan begins with the work an item is intended to support. Explain the task, the setting and the capability required. This gives a clearer basis for discussion than a list …

Read article →

Enterprise readiness · 12 Nov 2026

From knowing a trade to organising an enterprise

Technical competence and enterprise organisation are related but different capabilities. A tradesperson may be confident in the work itself while still developing routines for enquiries, planning and customer communication. Recognising the difference …

Read article →

Ideas, experience & new perspectives

From across our community.

Explore insights →

Programme insight

Start with the work before making a tool wish list

A productive-asset plan begins with the work an item is intended to support. Explain the task, the setting and the capability required. This gives a clearer basis for discussion than a list of equipment without context.

Explore more →

Programme insight