Juniors and seniors from Charleston, Mattoon and Oakland high schools will have the opportunity to learn how to start a business by attending the Coles County Entrepreneurship Class.

A total of $162,500 was committed by 60 businesses to fund the class during a three-year period.

The funds committed to this project pay for operational expenses and for teachers’ salary and benefits.

Jeanne Dau, the director of the Eastern Business Solutions Center, said the class will give students the chance to learn how to start a business or venture at a young age in life when there are low risks and they do not have to worry about paying a mortgage or student loans.

“They will also learn about networking with the community and skills that they will be able to use for the rest of their lives,” Dau said. “With these skills they will be able to put resources together and create something of value to present to the world.”

Dau said one of the main goals of the class is to encourage the creation of more locally based businesses to provide more jobs and revenue for Coles County.

Some of the skills taught to the students include problem solving, professional business etiquette and creativity skills.

Students will also be taught how to promote their product through writing and to handle profits and losses through financial skills, she said.

“One of the greatest benefits of the class is that it is a very well-rounded program that teaches many different skills and offers a direct connection with the local business community,” Dau said.

The Coles County Entrepreneurship Class begins in Fall 2012, and application information will be available in December.

Dau said they worked on the curriculum and vision of the project for about five years, and was implemented in Effingham three years ago.

“It was easy to get the project started here because we had a better framework on which to build upon,” Dau said. “Many business partners have provided not only financial support for the class, but also their time and talent to mentor students in the classroom.”

Dau said the project requires the effort and support of a lot of people including the 60 business owners and the 12 members of the Coles County Entrepreneurship Community Board.

She said the class size is expected to be between 20 and 25 students and each student will be assigned a mentor.

Rachel Rodgers can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].