Women’s Economic Ventures will host free, one-hour orientation sessions for its 14-week Self- Employment Training course that starts in September. Participants must attend an orientation session before they can register for the full course.

The Ventura orientation will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Wed., Aug. 25. The Thousand Oaks orientation will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Mon., Aug. 23. The sessions will be in English.

The course runs for 14 consecutive weeks, one night a week for three hours, and includes two full Saturdays. The course is taught in Thousand Oaks and Ventura.

The 56-hour Self-Employment Training program is targeted to women but also serves men and provides guidance on how to start, operate or expand a business.

Participants leave the course with a complete business plan and a core network to help sustain the business.

The program provides weekby week training in organizing, financing, marketing and managing a small business. Topics include finances, marketing and sales.

For more information and event location, call (805) 965- 6073 or visit www.wevonline.org.