The Australian Government is calling for organisations and individuals to apply to be one of three new Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Employment Facilitators.
From December, the Facilitators will operate in three priority regions experiencing high levels of youth unemployment— Launceston, the Hunter region (including Newcastle) and Cairns — to help young Australians start their own small business.
Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the pioneering initiative will provide practical support to young people who wanted to turn a business idea into a real-life, self-employment enterprise.
“Self-employment and entrepreneurship provide real opportunities for young people who are unemployed, but only a small number take up this option,” Minister Cash said.
“The Turnbull Government is supporting entrepreneurship and self-employment among young people as we fundamentally believe that the best form of welfare is a job.
“Entrepreneurship is a powerful option for overcoming unemployment, however only a small number of job seekers pursue this pathway.”
Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch welcomed the announcement that a dedicated Employment and Entrepreneurship Facilitator will be based in Cairns.
“High youth unemployment is an ongoing challenge for our region but at the same time, we know that young people in the Far North have a wealth of innovative ideas and creativity,” Mr Entsch said.
“Unfortunately, young job seekers often lack the capacity and support to develop these ideas into a successful business.
“It is very daunting to be confronted by barriers such as a lack of training and access to finance, lack of business networks and an inability to assess and choose workable business ideas.
“This is where having a Facilitator in Cairns will provide practical support to help local young people to develop their ideas into successful businesses.”
Announced as part of the Government’s Youth Employment Package in the 2016-17 Budget the Entrepreneurship Facilitators will;
• Promote entrepreneurship and self-employment
• Encourage young people to develop new business ideas
• Assist potential young entrepreneurs in accessing assistance to support and establish their own business
• Link them to existing programs including the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)
Applications are sought from organisations and individuals with strong relevant regional knowledge and a commitment to youth business development, with the position being advertised in media today.
The Department of Employment will also host an information session for potential applicants via webinar on 21 October 2016.
For more information and how to apply call 1300 733 514 or visit: https://www.employment.gov.au/employment-services-procurement-information
Applications close at 5pm AEDT on 3 November 2016.
