BUDDING entrepreneurs in the Far North will get a significant boost from Monday with the launch of Cairns’ very own Entrepreneurship Facilitator.
Member for Leichhardt, the Hon Warren Entsch MP, has welcomed the appointment of Cairns resident Ms Tara Diversi to the role and is encouraging interested locals to come along to the launch on Monday evening (March 13th) to find out all about this new resource.
“Entrepreneurship Facilitators give young Australians the chance to consider self-employment as a real option – they offer a unique opportunity to connect people with existing local services and programs and provide one-on-one support to overcome the barriers that could be stopping people from starting their own business,” Mr Entsch said.
“Tara is a proven innovator, with strong regional and community knowledge of start-up business development. She has a good mix of experience and qualifications in small business in Cairns, and is passionate about working with young people.
“I have no doubt that Tara’s role will greatly assist in building networks with schools, colleges and business advisory services. Tara can also provide practical assistance including helping people to access local mentors, business partners, finance, office space, equipment and ongoing business development training.”
Mr Entsch said the launch was timely, especially in light of recent figures showing that youth unemployment in the Cairns region has risen from 20.5 per cent in January 2016 to 24.4 per cent in January 2017 – the third highest in the country.
“Persistent high levels of youth unemployment remain a social and economic constraint on our future prosperity,” he explained. “That’s why it’s so important that we have Federal Government initiatives like the Entrepreneurship Facilitator and the jobactive PaTH program to help those young people who are finding it hard to get into the workforce.”
Ms Diversi said she was excited about building a community of young entrepreneurs, and providing opportunities for education, coaching, mentoring and increasing connections in the Cairns region.
“I wish there was something like this when I was starting my small business” she added.
“As a 22 year-old, moving back to Cairns with a freshly printed Masters degree, I never thought that my dream career would be limited by being unable to get a job. I started my business that year, and became an accidental entrepreneur… and I’m so glad I did!
“There are so many exciting things about this role, and the initiative overall. I meet young people everyday that have fantastic ideas, but not the knowledge, skills or networks to develop their idea into successful, sustainable self-employment.
“In my world, working for yourself is the ultimate dream job, and one that should be seen as a legitimate career choice. It is easy to see barriers, but now, more than ever, there are more and more opportunities and fewer barriers to entry.
“When you're young, there is no better time to take a risk. Young people are ‘digital natives’ so find it much easier to navigate through new markets, and they might not have the same responsibilities as they may have when they are older, so with help, it’s a perfect time to have a go at self-employment.
“Current initiatives such as the Entrepreneurship Facilitator, and others offered through the State and Federal Governments, provide fantastic support to bridge the gap that is often filled with time, knowledge and experience.”
The Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said research shows that many young job seekers have promising business ideas, but lack the capacity and support to develop these ideas into a successful business.
“Self-employment and entrepreneurship are fantastic options for young people who are unemployed. Entrepreneurship Facilitators will work on the ground to help support young people to develop their ideas into a business,” Minister Cash said.
Entrepreneurship Facilitators have been appointed in three regions with high youth unemployment and low uptake of self-employment by youth: Cairns, Hunter Valley and Launceston (encompassing North East Tasmania).
The launch will take place on Monday 13th March from 5.30pm at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, with drinks, canapes and live music. Mr Entsch will introduce Ms Diversi and is keen to raise awareness in the region about her role.
Anyone interested in attending should RSVP to Ms Diversi at tara.diversi@yepcairns.com
The launch will kick off a number of local initiatives to help young people, and long term unemployed, enter the workforce in the Far North.
Ms Diversi has commenced providing individual services and accepts referrals from professionals, job networks and self referrals.
On March 22nd, Ms Diversi will launch regularly occurring workshops aimed to help people overcome common entrepreneurial problems in a small-group environment. These will be held alternating Wednesday evening and Friday mornings, covering topics related to all aspects of business including finance, risk, sales, digital, marketing, human resources and business development.
On the 27th and 28th of March, she welcomes 2017 Young Australian of the Year (QLD) Taj Pabari to run a series of inspirational seminars with school students in Babinda, Tully, Atherton and Cairns, along with a public inspirational networking event on the Monday evening.
On April 10th, Mr Entsch will hold an information session with a Department of Employment representative to promote youth and business involvement in the jobactive PaTH program. More information about this event will be released in coming weeks.
For more information about the Entrepreneurship Facilitators, visit https://www.employment.gov.au/entrepreneurship-facilitators
