Budding entrepreneurs hone skills at global training forum

Young people from around the world will learn what it takes to bring an enterprising idea into reality at an Australian-first global training forum starting on the Sunshine Coast tomorrow.

Minister for State Development John Mickel today said he welcomed the 68 students and 22 teaching facilitators from Queensland, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia who had traveled to the region to take part in Enterprisers Australia 2007.

Held at the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast (30 January - 2 February), Enterprisers Australia is designed to give aspiring entrepreneurs the practical, training, as well as support and inspiration, needed to develop a thriving venture.

University students who are in the early stages of developing an idea or building an entrepreneurial career, but need to develop their skills further to get started, are taking part in the intensive, four-day training program.

More than 50 participants from Queensland universities are attending the event.
Mr Mickel said the Department of State Development provided $66,000 to bring Enterprisers to Australia for the first time.

“Enterprisers is an initiative of the Cambridge-MIT Institute Limited (CMI) – a joint venture between the University of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. More than 750 students have been taught in 12 training forums across the UK and the US since Enterprisers started in 2002,” he said.

“It’s a real coup to bring Enterprisers to the Smart State. The University of the Sunshine Coast’s Innovation Centre is coordinating the Australian program, and the Sunshine Coast is the first location in the world to develop Enterprisers outside of the UK and the US.”

Mr Mickel said the program featured a range of interactive workshops covering topics such as: how to spot a good business opportunity; prepare for writing a business plan or marketing a product; make strategic decisions; and develop and present a pitch.

“The week is basically focused on developing the participant’s creative, project planning, team building, leadership, networking and other entrepreneurial skills so they have the foundations to get innovating.”

Dr Shailendra Vyakarnam from the University of Cambridge and Professor Neal Hartman from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will lead a group of 22 international teaching facilitators, including Tomas Passeggi, 27, from Buderim.

Tomas was one of three Sunshine Coast students chosen to take part in the Enterprisers UK event in June last year. He planned to devise a youth program incorporating therapeutic recreation and the performing arts using his experience in music and theatre, and as a social science student at the University of Sunshine Coast.

“Since attending Enterprisers in the UK, and with help from the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast, I’ve been continuing to make contact with community organisations. Last week I ran my first drama workshop for young people for an agency called Youth Focus in Caloundra,” he said.

“My plan now is to try and put together a three month program where young people can take part in workshops on a weekly basis and be involved in a live performance at the end.

“I’m really excited about being a teaching facilitator in Enterprisers Australia. I learnt a lot being a participant, it really helped me fast track my business idea and I’ll probably learn a lot more being a teacher as well.”

Mr Mickel said Enterprisers was a great initiative of the University of the Sunshine Coast and was a practical demonstration of the results that can be achieved through collaboration with leading local and international organisations.

“Encouraging the business education, skills and innovation of young, talented people is vital towards promoting the Smart State’s entrepreneurial culture and biggest economic driver, small business, flourishing,” Mr Mickel said.

“The event will help put Queensland’s young innovators and entrepreneurs on par with the best in the world, and show that this State is at the forefront in bridging the gap between university and the workplace.”

Andrew Mitchell, Enterprisers Australia, Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast (07) 5459 4567
Tomas Passeggi 0414 547 855
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784
29 January 2007