Aspiring entrepreneurs and small business people in the Bundaberg Region can now receive practical assistance and support through a new local Entrepreneurship Facilitator.
Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt congratulated Bundaberg Business Enterprise Centre which was successful in its application to offer the program to the region which covers the Wide Bay-Burnett area including Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Gympie.
“The new facilitator will encourage entrepreneurship and self‑employment, with a focus on providing support to mature‑age people, but anyone wanting to start their own business can access the services,” Mr Pitt said.
“We know that if you lose your job over the age of 50, it is harder and takes longer to get back into the labour market.
“Older Australians have a lifetime of skills and are often well placed to become successful entrepreneurs. The Entrepreneurship Facilitator will provide practical support, including tailored mentoring and referring people to services to help them start and run their own business.
“Helping people understand what’s required to start or grow a small business, develop a marketing strategy, understand cash flow and develop a budget are just some of the services that facilitators can offer.”
Program will drive small business growth
Bundaberg Business Enterprise Centre manager Marcus McCormick said the team was excited to be delivering Entrepreneurship Facilitator Services across the Wide Bay Burnett region.
“This program provides a great opportunity to drive new business growth and will support those who are interested in establishing a business, to take the required steps to give them the best chance of success,” Mr McCormick said.
“We have brought a team of Entrepreneurship Facilitators together who each have skills and experience in establishing and running their own businesses.
“They will provide friendly and personalised service and will be available to meet with and provide one on one support to entrepreneurs and establishing business owners. Our facilitators will also coordinate a number of informative business workshops across the region.”
“We are currently in the process of establishing the services and will have offices open in Bundaberg and Gympie five days per week.
“We congratulate the Australian Government on making this important service available within our region and we look forward to working with the region’s entrepreneurs and business owners over the coming years”.