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Fifteen young locals have proudly graduated from an innovative job-maker program held in Whyalla.
Run by Flinders New Venture Institute with great support from the City of Whyalla, the Be A Job Maker Program was almost filled to capacity with 15 keen Whyalla participants.
The Be A Job Maker program fosters job makers by engaging young people with entrepreneurs, mentors and start-ups to create and turn their innovative ideas into businesses.
The graduation marked the culmination of a six-week intensive course spanning entrepreneurship, career planning and personal leadership. The graduation event included a certificate presentation, a pitch event and networking afternoon tea.
Flinders University Operations Co-ordinator Rachael Hetherington said the program was particularly well received in Whyalla and very timely considering the successful sale of the Arrium group and its Whyalla steelworks.
“We think it’s been a real success, the program has just a discreet maximum number of 16 and to get 15 Whyalla young people to participate and graduate was a great outcome,” Ms Hetherington said.
“Since commencing the program, we’ve seen some of the participants create their own business, gain employment, take on further study or volunteering and expand their networks.
“This program was also very timely, I’ve personally seen a shift happening in Whyalla with the sale of Arrium from when I was here a few months ago to now.
“There’s a real positive vibe and this came through in the course and with the participants.
“They have really seen the blinds being drawn back and were able to see the sort of opportunities that are now out there.”
Local MP Eddie Hughes was present to hand out the graduation certificates and address the participants. The Member for Giles spoke about the changes in Whyalla and the opportunities they would now bring. He said this program, one of only three held in South Australia, was just one of the ways the State Government was able to help Whyalla.
“This program was assigned to Whyalla before the sale of Arrium as there was a definite need to help out the young people to be job ready or prepare people as potential new business operators,” Mr Hughes said.
“It is the State Government’s way of assisting people by providing them with a range of new skills, the sort of skills they would need to gain employment or become an employer.
“This is a good use of public money to prepare young people to play their role in contributing to the Whyalla community and economy.”
Council was a supporter of the event through Youth Advisory Officer Gail Rostig who assisted with outreach, while other council officers addressed the group with the old library site turned into a “pop-up” function space for the graduation.
The Be A Job Maker program was delivered by Flinders New Venture Institute, Career Blueprint, Kiikstart, Sammy D Foundation with the support of Department of Communities and Social Inclusion.
Amber Gentle, Emily Greener and Erin Brice are presented with their graduation certificates by Member for Giles Eddie Hughes
Kayla Milovski, Neika Kairl and Sam Joyce are presented with their graduation certificates by Member for Giles Eddie Hughes.
Thomas Du Preez receives his certificate from Eddie Hughes