Young professionals in the Hunter region can receive much-needed entrepreneurial skills through a free, three-day, bootcamp which is set be held in Newcastle this month (April 7-9).
The Hunter Futurpreneurs program is running the Young Entrepreneurs Bootcamp leading into NSW Youth Week, with support from the City of Newcastle.
The Hunter’s entrepreneurship facilitator, Cheryl Royle, said the bootcamp is for anyone aged between 15 and 25 who wants to set up their own business or for people wanting to gain key employment and enterprise skills.
Participants will create a business solution to a real-world problem with the help of the bootcamp facilitator and other participants. They will present their idea to a panel of local business experts on 22 April.
Cheryl said the bootcamp will be fun and supportive, but also challenging. It will help participants learn to innovate, think on their feet, and be creative.
“There will be a focus on personal development – knowing your own strengths and weaknesses and being more open-minded is an important part of an entrepreneurial mindset,” Cheryl said.
“The bootcamp also focuses on creating sustainable businesses and organisations by using the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”
Those undertaking the bootcamp will continue to benefit through the Youth Entrepreneurs Network, where they will connect with mentors, coaches, innovators, and other participants.
Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes said the new program will be a fantastic resource to help young people develop or grow their business idea.
“We’re committed to becoming a smart, liveable and sustainable global city by delivering high quality services for our city and fostering the innovation, investment and job creation needed for our community to prosper every day,” she said.
“Many successful businesses have been built in our region, offering proof of the importance of encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship in our community.
“City of Newcastle’s Digital Library offers the ideal location for this type of workshop as its range of state-of-the-art digital technologies, such as the free podcasting studio, are designed to ensure our community has the digital skills required to secure jobs and develop their business ideas now and into the future.”
Cheryl said developing entrepreneurial skills is crucial if the Hunter is to be a smart region and remain an economic powerhouse.
She said the definition of entrepreneurship is often too narrow and is not confined to just being a business founder.
“Entrepreneurial people have initiative, self-drive and emotional intelligence; they overcome risk and uncertainty; are flexible, adaptable, creative and innovative; and they aren’t just critical thinkers – they take ownership and solve problems,” she concluded.
The Australian Government funded Hunter Futurepreneurs program offers free resources and mentoring support for people looking to set up a business and works with other organisations to foster the development of entrepreneurial skills in the region.
Registration for the Bootcamp can be found through the Hunter Futurepreneurs website.
IMAGE | Hunter’s entrepreneurship facilitator, Cheryl Royle.
