Employment and business development project underway in Cherbourg
21st April 2010
Following a successful Jobs Fund application in November 2009, BIEDO has started work on an indigenous employment and business development project.
The million dollar "Murri Network Project" is now fully underway in conjunction with key partners, Silver Lining, Bunya Wakka Wakka Cultural Heritage Corporation, Tarong Energy, The Indigenous Knowledge Centre and Cherbourg State School.
CEO of BIEDO, Linda Silburn, says the main aim of the project is to ensure indigenous people in the South Burnett have the skills and confidence to enter and remain in professional employment and/or niche self-employment.
"The initial program will run for 15 months, but a key intention is to make it sustainable. We have some very high goals and all the partners are working very hard to make sure the program is a great success," Linda said.
The project is aiming for the following goals:
- 34 real jobs created
- 13 new micro-enterprises created
- 34 graduates of specific training achieved
It is a multi-faceted employment programme comprising:
- employment pathways between the Cherbourg community and business,
- self employment through micro-enterprises
- work readiness pathways into mainstream companies such as Tarong Energy
- work experience and traineeships
"Rather than create a new service, this project will be achieved by co-ordinating existing, successful indigenous employment initiatives into a coherent working partnership that escalates employment outcomes, generates resource & service efficiencies, and enhances agency capacity. It will also help participants overcome barriers to employment such as lack of transport," Linda said.
Another key part of the project will be "micro-loans", offering small grants to indigenous people wanting to kick-start their own micro-business. Criteria for eligibility will be tight, however the project will nurture innovative ideas and also provide a "Business Angel" to work with people keen to establish a business.
Bringing the partners together and managing the project is BIEDO Project Coordinator, Ray Wilton. Ray has been pulled out of retirement to take up the role and he's looking forward to seeing some great results.
If you'd like further information about the project, please contact Ray on 4164 2379, or call the BIEDO office on 4169 7851.
