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INDIGENOUS TRUST
Tauranga
WHO and WHERE
Company Creations Youth Initiative is a pilot project undertaken by the Indigenous Trust in Tauranga for youth of the western Bay of Plenty who have had minimal opportunities, or have been alienated or excluded by mainstream educational institutions and/or are unemployed.
AIM
To provide these young people with opportunities that will eventually lead to meaningful long term employment by introducing them to both personal development and basic business skills.
PROGRAMME
In March 2003 the Indigenous Trust hosted the Lion Business Experience, an intense interactive 3-day programme which targeted teenagers excluded from the traditional schooling system who were in alternative education programmes or were unemployed.
70 teenagers attended, working in groups of 10 to develop business ideas and create a business plan.
From these participants those who wished to continue were interviewed and 12 were selected for the pilot programme Company Creation Youth Initiatives.
This 8 week course covered personal development issues - team building, communication skills, self confidence, leadership and coping skills, time management and presentation skills. Participants were introduced to
administration and reporting, the Young Enterprise Scheme, Business Start Up
and Be Your Own Boss, preparing a business plan, financial management and accounting, marketing, raising capital/funding assistance, and legal issues.
“Youth-at-risk and wayward teenagers have similarities with enterprising people and entrepreneurs in that they go against the grain, have finely tuned senses of survival and are willing to take more risks”
Kelly Sadler, Company Creations Programme Director
The course successfully brought both these groups together - one to share their expertise and the other to benefit from it.
WHAT WE GAVE MONEY FOR
The Employment Catalyst in partnership with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, gave $34,725 for this pilot project.
PROGRESS
The Programme Co-ordinator was satisfied with the outcomes.
Of the 12 participants:
1 has qualified for the WINZ enterprise grant
4 are undertaking further training programmes
3 took advantage of the kiwifruit season employment
4 did not complete the programme
The four who pursued further training still have their business plans and two are in the early stages of business set up. The other two intend to establish their business ventures at the completion of their respective courses.
Organisers report that of the four who did not complete the programme, "one had been distracted by peer pressure and three had difficulties at home."
Suggestions for future courses:
The Programme
Increase the programme from 8 weeks to 12-14 weeks
Amend Young Enterprise Scheme Material to suit at risk youth.
Offer a range of small business ideas that participants could choose from and pursue successfully throughout the programme.
Earlier team development, involvement, commitment
Recruitment
Either a minimum age of 18 or an association with a formal organisation that the young person would be accountable to.
Retention
Provide transport
Encourage more support and involvement from caregivers, families
Investigate a “training incentive allowance’.
PARTNERS and SUPPORTERS
Chamber of Commerce Tauranga
Community Employment Group
Te Puni Kokiri
Department of Work and Income
Poutama Trust
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Department of Work and Income
Community Employment
Group
Chamber of commerce Tauranga
Te Puni Kokiri
Poutama Trust
— Stuart Crosby, Mayor of Tauranga
Project Contacts
Alicia Conklin
INDIGENOUS TRUST
Compass Community Village
PO Box 6109
Tauranga
Ph: 07 571 3722
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