Tony Piccolo MP with ex Mark Oliphant College students Iradukunda Samuel and Manny Singh and VET co-ordinator at the College Angie Corbo

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Trinity College senior students Ethan Gallie and Erin Sowerly with Tony Piccolo MP and Mayor GlennDocherty

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Education and Child Development Minister Susan Close has officially launched the Young Entrepreneur Program Pilot at the Stretton Centre, in Adelaide’s North.

The pilot program will be delivered to young people, aged 15-26 years, living or studying in the Greater Gawler and City of Playford areas, with 12-15 students to be selected through a competitive process.

The program is managed by the Stretton Centre, a business unit of the City of Playford, and will engage a range of collaborators to deliver the whole program during 2018.

In launching the program, Ms Close said she was pleased to launch the Young Entrepreneurship program today, to provide students in the North of Adelaide the opportunity to develop their passion and product concepts into Marketable skills and ideas.

“We know that the students who take part in this program are tomorrow’s business owners, entrepreneurs and industry leaders,” Ms Close said.

“This Labor government is committed to preparing all students for the jobs of the future, and helping them to become inNovative, creative and resilient adults,” she said.

Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo said he is excited about the opportunities the program will provide young people in area.

“The young people who will be selected for the program will have an entrepreneurial and inNovation mindset and with the right guidance and support will be able to achieve great things,” Mr Piccolo said.

“Some young people often have the ideas and passion to succeed but sometimes lack the support, to help them to convert them into reality.

“The program will involve formal presentations, access to a mentor and webinars for just in time information.

“The young people will learn what is required to convert a great idea into a great product or service.

“It could be either a business or social enterprise,” he said.

City of Playford Mayor, Glenn Docherty said this is a fantastic initiative and gives our younger people the opportunity to chase and realise their business dreams.

“This program inspires the next generation of business ideas that will create the jobs of the future for our local community,” Mr Docherty said.

Stretton Centre Director, Mr Dermot Cussen said GigCity Precincts in Playford and Gawler further enhances the opportunity for YEPP participants to develop their new business ideas and models in collegiate and entrepreneurial environments.

The program is funded through a $120,000 grant provided by the Departments of Premier and Cabinet, Communities and Social Inclusion, State Development and Education.Expressions of interest can be lodged online at http://strettoncentre.com.au/