Sam is 17 years old, just finished high school in Brisbane and awaiting the all-important OP score before tackling the next stage in life. Expecting to get a good OP score and not sure what type of job appeals a Brisbane University is the most likely next step; but taking a gap year is tempting, then there is this yearning to do something more than further study or working just to have spending money. Sam has this tech idea that keeps taking up more and more oxygen. The idea has been tossed around with a couple of friends and they think it’s a good one, could even go global, one friend wants to work on it together should Sam get serious about it. If only Sam could safely and openly talk to someone about it, other than Mum. The one time it was raised the idea was quickly and completely quashed by her as she pleaded for Sam to take a safe route, get a job or go to Uni. On the internet Sam comes across a government funded project called Youth Entrepreneurial Economic Zone (YEEZ for short), a zone that encapsulates a large part of Central Queensland where under 25-year old’s are encouraged and supported to develop their ideas into fully fledged enterprises. Overseen and managed by an independent board that utilises the resources of the CQUniversity, along with the economic arms of the participating CQ Council’s, each major town in the zone provides specialist mentor and in-the-field support for either primary production, mining, renewable energy production, tourism, logistics, manufacturing or social entrepreneurship projects. Youth participating receive a conditional on-going allowance from the Federal Government, with a rental subsidy (if required). Participants can also apply for funding to provide capital needed to get their tech idea developed to a concept stage at which private investment, with YEEZ’s assistance, is then sought. Sam is quite taken with how YEEZ could make the current fuzzy idea a reality and asks for a prospectus to be sent. A review of the prospectus which details the application process indicates this is no just ‘apply and wait to get accepted’ offer. It involves making a pitch of the idea to a panel. Sam discusses this with the friend interested in working together on it. Making the move from Brisbane to a regional centre is a formidable social hurdle for the near 18-year-old millennials, but the opportunity to work on something of their own in a supportive environment that has a safety net convinces them, they apply to pitch. The next step after leaving school has suddenly becoming exciting, scary, risky, fascinating; and neither had told their mothers yet.
This is just a possible future scenario and way to tackle the growing youth unemployment rate in the regions. YEEZ, I’ve mentioned this concept a number of times in this column and wonder why those paid to tackle youth unemployment appear to not consider the concept. Despite more money thrown at youth unemployment in the regions it continues to get worse. That’s without taking into consideration what is happening with youth under-employment as well. Regions need to provide opportunities that youth find appealing. Appealing enough for them to stay and move here for. Opportunity to develop their own entrepreneurial ideas ticks this box. It’s a long-term project, not every idea will come to fruition, but the learning experience will be invaluable. Get a few wins and it’s a huge game changer, not just for the creators but the region too. YEEZ will have more impact than a convention centre. YEEZ tackles youth unemployment, the decline of the regions, innovation, the talent drain and Australia’s dependence on mining and exporting natural resources. Why is it not therefore a key project for Central Queensland?