- The Queensland Government is further boosting its support to Queensland First Nations small businesses, training and employment pathways through three key initiatives in 2023-24.
- The first initiative is ground breaking first-of-its-kind Queensland Indigenous Business Network (QBIN) will be established and led by First Nations people to help Indigenous-owned small businesses grow and thrive.
- The second initiative will see a total of $1.86 million allocated in the first round of the Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant to support 10 Indigenous-designed and led projects.
- The third initiative sees $800,000 approved for the First Nations Training Strategy Mentoring Program to provide tailored and culturally-led mentoring to guide and grow First Nations businesses across Queensland.
The Queensland Indigenous Business Network (QIBN) will be independent of government and provide services to support First Nations business growth, employment growth and community success.
The Queensland Indigenous Business Network intends to support Indigenous businesses through a variety of ways, including establishing regional hubs and providing business mentoring.
In addition, the Queensland Indigenous Business Network will link First Nations businesses to procurement opportunities and connect businesses to local networks and stakeholders as well as provide a channel of representative voice, services, and support to Indigenous businesses throughout Queensland.
The first round of the Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant supports 10 projects that equip First Nations participants with in-demand skills and customised accredited and non-accredited training from security operations, to forklift driving and community services.
Through the First Nations Training Strategy Mentoring Program more than 4400 First Nations small business owner-managers will benefit from a tailored and culturally-led mentoring initiative to help them build new business skills and grow their enterprises.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer:
"The Queensland Indigenous Business Network is ground-breaking. Investment in QIBN is an investment in the creativity and enterprise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
"Through the QIBN, Indigenous businesses owners will be able to share their successes, challenges and opportunities, enabling collaboration and partnerships well into the future.
"The Queensland Indigenous Procurement Policy has helped grow and develop a diverse and sustainable Indigenous business sector in Queensland and we are looking to Queensland Indigenous Business Network to help us expand on that.
"The Queensland Government wants to uphold Indigenous culture across the Queensland economy, and this will be a wonderful way to do that.
"Likewise in the first round of Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grants we are seeing unique projects and partnerships to help First Nations people address skill shortages and respond to local needs. With this new grant program, I know we will see First Nations people entering and re-entering the Queensland workforce with more skills, greater confidence and an even deeper connection to the community.
"The $8.3 million Paving the Way – First Nations Training Strategy (FNTS) was a Palaszczuk Government election promise which was launched in September 2022. It is a key commitment under the Queensland Government's Future Skills Fund.
"We have allocated $4million for the Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant program until 30 June 2024. The $800,000 for the Mentoring Program will fund Indigenous designed and led projects that support local training and workforce needs, helping First Nations businesses prosper.
"This includes $600,000 for TAFE Queensland to expand its successful One Business mentoring and coaching program, and $200,000 to support place-based mentoring activities across the regions.
"We know that when the world comes to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Queensland's First Nations businesses will be front and centre – sharing their unique culture, products and services with the largest audience on earth"
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Leeanne Enoch:
"The Palaszczuk Government is a proud supporter of First Nations small businesses in Queensland.
"Investment in these initiatives will see Queensland Indigenous-owned small businesses grow and thrive, while also boosting workforce and skills development and empowering culturally-led mentoring for businesses.
"I welcome the establishment of the Queensland Indigenous Business Network and look forward to further strengthening the Queensland Government's engagement with First Nations small businesses".
Explainer/fast fact and or further information:
- The $8.3 million Paving the Way – First Nations Training Strategy (FNTS) includes 11 actions addressing First Nations-led training and workforce solutions, skills and training pathway opportunities, and cultural awareness skills and competency.
- One Business has been delivered by TAFE Queensland (with Queensland Government support) since 2020, and was designed to create more pathways for Aboriginal and Strait Islander peoples to participate in Queensland's economy. In recognition of the program's success to-date, One Business received a highly commended acknowledgement in this year's Queensland Reconciliation Awards.
