Better outcomes when National Employer Organizations (EO) support young entrepreneurs
Young people are full of enthusiasm and eagerness to be successful. They are creative, innovative, and are tech savvy. They are employers and job creators and next generation of private sector leaders in an increasingly competitive and high tech world
Globally, many successful businesses have been created by young people. However, many of the young people, especially in PICs, are facing challenges to embark into entrepreneurship, including lack of skill and experience, access to market, information and supportive networks and more challenging is the lack of capital and access to finance which prevent them from start-ups, to realise their potential and aspiration.
To unlock this potential, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) through the Bureau of Employers’ Activity (ACTEMP) has collaborated with the Pacific Youth Council (PYC) and the Pacific Community (SPC) in providing technical assistance and guidance to establish the Young Entrepreneurs Council (YEC) within the employers’ organisation (EOs). The aim is to develop YEC’s into a national advocacy and technical entity advocating for an improved entrepreneurial eco-system that promote the employment and business aspirations of current and potential young entrepreneurs’.
This joint initiative has successfully established and operationalised the YEC in Fiji (June 2016) under the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF) and in Vanuatu (November 2016) under the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI). YEC’s under the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) and Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TCCI) are almost in the final stages of being operational.
The EOs are the most representative private sector organisation (PSOs) representing the voice and interest of private sector. The establishment of YEC within the EOs enables the YEC to utilise the national platform to network, exchange ideas and share practices, and more importantly, a platform for the voice of young entrepreneurs to be heard, and to influence policy development affecting them.
The various services offered by the EOs would serve as direct support to young entrepreneurs to be more productive and efficient. With the wide membership and network of EOs, the young entrepreneurs have the opportunity to expand business network, partnership and market access, and to have mentoring support from senior members of the EOs, to learn from the invaluable experience and practical skills. Thus, through the YEC, the EOs is nurturing the future business leaders.
To unlock this potential, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) through the Bureau of Employers’ Activity (ACTEMP) has collaborated with the Pacific Youth Council (PYC) and the Pacific Community (SPC) in providing technical assistance and guidance to establish the Young Entrepreneurs Council (YEC) within the employers’ organisation (EOs). The aim is to develop YEC’s into a national advocacy and technical entity advocating for an improved entrepreneurial eco-system that promote the employment and business aspirations of current and potential young entrepreneurs’.
This joint initiative has successfully established and operationalised the YEC in Fiji (June 2016) under the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF) and in Vanuatu (November 2016) under the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI). YEC’s under the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) and Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TCCI) are almost in the final stages of being operational.
The EOs are the most representative private sector organisation (PSOs) representing the voice and interest of private sector. The establishment of YEC within the EOs enables the YEC to utilise the national platform to network, exchange ideas and share practices, and more importantly, a platform for the voice of young entrepreneurs to be heard, and to influence policy development affecting them.
The various services offered by the EOs would serve as direct support to young entrepreneurs to be more productive and efficient. With the wide membership and network of EOs, the young entrepreneurs have the opportunity to expand business network, partnership and market access, and to have mentoring support from senior members of the EOs, to learn from the invaluable experience and practical skills. Thus, through the YEC, the EOs is nurturing the future business leaders.