Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce
AS Queensland faces rising youth unemployment and critical skills shortages, local leaders are looking abroad for inspiration.
The Philippines and other countries may offer a blueprint worth following.
At the Global Fair-Trade Conference at the Alexandra Hills Hotel, keynote speaker Edwin C. Pasahol, Chief Trade and Industry Development Specialist at the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), highlighted the country’s highly successful Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP).
This initiative supports young Filipinos aged 18-30 by providing:
- Low-interest loans through the Small Business Corporation.
- Access to over 1200 Negosyo Centres offering on-the-ground business support.
- Tax and permit incentives for youth-led start-ups.
- Structured mentorship from experienced business professionals.
By comparison, Queensland offers a range of valuable programs, such as Advance Queensland, Business Queensland, and Self-Employment Assistance.
However, these supports are often fragmented, not specifically tailored to young or first-time entrepreneurs, and sometimes require higher levels of digital literacy or financial readiness – barriers that can leave behind some aspiring business owners.
According to the latest ABS data (June 2025, trend terms):
- The state’s unemployment rate rose to 4.2 per cent.
- The number of unemployed people increased by 8400 to 639,500.
- Youth unemployment climbed to 9.6 per cent.
One way to address this challenge is through initiatives such as the Regional Jobs Committee (RJC), a government-backed program that brings together industry, education, and community leaders to develop local workforce solutions.
The Redlands Chamber is now considering how global insights could be incorporated into local strategies like the RJC framework.
Learning from proven youth workforce models overseas while continuing to showcase Queensland’s strengths in vocational training and digital skills could help bridge gaps and create stronger pathways for young people.
Events like the Global Fair help foster this exchange of ideas, connecting local and international expertise.
With the right approach, Queensland has an opportunity to evolve its support for the next generation of business builders, both locally and on a global scale.
“Not all approaches may work here in Australia, but it’s incredibly interesting to see the data they’ve shared,” one Redlands Chamber representative said.
“The Philippines also has a remarkably fast turnaround time for approvals, just two to four weeks, which certainly helps.”
The Queensland Government provides a central online hub for young people, offering information on education, employment, wellbeing, housing, legal rights and justice programs – all designed to help youth overcome challenges, re-engage in learning or work, and build skills for a successful future.
