Business class to give Broome High School students entrepreneurial skills

Indigenous female high school students across Broome will have an opportunity to hone their entrepreneurial skills, thanks to a new series of free educational workshops. The workshops are delivered through a partnership between Federal Government-funded leadership program The Academy for Enterprising Girls and female-led Indigenous innovation hub Make it Happen HQ. The collaboration aims to empower young women through education in advanced areas of design thinking and economic activity, and through fostering students’ unique business ideas. The academic rewards of the program are set to be wide-reaching, with 250 young women attending. Academy for Enterprising Girls spokesperson Fleur Anderson said the program would arm young Indigenous women with an elevated understanding of STEM, a field which has historically favoured men. “We know the gender bias experienced by women in entrepreneurship and STEM takes root in girls as young as high school, but the hurdles along the career pathways of First Nations girls and those in regional and remote Australia are even higher,” Ms Anderson said. MIHHQ founder, First Nations entrepreneur and Yawuru/Bunuba woman Adele Peek shared her collaborators’ enthusiasm on the importance of raising young Indigenous women’s business credentials. “It’s important to remember Indigenous Australians are descendants of the first entrepreneurs,” Ms Peek said. “We are not starting from nothing, we are tapping into the wisdom, heart and knowledge that has come before us. “It’s for this reason that MIHHQ is dedicated to ensuring Indigenous entrepreneurs, particularly young women and girls, have the knowledge, tools and support they need to continue on the entrepreneurial legacy of our ancestors,” she said. Broome Senior High School principal Mathew Burt said he was thrilled to have his school take part in such a valuable education program. “It’s inspiring to see initiatives like this aiming to empower Indigenous youth, particularly young women, in the realm of entrepreneurship and innovation, “ he said. “I’m excited about the opportunity for our school to be involved in such a meaningful project. Supporting Indigenous female students in developing their entrepreneurial skills aligns with our values of diversity, inclusion and empowering students to explore various career paths.” The workshops will start in May in collaboration with Broome schools.