Last week brought another major milestone in the work of the NSW Government and Jobs for NSW with the official opening of the Sydney Startup Hub, a 2,500 seat facility to drive growth and development of our startup sector and expand its global status.
Jobs for NSW was launched in August 2015 as a private sector-led and NSW Government-backed initiative to help make the NSW economy as competitive as possible, and to create more jobs across the State.
It has achieved much since then. The launch of the Jobs for The Future report defining priorities for job creation over the next 20 years. The $190m Jobs for NSW Fund to invest in job creating businesses. The development of a range of financial products tailored to help entrepreneurial companies at different stages of their lifecycle.
Since their introduction, Jobs for NSW’s products have supported more than 200 businesses across NSW, with about $37 million allocated and about one third of program funding targeted at regional and rural areas.
Jobs for NSW has successfully navigated its own startup phase and is now ready to embark on the next phase of its work.
While it will continue to deliver its innovative products and services for startups and SMEs and its important business advocacy work, Jobs for NSW will now take on a broader agenda.
We want to increase Jobs for NSW’s influence on whole of government and external initiatives focused on job creation, signaling an exciting new evolution.
There are some important changes to report. Our inaugural Chief Executive Karen Borg has decided to move on after leading Jobs for NSW since its inception and delivering on its impressive milestones to date.
Karen has brought energy, focus and commitment to her role to build a new organisation and oversee some remarkable achievements. We applaud Karen’s efforts and all she has done for the organisation and the State.
Our Director of Operations Geoff White will act as CEO while a competitive selection process is conducted for the next CEO of Jobs for NSW.
Meanwhile, our exceptional team of motivated and energetic professionals will continue to serve the growth of NSW businesses.
Jobs for NSW’s team will focus on financial product development and roll out, ensuring all business agreements are fulfilled, leading the government’s agenda in growing NSW’s vibrant start-up sector, and supporting the Board in its advisory work.
Those staff focused on broader job creation (industry segments, research, analysis, reform proposals and advice) will work as part of a new team in the Skills and Economic Development division of the Department of Industry. Bringing this expertise together will provide a larger capability to support the work of the Board in providing advice to the Government to help accelerate jobs growth across the whole economy.
It is an exciting new period for Jobs for NSW. We have achieved a lot but there is much more on the horizon and we look forward to continuing our journey with you.
David Thodey, Chairman
Simon Smith, Secretary, NSW Department of Industry
on behalf of the
Jobs for NSW Board