Young people beat the odds to launch local screen printing business
21 May 2008
A group of young people grappling with unemployment, insecure housing and other complex issues have overcome the odds to launch a silkscreen printing business in North Fitzroy.
Print Side Up - a social enterprise nurtured by welfare agency Melbourne Citymission with financial support from the Brumby Government - opens for business this week at Melbourne Citymission's Slingshot Community Enterprise and Employment Centre (SCEEC) in Church Street.
The group of young workers can design, supply and print T-shirts, hoodies, patches, bags and any apparel, and is keen to secure orders from local businesses, bands, community groups, as well as personal shoppers.
"We can do print runs as small as 10 or as big as 500 - or anything in between," said a core team member of Print Side Up's Bailey Zara Hoti.
"We can apply existing logos or designs or work with a client to come up with a brand-new idea based on their brief. The sky's the limit!"
Ms Hoti said that, in the lead-up to this week's official launch, the Print Side Up group had successfully completed jobs for Smash Bang Records and the GOAL Women's Soccer Team.
"In the weeks and months ahead, Print Side Up also plans to run workshops for other young people interested in learning about silkscreen printing."
Anne Turley, Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Citymission said the SCEEC helped to fill a unique gap in the local labour market.
"Newspaper headlines about Australia's record low rate of unemployment overlook the fact that many jobs available to young people are part-time and insecure. Underemployment is a major problem for teenagers and young adults," Ms Turley said.
"Another big issue for young jobseekers - particularly those who have left school early or come from disadvantaged backgrounds - is that they lack work experience. Not only is it hard for them to get a job or even an interview, but they've had no opportunity to explore what type of career they might be interested in.
"Social enterprises like Print Side Up are a way of looking beyond traditional employment and training approaches, to create opportunities for young people who have been locked out of the labour market.
"It's an important component of Melbourne Citymission's employment, education and training philosophy."
Print Side Up can be contacted on telephone 8486 2127 or 8486 2130 or email info@printsideup.com.au
The launch of Print Side Up has been made possible, thanks to the Victorian Departments of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development. The Print Side Up enterprise has also received funding from the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development.
ENDS
Contact Information:
Deborah Fewster, Media and Advocacy Adviser, Melbourne Citymission
Mobile 0403 839 427
Read what the local papers had to say about the launch.
