Win for Tim

30 November 2009

Not one to clamour for the spotlight, Kangan Batman TAFE Business Enterprise Centre manager Tim Cremean has been recognised for his efforts at last month's Small Business Development Conference in Sydney.

Senator Mark Arbib, Minister for Employment Participation, presented the AAMI NEIS "Unsung Hero Award" - an award which Tim said was unexpected, but gratefully accepted.

The award recognises Tim's contribution to ensuring the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme continues to provide opportunities and support for aspiring small business owners.

When the government amended the employment services industry last year, the future of NEIS was in doubt.

"For many years now, the NEIS program has been invaluable to the industry. Through the Business Enterprise Centre at Kangan Batman TAFE, we've helped thousands of clients realise their business dreams," he said.

"The possibility that the initiative was going to be scraped prompted a fairly active campaign to make sure it continues."

In 2008, as national president of the National NEIS Association, Tim led the negotiations and was instrumental in securing the future of the program.

Throughout the year he had a number of meetings with the then minister Brendan O'Connor and Skills Australia to develop an alternative funding model for NEIS so that the scheme could continue into the future.

"The Association has worked hard over the past few years to build NEIS through partnerships and a number of important alliances, including the NAB micro business loans program," Tim said.

"NEIS has helped more than 100,000 Centrelink beneficiaries start small businesses since inception with its combination of training, mentoring and a little financial assistance."

With the full support of Minister Arbib, NEIS will continue to provide these opportunities and contribute to vibrant business communities across the country.