Mature Age Business
Syndicates (MABS) Project
A new and exciting way of supporting older people who want to start a new
small business or get involved in helping existing small businesses grow in their
regional communities.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an age limit for me to participate
in MABS?
MABS is for older people, later in their working lives, who want to carry
on working, re-join the workforce or change their work arrangements
like working less or working more.
There is no particular age for participating in MABS.
In the past, older persons have been seen as a challenge for
governments and local communities, placing growing demands on
service provision. MABS sees older people as a significant source of
work skills, qualifications, experience and other resources.
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Why does the MABS project talk about ‘syndicates’?
What does this mean?
MABS is keen to support individuals or small groups of older people with similar interests who want to generate new jobs for themselves
and others by starting new small businesses. Another option may be to invest in an established small business to help it grow. Either way
MABS is about building supportive networks (or syndicates) of like-minded people.
Older people working together in syndicates can do things like:
1. share financial investment if this is required in a new business
2. share existing skills and experience relevant to the new business
3. share new training requirements where the syndicate has
knowledge gaps
4. share individual and business contacts to build new networks into
the community
5. share their time in the running of the business to provide flexibility
for syndicate members to pursue other life priorities
What if my new business fails?
Starting a new business or investing in an existing business carries
risks for older people that are different to those for younger people in
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the same situation. Some older people in the community are interested,
willing and able to start new small businesses or invest in an existing one and see it as a way of supplementing their income and adding
to their future financial security. However, they fear that the business may fail and have the opposite effect.
The focus of MABS is on reducing the risk of business failure and increasing the chances of business success by bringing together as
many support mechanisms as possible and in particular, appropriate training.
Let’s be clear- no one can guarantee business success. Business failure is a real risk for older people starting a new business and one
reason why some do not try.
tafesa.edu.au
CRICOS CODE: 00092B. RTO CODE: 41026
Information current as at May 2016
Mature Age Business
Syndicates (MABS) Project
What does it mean when you say that MABS is a community based project?
MABS is about supporting older people in regional South Australia who want to help themselves. The wider community has been invited
to participate in MABS through Local Councils, local business groups, local community groups, local service and support groups and
local media.
MABS also looks to interested older business and industry leaders (perhaps retired/perhaps not) in the community to provide local
knowledge and mentoring where they can.
MABS provides a valuable community forum for all interested people to work together.
Why is TAFE SA involved?
Who else is supporting the MABS project?
Appropriate training can help build confidence in starting, running and
maintaining a new business.
TAFE SA is well placed to deliver appropriate training and help build
cross government collaboration to gain access to other government
business development resources and support.
Training is likely to extend to how to run a business as well as the
technical side of the business like know-how, the application of new
technology and management practices that contribute to productivity
and competitiveness.
TAFE SA can make sure that the whole of state government knows
about MABS and considers how they can be involved.
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How do I find out more about the MABS project?
Meet Bob Goreing
Bob Goreing is the project manager for the Mature Aged Business Syndicates (MABS) project.
Bob is the CEO of Community Engagement Group Australia (CEGA), a successful small business that
works mainly in regional South Australia.
Bob is currently operating within TAFE SA and is based at TAFE SA Victor Harbor.
He is keen to chat with older people who are thinking about starting their own businesses as a way of
staying involved in the workplace and engaged with the community.
Contact
MABS Project
TAFE SA Victor Harbor
T: (08) 8552 0222
Bob Goreing, Project Manager
M: 0418 816 788 | E: [email protected]
tafesa.edu.au
CRICOS CODE: 00092B. RTO CODE: 41026
Information current as at May 2016