Author: Youth 2 Youth.

Although the opportunities for tertiary
education and employment for youth in
rural areas have been recognised as
having a number of potential issues,
your rural location can, in fact, benefit
your desire for self employment and
your ability to create successful
business opportunities!

Industries that have been identified
as areas of growth include the following:

• Tourism! Especially eco-tourism,
  agri-tourism, heritage tourism and
  lifestyle tourism.
• Ecotourism is a nature based educational form of tourism that promotes conservation and ecological sustainability - this form of tourism has been identified as being a very viable option of self-employment for youth in rural areas. EG: Rainforest or farm eco-resorts!
• Agri-tourism is another sector experiencing huge growth- especially in the wine industry as well as the farm stay sector. Why not start avineyard?
• Many rural locations have a wonderful heritage, but the employment lies within the management of the tourism. Many old farming districts and towns across Australia have realised the potential for heritage-tourism. EG: Berry NSW, Burra SA, Maldon VIC.
• Identified as one of the fastest growth sectors in Australia, tourism provides approximately 70% of the new employment opportunities that exist for young people.

Diversification in Primary Production: Young people have the innovative and fresh ideas to change and improve the way in which many of the primary production processes in Australia's rural locations are currently running.

Boutique and Niche Industries: The unique and innovative products such as art and craft, furniture production as well as retail businesses present many opportunities despite their rural locations. The concept of niche products or services have the ability to attract many customers both local and visiting- so keep those amazing product and service ideas of yours coming- and realise their potential!

The IT industry has recently experienced a massive growth in employment and job opportunities in rural locations due to the increased number of call centres and also businesses that can be run entirely online. The government has produced initiatives designed to inform and educate those in rural locations about the IT industry and further plans to provide a large number of jobs- especially in rural locations! EG: Telecentre Network WA.

Sports and Recreation: Rural areas often provide opportunities for turning the scenery and natural wonders of the great outdoors into adventure-based business. EG: rock-climbing & horse-riding.

For more information about current and future employment, education training opportunities in rural areas, and the government's response to the issues regarding these topics, get your hands on the Report from the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme, "Creating Better Educational and Employment Opportunities for Rural Young People".

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