ILF ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST CALL FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS. GRANTS OF UP TO $50,000 AVAILABLE.

The Honorary Chairman of the Industry Leaders Fund (ILF), Mr Colin Peters, is pleased to announce that the ILF’s first call for Grant applications will open on 13 July and close on Friday 20 August 2010. Mr Peters said, “Applications are sought from people who have real, demonstrated potential to become leaders of industry in South Australia. Applicants are expected to nominate the type of training or experience opportunity they believe will best progress the realisation of their leadership potential and the expected cost. Grants of up to $50,000 are available to successful applicants.” Australian Industry Group South Australia director and ILF Honorary Board Member Stephen Myatt, was pleased that this represents the first concrete stage in the transformation of the former Engineering Employers Association Group Training Scheme for apprentices, which provided future tradespeople for South Australian industry, to become an organisation that will facilitate training and experience opportunities to provide future leaders for South Australian industry. Mr Myatt said, “The Board set a very tight deadline to reach this stage and I am pleased that it has been achieved.” ILF CEO Geoff Vogt said, “This first call for applications will be run as a pilot to determine whether refinements are required to the assessment process developed by ILF. Applicants are encouraged to seek early clarification and provide prompt comments about the process as they progress through it. Early advice about issues will allow prompt fixes which will be helpful to all applicants.” The ILF has adopted a two stage methodology to simplify the process for applicants. The first simplified stage requires mainly factual information about the applicant. ILF will assess this data and determine which applicants have the best potential for success at the second more complex stage. It is expected this process will save less qualified applicants who do not currently exhibit the necessary pre-requisites to obtain grant funds, expending the time and effort required to complete all the details that will be required from successful candidates. Mr David McNeil, ILF Honorary Treasurer, said that the fund had a prudently invested portfolio, and had in train appropriate budgets that will set the foundation for this first call to be repeated in perpetuity. Enquiries to: Geoff Vogt CEO, Industry Leaders Fund Phone: 8300 0130 or 0457 900 202 Email: ceo@industryleaders.com.au