LiveWIRE Brunei Darussalam

HISTORY / ABOUT LiveWIRE  Brunei

LiveWIRE Brunei is a Brunei Shell Sponsored community programme created for the purpose of increasing the interest of the young especially those who are unemployed, through training, mentoring and encouraging them to venture into the world of business and become the future entrepreneurs of Brunei Darussalam.It was officially launched in Brunei on 1 st May 2001 , in response to Brunei Darussalam Economic Council (BEDC) effort to support infrastructure for enterprise development as a long-term sustainable economic development. It is officially funded by Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd; as part of its commitment towards the economic development of the country.

History (Global) LiveWIRE is originally an international programme developed by Shell to support youth development specifically to help young people to become interested in setting up their own businesses and in working for themselves. Originally launched in UK in 1982, it is one of Shell's flagship community investment programs with a global roll out aimed at contributing towards a buoyant economy and a community of more fulfilled individuals. LiveWIRE International programmes are now running in Australia , Argentina , Abu Dhabi , Brazil , Chile , United Kingdom , Guam , Hong Kong , Hungary , Iran , Mauritius , Netherlands , Nigeria , Oman , Pakistan , Republic of Ireland , Romania , Singapore , Sri Lanka and South Africa.

LiveWIRE Chronology:

1982 Live WIRE launched in Strathclyde Scotland The UK is home to the original Shell LiveWIRE. Since its launch in 1982 it has helped over 200,000 young people. Live WIRE is a national scheme that targets 16-29 year olds promoting the importance of enterprise. The scheme encourages youngsters to consider starting their own business and offers help to those who want to expand. The Enquiry Service, which provides free business startup kits, and the Business Startup Awards which rewards young business help achieve these objectives. 1983 Live WIRE expanded to rest of Scotland & Northern Ireland LiveWIRE was started by Shell staff who recognized that job opportunities and apprenticeships for young people were reducing because of a decline in traditional industries, e.g. shipbuilding, light engineering, clothing manufacture, etc. Some young people were not waiting for others to find them an opportunity for work, they were attempting to create their own future by starting their own businesses. Shell wanted to recognize and promote this latter group to give them encouragement and to hopefully encourage others and so the first Live WIRE Young Entrepreneur Awards took place. 1984 Live WIRE expands further to England and Wales Awards were run in Strathclyde and then introduced into the rest of the UK by 1984. Close contact with the young people (under 25) revealed that they received very little support. As a result a network of volunteer local contacts was established to help and encourage the young person develop their ideas and in the planning of their business; and the Live WIRE Outreach and Enquiry Service was born. 1985 Live WIRE is launched in the UK England and Wales joined the network, and the first UK Live WIRE was launched in 1985. At the same time, a whole host of new government programmes, grants and benefits blossomed to encourage and service the rising numbers of young people coming forward to create their own work. 1987 Operation Live WIRE in Australia launched The longest running Live WIRE programme outside of the UK, Australia's Live WIREE operation began in 1987 and now covers most states. The programme targets 18-25 year olds and encourages them to develop and critically assess their own business ventures. Entrants receive practical assistance and guidance from Live WIRE and experienced business entrepreneurs act as mentors during their three months idea development and planning stage. Cash prizes to the value of Aus $10,000 are awarded for the top three outstanding plans in each state. 1989 Savia Neuva in Chile launched Savia Nueva, Live WIRE Chile, was launched in the Santiago region and in 1991 was extended to the Valparaiso region. Aimed at 18-25 years olds, Savia Nueva helps to transform ideas into viable business plans. Entrants receive advice and support from the Union of Christian Entrepreneurs and Live WIRE staff. After three months of planning an executive committee of Shell executives and the Union of Christian Entrepreneurs award cash prizes for the best plans. 1993 Életpálya, Live WIRE Hungary Launched in 1993 to assist in developing an advanced market economy and to reduce unemployment. The project was welcomed by the Hungarian business community who formed partnerships with young entrepreneurs to help create an environment that encourages and supports starting your own business. Through Életpálya youngsters have been able to explore their own potential and receive training and business management materials from enquiry services, residential weekends, financial support and regional and national startup awards. 1995 Live WIRE South Africa and Intilaaquah in Oman launched It was developed to help young people understand the importance of enterprise, start their own businesses, reward successful young entrepreneurs and raise standards of youth enterprise. Live WIRE South Africa has four programmes to stimulate interest in enterprise: Business Idea Generation Programme (workshops); Business Skills Training Programme (5 day intensive programme); Business Mentorship and Business Awards. The awards reward business operating for three or more years owned by young persons between 18-30. The launch of Intilaaqah, Live WIRE Oman, helped the Omani government achieve their aim to diversify the economy away from reliance on oil and to reduce unemployment amongst young Omanis. Intilaaqah targets young, unemployed Omani's to encourage self-employment. Once they have formulated their business ideas Intilaaqah offers a programme of training and counseling through a network of volunteer counselors. The best business plans submitted after the training are rewarded with trophies and cash prizes. 1996 Live WIRE Netherlands launched The Live WIRE Netherlands scheme began in 4 regions and has the support of Shell Nederland B.V., ABN AMRO Bank, Faktor Business Support and the Dutch Government /Department Economic Affairs. The programme targets 18-28 year olds and aims to raise awareness of the importance of enterprise and to help young entrepreneurs start up on their own. To help youngsters gain entrepreneurial independence, training and free counseling are provided. Business growth programmes are also available for those looking to develop their business. 1998 Shell Live WIRE International launched and LiveWIRE Ireland Live WIRE launched in Ireland in 1998 to provide free expert business advice to entrepreneurs aged between 16 and 29. Live WIRE Ireland works closely with the Bank of Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards to provide entrants with direct access to business advice and expertise. 1999 saw the first Irish awards event won by Noely Daly of Cork. 2000 More new Live WIRE countries Live WIRE Sri Lanka launched in early 2000 with results from the first six months now being collated. This was followed by the launching of the programme in Mauritius and Singapore. Many more countries are doing the feasibility studies. 2001 More new Live WIRE countries Brunei is the twelfth and latest country to launch the programme. This will be held on 1 May 2001. The Minister of Welfare, Youth and Sport, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela Dato Seri Paduka Dr Haji Awang Hussain bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Mohd Yusof has consented to officiate the launching.

TO MEET the increase in its scope of activities and to provide even better services to its stockholders and the community, LiveWIRE Brunei yesterday officially opened the doors to its new office and main headquarters to the public.

The new office building is located at Unit No 21, 42 and 61, BT-Hj Uthman Complex, Spg 13, Jln Lapangan Antarabangsa, Kg Jaya Setia, Mukim Berakas A.

It was launched by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud, the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office.

Also at the ceremony were Dr Grahaeme Henderson, managing director of Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) and Hj Zainal Abidin Hj Mohd Ali, deputy managing director of BSP who is also the chairman of LiveWIRE Brunei.

Established in 2001, LiveWIRE Brunei is fully sponsored by BSP. 

To date, more than 2,500 young Bruneians have participated in LiveWIRE Brunei and over 200 have gone to set up their own business, said Dr Henderson.

"With more than eight per cent of LiveWIRE Brunei's participants successfully setting up their own businesses, this is an excellent success rate for such schemes and indeed is almost two times higher than the average for Shell LiveWIRE programmes elsewhere in the world," said the managing director.

In his speech, the managing director also spoke of the many successful graduates of LiveWIRE Brunei such as Pg Isman of Man Foods Enterprise and Leslie Lai, founder of Dream Cones outlets in the country, as examples of young entrepreneurs who have gone through the LiveWIRE Brunei programme and become mentors for other budding young entrepreneurs.

The new LiveWIRE Brunei offices feature a reference room and library, training room and the LiveWIRE Brunei Business Network Centre which has 15 cubicle offices complete with basic business facilities such as fax machine, Internet connection, meeting space and other secretarial services.

The network centre will be a form of startup office for rising company and is open to all those who are keen to start their small and medium enterprise at a minimal charge.

http://www.livewire-brunei.com/

The Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/home_news/2008/08/29/new_offices_for_livewire