The Perth Landing Pad program is a strategic initiative designed to support startups at various stages of their business journey, helping them expand into Western Australia and beyond. Supported by the City of Perth and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, this program provides the tools, resources, and networks needed to successfully enter new markets and accelerate growth in WA’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
CEO of CareerDC, Miqdad Hassan is a current participant in the program, allowing him to utilise free coworking at Spacecubed’s locations, from Perth to Western Sydney, as well as ongoing resources, mentoring and support.
CareerDC facilitates industry and work experience opportunities for university students and new graduates. They focus on helping international students in Australia, ensuring that they have better access to internships and opportunities.
We sat down with Miqdad to learn more about his business journey, experience within the Perth Landing Pad program, and his plans for the future.
Miqdad’s entrepreneurial journey began after a chance encounter with a young international student from Bangladesh in need of local work experience and an internship that would fulfil the requirements of his degree. “My experience with the young man made me think there was a need to help students in Australia get work experience placements,” shared Miqdad, which is how CareerDC Internships was founded.
Today, Miqdad and his team are excited to work on a new initiative, SGW Network, which stands for Study, Graduate, Work. This platform aims to empower students and recent graduates, helping them develop important professional skills, such as communication and work ethic.
The network will also connect students, graduates, education providers and companies in one single, international hub where they can collaborate and learn from one another. “It's all about helping students to develop practical skills and helping them become more employable after graduation,” shared Miqdad.
When asked what he hopes to achieve through the Perth Landing Pad program, Miqdad shared the following.
“We hope to connect with companies and education providers across Australia and overseas. We trust that the program will be helpful in making new contacts and will help us to spread the word about the SGW Network.”
Miqdad visited Perth last year and was impressed by the city's infrastructure, abundant resources, and immense growth potential. “Perth boasts a robust economy, making it an attractive destination for CareerDC’s expansion plans,” he explained.
There are several strategic reasons for Miqdad’s aim to expand into Western Australia, including the heightened demand for skilled graduates and growing student population, which presents an opportunity to offer valuable career development services.
Located in the Asia-Pacific region, Perth offers strategic advantages for international partnerships, attracts students from a wide area, and boasts a diverse industry landscape. With the upcoming launch of SGW Network, Miqdad shared, “Perth is an ideal city for its debut, given its rapid growth and strong regional connections.”
In an increasingly globalised world, adaptability is key and with SGW being an online network, anyone in the world can benefit from it, and physical distance won’t be an issue for participants to attend the workshops or webinars.
Looking towards the future, Miqdad shared, “As we launch and start growing, we will need to assess if we need to make adaptations to accommodate for our new operations in Western Australia and overseas.”
“Perth's infrastructure and vibrant economy make it a promising hub for CareerDC’s services, and we’re excited about the opportunities this expansion will bring,” Miqdad concluded.
If you’re an international or interstate startup or scaleup looking to expand into Western Australia, learn more and apply now for our year-round program via our website here!