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What is 30under30?

30under30 is an Anthill initiative launched in early 2008 to encourage and promote entrepreneurship among young Australians. This year saw more outstanding entries than ever before. So, we thought we would highlight some of the bright and innovative nominees who just missed Top 30 by a wink. Behold, our 2011 30under30 Honourable Mentions! More.

Brent Quill, VIC (b. 1984)

Name: Brent Quill
Age: 26 (Born: December 1984)
Gender: Male
State: VIC

Brent Quill is the founder of Training for Work, an RTO that provides a variety of programmes — traineeship, apprenticeship, certificate, diploma and advanced diploma — to business staff and students in their places of employment.

The success of the company stems from two factors on Quill’s part: timing and flexibility.

He started the business in anticipation of government funding for a relevant service that he had read about in a policy paper. When the funding became available, Quill jumped. “My business was one of the first to market with the service,” he says, which led to “substantial increases in revenue and facilitated growth.”

Training for Work’s growth over the last three years has been impressive, to say the least. The business has a presence in four states and partnerships with three State Governments in addition to the Commonwealth Government. Revenue growth is already past the million mark, with plans for the business to go public in 2012.

The trick is the flexibility that defines TfW’s business model. “Unlike traditional classroom training providers,” Quill explains, “our business trains each of its students one-on-one in their workplace.”

The on-site approach takes the burden off of employers, especially the SMEs who constitute TfW’s client base.

Not that Quill limits himself to small business. Far from it, as some high-profile players, including Vodafone and the Australia Post, have begun to sign on.

An engaging individual, Quill breaks down complex jargon into selling points and articulates them to pitch his business to the groups that might easily overlook him. In special circumstances, that can involve tailoring a unique training pilot just for them.

In a training market with thousands of competitors vying for those businesses’ attention, Quill is up to the challenge to stand out.

“Being challenged is a major driver for me,” he says. “I like to tackle new projects. I like to do things differently.”

Anthill asks: Brent Quill, what’s your superpower?

“I have three super powers.

“My memory. There is almost nothing that I hear, read or learn that I do not remember.

“My public speaking skills. I have a natural ability to present my ideas and opinions very articulately to small, medium and large groups. I am naturally energetic and engaging.

“Analytical skills. I can read or listen to a large amount of information, break the information down into logical parts, analyse the information and then form an opinion.”

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To check out the full list of Anthill’s 30under30 winners, click here.