The SCEEC grew out of the Slingshot Self-employment program (Slingshot) established in June 2001 and was an initiative of the Growth Solutions Group, a Melbourne-based business consultancy, and the Dusseldorp Skills Forum (DSF) and was supported by Big Brother Movement BBM, The Myer Foundation and Melbourne Citymission. A project advisory body including representatives of the project funders, and partners became the Committee of Management when Slingshot incorporated as an independent body in 2003.

Initially run from the Employment Education and training unit of Melbourne Citymission in Footscray, in 2003 Slingshot moved to the Melbourne central business district to the headquarters of Melbourne Citymission where it was co-located within Frontyard Youth Services.

In 2004, Melbourne Citymission with the support of the Helen McPherson Smith Trust, Department of Victorian Communities, Department of Transport and Regional Services, and Melbourne Community Foundation, continued program support to Slingshot and provided the resources to extend and enhance services to young people, leading to the creation of the SCEEC in 2005.

From 2005-2007 SCEEC hosted 5 programs and several incubator businesses, expos , forums and events. Many young people found the resources and connections to help them with their self-employment pathways or re-engage with education/training or take up employment. Many mentors gave their time to support them and VUT provided excellent training.

In late 2007, lack of funding, and MCM's priority to strengthen the alignment of its employment and training services with homelessness services, saw the end of the Slingshot Training and Mentoring program.

In 2008 SCEEC has a new role and will transition to an employment education and training hub for disengaged young people aged 15-25 as part of the Stopover Youth precinct development.