Minister announces boost for small business training in Stirling and Swan

9/10/00
More than 550 business owners and managers in the cities of Stirling and Swan will benefit from $300,000 worth of grants aimed at increasing small business participation in vocational education and training.
Employment and Training Minister Mike Board announced today that six organisations would receive Small Business Training Grants under a pilot scheme to address the particular training needs of small businesses.
Mr Board said a key element of the scheme was the involvement of two local panels of small business representatives from the local government areas. Their role was to determine training needs from the perspective of their two regions.
The panels worked closely with the Department of Training and Employment, which administers the pilot program.
Mr Board said the training grants scheme differed from other pilot programs because it gave control of the process to small business representatives.
"While most small business pilot programs enable better access to what is already available, the training grants scheme allows the needs and priorities of small business to be determined from their perspective," he said.
"Under the scheme, training providers are encouraged to be innovative and to tailor, or develop, training-related products and services that will meet the specific needs of individual businesses."
Mr Board said the panels, which had been established in Stirling and Swan, represented a cross section of industries and businesses within the localities and provided a diversity of views and information.
"Members have brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the process, advising on issues such as local business contacts, small business needs, how Government legislation impacts on small business needs, and local developments and opportunities," he said.
"Panel members are shown, through their participation, that they are being considered, are an important client group and that their concerns are being listened to by Government. "
The organisations in the City of Stirling to receive funding are:

• Curtin University of Technology's Small Business Unit to deliver training to 15 small business/owner managers in strategic management and dynamic financial management;

• Business Starters Network Pty Ltd to deliver training to 50 owner/managers in record keeping, business planning and costing and pricing. They will also deliver training to 28 owner/mangers in e-commerce; and -

• McKinnon Sales Centre Pty Ltd to deliver training related services to 20 owner/managers in mentoring and coaching.

• Swan Valley Tourism Council Inc to deliver training to 15 small business owner/managers in promoting business or events;

• Eastern Region Business Enterprise and Arts Centre Inc to deliver training to 20 owner/managers in management skills for business proprietors;

• Swan region Business Enterprise Centre Inc to deliver training to 45 owner/managers in marketing and promotion;

• McKinnon Sales Centre Pty Ltd to deliver training to 30 owner/managers in practical management training; and -

• Business Starters Network Pty Ltd to deliver training to 50 owner managers in business planning and costing and pricing.