Small business in Kalgoorlie set for boost

20/07/00
A pilot project aimed at boosting small business training could be running in the Goldfields region early next year.
Employment and Training Minister Mike Board today announced in Kalgoorlie that a survey would be conducted to pave the way for the pilot project of Business Grow.
Mr Board said that the Business Grow Program, which provided expert advice on all matters affecting small business and provided effective linkages between small business and training providers, would be introduced into the Goldfields in three stages.
"The first stage will be a training needs survey and analysis of small business in the region, which will be conducted by the Business Enterprise Centre," he said.
"The second stage will see the information from the survey disseminated to small business, and to State and Local Government authorities. The final stage will be the launch of the pilot program.
"This is a joint initiative between the Department of Training and Employment, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Goldfields Business Enterprise Centre.
"The survey will be one of the most thorough ever undertaken within the region.
"At least 80 per cent of businesses will be contacted and we want to achieve at least a 65 per cent response rate.
"The survey will gather valuable information on the needs of the region's small business and will help State and Local Government and other organisations trying to boost small business.
"A similar survey will be conducted in the Esperance Region by the Esperance Business Enterprise Centre."
Mr Board said that a pilot of the Business Grow Program was being run in the Peel Region.
"The Peel pilot program has shown that Business Grow is particularly successful in developing a training culture amongst small business," he said.
"Traditionally small businesses are not big users of formal training, and yet these days training is cost-effective, flexible, relevant and a means of creating more productive staff and helping businesses grow."
Media contact: Hartley Joynt, 9321 1444