THE South West, along with the rest of the state, will benefit from a $1.5 million WA Government training strategy, Employment and Training Minister Mike Board told attendees at the launch in Bunbury.
“Small businesses are not big users of formal training and yet training is cost effective, flexible, relevant and a means of creating more productive staff and helping businesses grow,” Mr Board said.
“That is why we have established a variety of pilot projects – to give organisations an idea of what is available to them and hopefully encourage greater participation in training.”
The strategy comprises five pilot programs to be operated from the metropolitan area and regionally from the Mid West, Goldfields, Peel, Great Southern and the South West.
The program gives $10,000 to each region to provide a training focus at small business functions organised by Business Enterprise Centres or Chambers of Commerce.
The funding allows each region’s BEC and Chamber of Commerce
to research what training is needed and available in their communities and to negotiate with training providers to make sure the product suits the needs of small business.
The South West will also benefit from a $500,000 scheme called Small Business-Smart Business to help businesses with fewer than ten employees.
Participants receive a $400 training grant to be redeemed at any Registered Training Organisation or department-approved training provider.
“It is a priority for me to listen to our small businesses and ensure we put in place the best plans to meet their needs,” Mr Board said
