The NSW government has announced a new $30 million skills initiative that offers NSW small businesses and their staff access to free TAFE business skills training programs.
The state minister for skills John Barilaro said the new Skills for Business program meant local businesses and their staff could undertake free TAFE NSW qualifications in subjects including digital and financial literacy, cyber security and general business management.
“Small businesses represent almost 98 per cent of all NSW businesses. They employ about 1.56 million people – almost half the state’s workforce – and generate $47 billion in annual wages and salaries,” Barilaro said.
The state minister responsible for TAFE NSW Adam Marshall said TAFE would work closely with state government partners to deliver targeted training to meet the needs of small businesses.
“Skills for Business will leverage TAFE NSW’s strong industry connections and world-class teaching to offer NSW SMEs fully subsidised training in digital and financial literacy, cyber security and general business management,” Marshall said.
“Businesses and employees throughout NSW will benefit from TAFE NSW’s strong digital footprint to access training anywhere, anytime and at a pace that suits them.
“TAFE will work closely with the NSW government’s Business Connect advisory service and the state’s 11 university partners in the $18 million Boosting Business Innovation Program to deliver the training to small businesses,” he said.
The program is open to all small to medium sized businesses operating within NSW with up to 199 employees, but priority will be given to businesses with fewer than 19 employees.
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