NSW small businesses and their staff will now have access to free TAFE business skills training courses under the new $30 million Skills Business Program. 

The free TAFE NSW qualifications will include subjects such as digital and financial literacy, cybersecurity and general business management. 

This will be opened to small to medium sized businesses in NSW with up to 199 employees. However, priority will be given to smaller businesses with employees less than 19. 

“This isn’t just about investing in the future of our small businesses, it’s about investing in people- the skills, careers and wellbeing of the men and women who run businesses, and work in them,” Minister for Skills and Minister for Small Businesses, John Barilaro said. 

“We need a workforce that will continue to underpin NSW as the nation’s leading economy, and the strongest workforce is one that’s continually learning, upskilling, and keeping up to date with new technologies,” he added. 

Small businesses make up about 98 per cent of all NSW businesses, employing almost 1.56 million people. In addition, they generate $47 billion in annual wages and salaries. 

The NSW government has invested $30 million to support these small businesses owners. 

Businesses and staff will be able to access the training anywhere and anytime, in their own pace. 

TAFE NSW will work closely with the NSW government to deliver the needs of small businesses. 

According to Mr Barilaro, this will include their collaboration 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”.