NSW printers and their staff now have access to free business skills training thanks to a new $30m skills initiative.
Deputy Premier, Minister for Skills and Minister for Small Business, John Barilaro joined the Minister responsible for TAFE NSW Adam Marshall to announce the measure, and met with PIAA CEO Andrew Macaulay to discuss the needs of the print and packaging sector.
PIAA is seeking significant funding and policy changes to support small print and packaging businesses and their staff to upskill through free financial and digital literacy courses.
TAFE NSW says the most common challenges faced by the small and entrepreneurial business community, are digital awareness, financial literacy, taxation and access to capital.
Marshall says, “Skills for Business will offer NSW SMEs fully subsidised training in digital and financial literacy, cybersecurity and general business management by leveraging TAFE NSW’s strong industry connections and world-class teaching to access training anywhere, anytime and at a pace that suits them.”
After his meeting with the Deputy Premier, Macaulay noted, “We are starting to see traction in our advocacy to Government for re-invigorating TAFE training. This is a win for PIAA and for printers.”
Barilaro says, “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. Our economy is now the strongest in the nation, and as a government we want to be doing everything we can to support small business owners, the people who take on great risks, to create job opportunities for others.
“There are 6,063 print and packaging businesses in NSW employing 80,800 people in both our capital cities and all regional centres. These businesses account for $4.8bn in annual wages.
“Considering the size and scope of this important manufacturing sector, we look forward to seeing people in the industry take up this offer of free training, to skill up for the benefit of their businesses, their staff and the sector as a whole.
“It was pleasing to see Mr Macaulay yesterday, and I’m grateful for the work PIAA is doing to spread the word about this important skills and small business initiative.”
The NSW Small Business Commissioner says that small businesses create wealth and employment for the benefit of all Australians, with almost 690,000 small businesses in the state, approximately 96 per cent of all businesses.
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.
For more information visit: www.tafensw.edu.au/skillsforbusiness
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter