The NSW state government is pledging a $30m investment in free business skills training for small businesses, including printers.
John Barilaro, NSW deputy premier says, “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.”
The programme 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.
The commitment came as Andrew Macaulay, CEO of the PIAA met with Barilaro, deputy premier, Minister for Skills and Minister for Small Business, along with Adam Marshall, Minister for Tafe NSW, coinciding with the state government pledging a $30m investment in free business skills training for NSW small businesses.
Macaulay says, “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.”
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Macaulay met with Barilaro to discuss the needs of the print and packaging sector as the PIAA says it is seeking significant funding and policy changes to support small businesses in the sector, for staff to upskill through free financial and digital literacy courses. According to Tafe NSW, the most common challenges faced by the small and entrepreneurial business community, are digital awareness, financial literacy, taxation and access to capital.
Marshall, minister for Tafe NSW 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.”
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 is 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 very people who take on great risks, to create job opportunities for others.
“It was pleasing to see Andrew Macaulay yesterday, and I am grateful for the work PIAA is doing to spread the word about this important skills and small business initiative”.
The PIAA says In NSW, small businesses represent almost 98 per cent of all enterprises. They employ about 1.56 million people – almost half the state’s workforce – and generate $47bn in annual wages and salaries.
For more information visit: www.tafensw.edu.au/skillsforbusiness
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