Small Business Solutions get the thumbs up

More than 400 businesses have boosted their skills, profitability and growth since the Bligh Government’s Small Business Solutions initiative began a year ago.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the service provided small business owners with greater training support to enhance their skills and grow their business.

“Small Business Solutions is a key initiative of our Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan, supporting skills development for new and existing operators in this vital economic sector,” Mr Welford said.

“Since opening in March 2007, it has helped 417 Queensland businesses through mentoring and skills recognition and has issued 78 Diplomas of Business and 116 Certificate IV qualifications for Small Business Management.

“It also helps owners research ideas and assists with business challenges including legal and financial issues; industrial relations; profit, loss and business growth; marketing and sales; human resource management; computer skills and business planning.

“Feedback has been very positive, with many small business owners reporting significant improvements in their operations through this tailored support service.

“For example, David Wilmot, Managing Director of Coopers Plains company ISRI Seats – a vehicle seat distribution and repair business – met his milestone of increasing profits by 20 per cent by the end of 2007, after working with Small Business Solutions.

“He’s also well on the way to achieving his second goal of a 100 per cent increase by the end of June 2008.”

Mr Welford said Small Business Solutions was a valuable resource for Queensland’s small businesses, which make up almost 97 per cent of private sector business in the state and employ more than 610,000 Queenslanders.

“Small business is a real driver of the Queensland economy so any support we can provide to boost their bottom line also boosts our economy,” he said.

Small Business Solutions is a Smart State initiative with support from several State Government departments, councils and industry groups and input from the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council.

It can be contacted statewide, including in rural and remote areas, by calling 1300406080, and from Skilling Solutions Queensland Customer Service Centres in Logan, Caboolture/Pine Rivers, Beaudesert, the Gold Coast, the Redland shire, Gladstone and Townsville.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000