Bligh Government supports Fraser Coast small businesses

A Bligh Government initiative which is helping Queensland small businesses to boost their skills, profitability and growth is now offering assistance on the Fraser Coast, Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said today.

Mr Welford, who is in Maryborough and Hervey Bay with the Premier, her Cabinet and the state’s senior public servants for the Bligh Government’s seventh Community Cabinet, said Small Business Solutions has helped more than 500 businesses since it started last year.

“The initiative became available in Hervey Bay earlier this month, and our already our mentors are assisting two local businesses,” Mr Welford said.

“Small Business Solutions is a key initiative of our Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan.

“It helps Queensland’s small business owners with greater training and support to boost their skills and grow their business.

“Our Queensland Skills Plan puts a strong emphasis on small business - supporting skills development - because this sector is such a significant contributor to our economy.

“Small businesses represent almost 97 percent of all private sector business in the state and employ more than 610,000 Queenslanders.

“The Fraser Coast region plays a vital part, especially through the tourism industry, and the Bligh Government wants to assist local operators to successfully capitalise on business opportunities.”

Mentors assisting local small business operators are David Robinson, who has several years experience in managing five-star hospitality establishments in Sydney and Brisbane, and Darren Everard who has operated a successful small business in Hervey Bay for over 12 years.

Mr Welford said Small Business Solutions offered high-quality, flexible programs so that training was available when, where and how small business needed it.

“Mentors meet with business owners in their workplace to advise in the areas of industrial relations, profit maximisation and business growth, marketing and sales, human resource management, computer skills and business planning,” he said.

“Existing business operators are able to get support to identify their specific skills needs and tailor programs to meet individual situations.

“Business owners who have used the service report a range of successes with many seeing immediate improvement to their bottom line.”

For more information about the initiative call 1300 40 60 80, or go to the website: www.smallbusinesssolutions.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336