To ensure business growth, business owners should continually upgrade their skills and those of staff. Training to use new technologies, industry-specific skills or administration subjects like financial management will help increase profits, productivity, staff motivation and customer satisfaction.

For more information contact:

• The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR): www.training.com.au or www.skillsinfo.gov.au
• Business.gov.au events calendar
• Local TAFE colleges
• private or online training providers and industry associations
• your local Business Enterprise Centre for business training and workshops.
• this website's events module containing hundreds of business events across NSW hosted by Government and non-Government agencies.

Before deciding on a training course or program, identify the gap between the current staff qualifications and new skills the business needs.

There are many training options available to small businesses. Of special interest is vocational education – work-specific certificates, diplomas, courses, workshops and seminars.

Nationally-recognised training packages delivered by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are also available. To find out more contact:

• The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR): www.training.com.au or www.skillsinfo.gov.au
• The National Training Information Service (NTIS) for training packages, qualifications, courses, units of competency and RTOs licensed to provide training across Australia. NTIS provides downloads for all or part of training packages once businesses have registered. Click here to login and access the service.

Some businesses are eligible for assistance towards the costs of educating and training for employees. Contact your local Business Advisory Service to discuss small business education and training needs.