Australian Government to invest in SME skills

Printers with fewer than 200 staff will be able to access free courses, according to Andrew Macaulay, CEO of Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA). Macaulay co-released the new program alongside John Barilaro, Deputy Premier of NSW and Minister for Skills and Small Business.

Macaulay said: ‘We are delighted that the Government has identified the need to reinvigorate and focus towards SMEs. In NSW, the print and packaging sector employs just under 100,000 people. It’s stable, skilled employment.’

Adam Marshall, minister responsible for TAFE Education, added: ‘The new program, entitled “Skills for Business”, will offer NSW SMEs fully subsidized 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.’

PIAA recently secured the support of the Tasmanian government for Melbourne-based Holmesglen Institute to provide print training and is pursuing the same arrangement for South Australia.

Macauley concluded: ‘NSW is in a position to supply these services directly to the state, and the commitment of the Deputy Premier is an indication that this is the path he wants to take. We intend to follow up these discussions and seek further action.’