Free skill set helps kickstart dream businesses

South Regional TAFE is offering the free Operating a Small Business skill set in many of its regional campus locations including Margaret River, Busselton, Collie and Harvey.

The skill set is the perfect way for people involved in small business, or those wanting to start a business, to learn the basic skills they need.

The course focuses on providing students with the administrative and promotional tools to further develop their business.

Harvey Business Studies Lecturer Vicki Ross says the course gives participants business confidence.

“They will learn about business funding sources, using and expanding business financial practices, workplace safety and how to start or expand their businesses’ s social media network,” Vicki said.

Vicki has a wealth of experience to offer. She has worked in, and run, small and large businesses for more than 20 years.

Student Nicole Ceriani is excited about the possibility of following her dream and starting her microgreen business, which is why she enrolled in the skill set.

Nicole wants to help local people regenerate soil through native plants.

“My passion is Australian native plants and I would like to try to tap into the farming community and get them to plant trees and understories of native plants on their farms,” Nicole said.

Nicole is also looking into growing microgreens for cafés and restaurants.

“I’m trialling plants and working on a business model.”

Nicole said she had found the course informative and the lecturer had been able to discuss interesting case studies.

“I’ve found the most valuable experience is learning the Excel spreadsheets, so I can use that for accounting, and the social media marketing – as I now have the knowledge to set it up and manage it.

“The lecturer is always available to help and give direction.

“I’ve really enjoyed the in-class learning,” Nicole said.

“It’s provided me with the opportunity to meet other like-minded, positive people.”

For more information on the Operating a Small Business skill set, visit the website or call into the Harvey campus, 7 James, Stirling Place.

See the free course here: Operating a Small Business Skill Set