Coalition Government secures future of small business mentoring service
Victorian small businesses will have more access to low-cost professional management advice from a team of more than one hundred private-sector mentors for the next two years.
Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher today announced a new partnership agreement between the Victorian Coalition Government and not-for-profit organisation Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS).
"This new agreement invests more money than ever before in the partnership between SBMS and the government agency Small Business Victoria, and in turn more businesses than ever before will be assisted," Ms Asher said.
"The SBMS is comprised of highly experienced business people with specialist commercial skills who volunteer their time to help other business people.
"The SBMS has been going for over 25 years, and since 2001 has mentored more than 8,500 business people.
"Under the new agreement, the SBMS will deliver more than 4,000 subsidised mentoring sessions to over 1,900 businesses, including mentoring through the Mobile Business Centre, which visits regional and suburban commercial hubs," Ms Asher said.
Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business Russell Northe joined Minister Asher at the announcement of the funding in Morwell today.
"I encourage all small businesses to think about the benefits of a mentor," Mr Northe said.
"The SBMS can provide an experienced and objective advisor to work on the ground with a small business operator, exploring better management practices and pointing out potential opportunities for growth.
"The SBMS service is of vital importance in regional areas to further strengthen the businesses in our rural cities and towns. Accessible small business mentoring is part of the Coalition Government's business engagement strategy to assist businesses to grow, take advantage of business opportunities, create more jobs and stimulate economic growth," Mr Northe said.
For more information on the SBMS please visit www.sbms.org.au
Download PDF 
