Premier

Growing Digital Skills For Regional Small Businesses

14 February 2020

Regional businesses will learn how to build their online presence, improve cyber-security and harness benefits from the digital economy through the Andrews Labor Government’s new Digital Opportunities Roadshow program.

Minister for Small Business Adem Somyurek and Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra today launched the initiative, encouraging regional small businesses to get involved so that they can improve their digital literacy and grow their businesses.

The program will be carried out across regional Victoria, delivering a total of 18 free face-to-face workshops from February to May.

The Government will deliver these in partnership with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – the state’s peak business body – and local councils.

The first Digital Opportunities Roadshow workshop will be held in Ararat on Thursday, 20 February. Others will be held in Shepparton, Yea, Daylesford, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Leongatha, Horsham, Traralgon, Nhill, Swan Hill, Mildura, Kyabram, Maryborough, Colac, Lorne, Camperdown and Portland.

The full calendar of roadshow events is available at business.vic.gov.au/events-workshops-and-mentoring/digital-opportunities-roadshowExternal Link .

Small business matters to Victoria – for every 100 businesses in Victoria, 98 have fewer than 20 staff and 26 will be in regional or rural Victoria. These enterprises make major contributions to local economies, generating 44 per cent of all private sector jobs in the state.

The Labor Government is helping to create the conditions for small business growth in regional areas in a number of ways, including payroll tax concessions.

The regional payroll tax rate is currently half the metropolitan rate, and by 2022-23 it will have fallen to one-quarter of the city rate.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business Adem Somyurek

“These workshops are a fantastic way for small businesses to learn new skills and build their digital knowledge so that they can compete in an increasingly digital world.”

“We’re investing in regional small businesses because we know how vital they are for economic growth, job creation and the livability of local communities.”

Quote attributable to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra

“We’re delighted to join with the government in delivering this roadshow across regional Victoria, to ensure that small businesses are equipped to make the most of the digital economy and reduce their cyber security risks.”

Reviewed 29 June 2020

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