Does Someone You Know Qualify for Free Nationally Accredited Business Training

I have no doubt that one of the outcomes of the recent daily focus and general frenzy around the Federal Election has been that one of the more attractive and useful Government initiatives has gone largely under the radar for a lot of people.

Having personally spoken with many people about it, I was amazed that no one had heard about it prior to our discussion. And so for this reason I am writing down some thoughts in the hope that you may be able to benefit from it.

Essentially there is Government funding available for the nationally accredited, Diploma of Management course which is usually valued at around $3500. However as an incentive for businesses to have their
personnel trained, eligible candidates may receive the training free.

Sadly with the high levels of mortality within the services sector and on the back of the difficult economic times most businesses have experienced over the last couple of years it is not surprising that funding has been made available to raise the bar in terms of key management and leadership skill s, as a key driver of improving business productivity and outcomes.

However the need to up skill people quickly and in a way that fits in effectively with their work commitments is also as we know very important and has been well thought out, so the Diploma of Management has now been streamlined and can now be done over four days where the student does one day a month for four months.


What Does the Diploma Cover?

The Diploma is made of eight key units of which two are delivered over each of the four days.

Specifically they are:

 Managing Personal work priorities and Professional Development

 Show Leadership in the workplace

 Managing an Operational Plan

 Facilitating Continuous Improvement in your business

 Leading and Managing a Sales Team(s)

 Providing Mentoring and coaching within you Business or workplace

 Managing Quality Customer Service

 Managing Budgets and Financial Plans.





What are the benefits to my business of my staff doing the Diploma of Management?

There are several key benefits for any business that up skills its staff with such a robust course.

To begin with the diploma helps to allow you to carefully plan out your succession planning within one or multiple practices by ensuring that people are appropriately trained with the commensurate level of leadership and management skills required to be effective.

As well, training is a great retention tool for quality, high performing and high potential staff that we want to keep. Almost invariably people have an expectation for more and better training as part of their personal development. This in turn demonstrates to them that they are a valued member of the team that is being developed for bigger and better things down the track.

It should also be noted that if any staff member then wanted to progress to a full business degree, doing this course will mean they only have to do the second and third years of the Bachelors degree.

Finally this type of training will make the individual more effective, a better leader and more strategic in their thinking about the business and where possible opportunities for growth may lay in the future.



Is every state eligible for Diploma of Management funding?

Sadly no. Not every state is eligible for this funding and even within those that are,

there are differences in qualifying criteria and the rewards on offer for businesses.


If you live in Victoria:

The business has a net gain of $2500 for each student who meets the criteria on completion of the Diploma of Management. In every instance they must be an Australian citizen who works full time or part time over 13 hours per week. Beyond this it is further broken down by age?

For people under 25, who have not completed a degree or diploma, the business receives $2500 for each student that completes the course.

For people 25 and over, who have not completed a degree or diploma and have started with the firm within the last weeks, the business receives $2500 for each student that completes the course.


If you live in Queensland, South Australia, the ACT or Tasmania:

The business can get staff trained up in the Diploma of Management for free if they meet the specified criteria as follows:

Regardless of age, the candidate must be an Australian citizen who works full time or part time over 13 hours per week. As well they cannot have completed a degree or diploma. As well they cannot have completed a qualification higher than a Certificate III in the last 7 years that was not completed within 2 years of finishing high school. If these criteria are met, the course will be free.

If you live in New South Wales or Western Australia:

There is no funding available for the Diploma of Management at this time; although this may change in the future as funding is reviewed.

Suffice to say, if you personally have any interest in this type of training for you or your staff please or think this may be of use to someone you know, please as Molly would say "do them a favor" and forward this post on to them.   As well anyone should feel free to call me and I’d be pleased to discuss the criteria with you and direct you more precisely based on your needs and situation.

My direct contact number is: 0413 297 617.

I hope this can help you and your business as we all continue to pursue continual improvement and grow.