Centre trains 1000 new small business operators
2 March 2004
Tim Cremean and a happy small business owner with the Moonee Valley Mayor Mark Kennedy.
Enrolments are now open for the increasingly popular small business management programs run by the Kangan Batman TAFE Business Enterprise Centre (BEC).
“Each year, more and more people are exploring the option of being their own boss by starting their own business”, explains BEC Manager Tim Cremean.
“In 2003, for the first time in 12 years, we enrolled more than 1000 clients in our various small business management programs.”
Based at 38 Buckley Street Essendon, the BEC commenced in 1993 by running a number of business networking functions. From these modest beginnings it has branched out into a range of projects including business counselling, short courses, and accredited training. The centre is also Melbourne’s largest provider of the Commonwealth Government’s New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS).
The BEC now has a full-time branch in Richmond and provides services in a number of locations, especially its satellite operations in Moreland and Deer Park. The centre employs 40 staff including the consultancy services of several local accountants and marketing experts.
Other highlights of 2003 included partnerships with the cities of Moonee Valley and Hume to provide business counselling services to small and home-based businesses.
The BEC trained 300 entrepreneurs in its accredited evening and flexible learning programs, and also provided accredited training through the Morebiz program in conjunction with Moreland City Council.
The centre ran a joint program with the State Government in 2003 called Under New Management, and helped coordinate the development of a new internet-based business readiness assessment tool.
Another highlight was the recognition of two of former BEC clients as finalists in the Australian Better Business Insurance (ABBI) awards, which recognised the best new growth business.
To contact the Business Enterprise Centre ring 9254 3008 or visit http://www.kangan.edu.au/bec
Photos of successful BEC graduates now operating small businesses can be arranged on request.
