Business help leads to top rating for provider
7 November 2005
Kangan Batman TAFE's Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) was recently rated the best performing New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) provider in Melbourne with a new business success rate of 85 per cent.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) rates providers of NEIS schemes based on performance and results and the BEC received the high rating for its work over the last two years on a specific job network project. There are five NEIS providers in Melbourne and the BEC delivers 25 per cent of all of Melbourne's funded NEIS places.
BEC manager, Tim Cremean, says the rating is proof that their service is hitting the mark with people wanting to start a new business. 'It's a combination of providing the right mix of training, support and delivery,' he said. 'We are very aware of the issues facing new businesses and the difficulties that can be encountered along the way.'
'With a new business success rate of 85 per cent our results challenge the statistics which indicate per cent of businesses will fail in their first year,' said Mr Cremean. 'New businesses need mentoring and practical support if they are to survive.'
'Research and planning is crucial and the key to success of any new business and the BEC helps participants focus on getting these aspects right,' he said. 'Participants are actively involved in producing a business plan before they start their business.'
This year over 700 clients have enrolled in the various small business management training programs and the business counseling service has provided more than 400 interviews. Counsellors can provide advice on planning, marketing and financial matters, and referral to a range of government services available to assist small businesses. The business counseling service is supported by the Moonee Valley and Hume councils.
Additionally, 17 businesses joined the Business Breakthrough group which is funded by AusIndustry. The program targets businesses keen to take the next growth step.
The BEC also won a partnership award for its cooperative work with Box Hill and Chisholm TAFEs and runs weekly information sessions in Sunshine, Richmond and Essendon and monthly at the Hume Global Learning Centre. It runs 'Planning and Starting a Small Business' five-week training courses in Essendon, Richmond, Deer Park, Moreland, Sunbury and Fitzroy.
For those looking for nationally recognised qualifications the BEC offers the Certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management) two nights a week and by flexible delivery. Students study marketing, planning, law and taxation, pricing, costing and break even, and computer training. The course is delivered by trainers with expertise in taxation, marketing, budgeting, and law and participants focus on developing a business plan.
A Kangan Batman TAFE BEC staff member was also awarded the national 'Unsung Hero' ABBi award for her work with the NEIS scheme. Morena Munafo was presented with the award at a national small business development conference recently.
What is NEIS?
The NEIS is a Commonwealth Government program to help eligible social security recipients into self-employment. The program includes training in small business management, help with developing a business plan and mentor support. It also provides one year's income support.
To be eligible for the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme participants must be a registered jobseeker; be receiving some income support from social security (e.g. Newstart, Supporting Parent Pension, Disability Allowance, etc); and have a viable business proposal backed up by research.
Kangan Batman TAFE delivers the NEIS program in Melbourne's inner, western and north-western suburbs including Essendon, Richmond, Deer Park, Moreland, Fitzroy, Werribee, Melton, Sunbury, Broadmeadows and Avondale Heights, as well as in the southern and eastern suburbs. The program is available year-round, with new classes commencing every four weeks.
