COVID-19 has brought disruption and many challenges to businesses in Port Stephens with small businesses and sole traders having been hit the hardest.

Working in collaboration with Business NSW and Business Australia, TAFE NSW is offering a fee-free short course designed to assist sole traders, microbusiness and other small business owners in managing the challenges of COVID-19.

The two-week pilot course offers training in the digitalisation of products and services, digital marketing, professional/personal health, well-being, resilience and emotional intelligence.

Research conducted indicates that 63 per cent of small businesses have been impacted by the virus in one way or another with 91 per cent stating that they are concerned about keeping their business afloat in the coming months.

While these are certainly difficult times, there are ways to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, and to proactively manage your business during this period.

Deborah Austin owns Double Digits, an event company in Port Stephens, and said the course has been a helpful avenue to learn new skills which can be easily implemented into her business operations.

“The TAFE NSW teacher has experience being a small business owner and is very aware that the owner of a small business is often the person who is wearing many different hats.

“The course has provided me with so many simple, practical tips on the types of website and social media marketing upgrades I could be doing and how to actually implement those changes.”

Business NSW Northern NSW Regional Manager Jane Laverty said she received a lot of feedback through her conversations with industry and small businesses that they were struggling with digitalisation and professional well-being.

“The impact of COVID-19 had forced businesses to either go into hibernation or adapt their skillset quickly to survive the coming months.

“This TAFE NSW course has been designed to equip business owners with the practical skills they need for their business to survive the pandemic and come out thriving on the other side.”

TAFE NSW Enterprise customises flexible training options for businesses. For more information visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601 for more information. 

Media contact: Sarah Lievore, TAFE NSW Media Officer,  sarah.lievore1@tafensw.edu.au