Female entrepreneurs in South Western Sydney are boosting their business skills thanks to the NSW Government’s latest $3.5 million investment in TAFE NSW’s Women in Business fee-free online training program.

The Women in Business program provides a suite of practical resources for women running small businesses, micro businesses, or start-up operations.

The latest investment in the program comes at a time when more than a third of the nation’s small business are now headed by women, with 12.1 per cent of the nation’s 5.9 million female employees now their own boss.

TAFE NSW Business Head Teacher Dianne See said more than 16,000 female business leaders have tuned to the TAFE NSW Women in Business program to build the skills they need to get their business off the ground.

“With more women starting their own business than ever before, there’s a rising demand for business-focused skills training. The Women in Business program ensures female entrepreneurs in every corner of NSW can access the training they need to succeed in starting or building their business,” Ms See said.

“Depending on what point they’re at with their business, participants can choose from 40 topics or webinars to suit their needs. Topics range from developing business plans, marketing, managing cash flow, applying for grants, and leveraging social media, through to tax obligations and negotiation skills.”

Anna Patthan from Campbelltown is a full time Cyber Security Analyst and coffee enthusiast gone pro. Anna launched Off Trail Coffee as a side-hustle in 2019 and said the TAFE NSW Women in Business program addressed the common issues and challenges faced by small business owners.   

“I’m really passionate about coffee and roasting a superior product for Aussie coffee drinkers, but the business side of running Off Trail Coffee is all new to me. This TAFE NSW program has given me the business and finance skills I need.

“Guest speakers have provided much needed inspiration and the tools and strategies to cope with transport and logistics issues have helped to keep my new business afloat over the last couple of years. 

“I’m always looking to find more resources to help grow my business. The Women in Business program is giving me the skills to transition from local coffee roaster to a thriving business.”

The fee free Women in Business program offers flexible online learning from anywhere, at any time.

Media contact: Sarah Dibdin, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, sarah.dibdin5@tafensw.edu.au