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Each Business Enterprise Centre has its own identity, however the range of services provided include the following:
Training
Business Enterprise Centres offer a broad range of training programs that have been developed over many years of experience.
With more than 75% of Business Enterprise Centres attached to TAFE Institutes they bring together a range of training programs and services. These include:
- Accredited training. eg. Certificates and Diplomas
- Short courses designed for prospective or existing small businesses
- The NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) program
This is an Australian government initiative that helps eligible unemployed people start and run their new, viable small business.
- Library facilities
- Training room hire
- Function room hire
- Student amenities and counselling
See what’s on offer at your local BEC – Metro Locations or Country Locations.
Networking Opportunities
Most Business Enterprise Centres hold regular meetings for interested local businesses with guest speakers to discuss current business issues.
A small membership fee is often charged. This fee may entitle you to a range of services, including newsletters, meetings and library access.
The network meetings play an important role in providing businesses with information about their community, broader business topics and the opportunity to develop mutually beneficial relationships with other business operators.
New members are always welcome.
See what’s on offer at your local BEC - Metro Locations or Country Locations.
Mentoring
Business mentoring is where a small business operator is matched up with an experienced and trusting advisor.
This arrangement may eventuate after a discussion between the BEC and the small business operator. A mentor is chosen, and then an agreement about the level of support is agreed upon. The assistance is normally provided without charge to the business. The mentor and operator then liaise directly without any further reference to the BEC, unless by prior arrangement. For example, in order to satisfy the contractual arrangements for mentoring under the NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) program.
See what’s on offer at your local BEC - Metro Locations or Country Locations.
Counselling
Confidential business counselling is available to any existing micro or small business or any person intending to start up in business. This counselling will be provided by a person experienced in small business.
The service is available at the BEC or arrangements can be made to visit the premises.
The counsellor may initially meet with the individual for up to one hour to discuss the relevant issues. Depending on the outcome of this, a proposed strategy or plan of action will be suggested for the person to consider. This may include referrals to other sources of information specific training programs or local professionals or business specialists.
A fee may be charged for this service.
Check with your local BEC - Metro Locations or Country Locations.
Referrals
An important part of business counselling is helping identify specific client needs and providing referrals to other professionals or resources where necessary.
A referral could be to a local community resource when, for example, a person requires taxation or financial management advice. For legal issues, local solicitors may be referred to or, in more complex and specialised cases, the Law Institute of Victoria.
Referrals may also be made to relevant publications or websites that may be of assistance. The Links page on this website provides a very comprehensive listing of organizations that assist prospective or existing small businesses.
Finally, the Economic Development Unit at your local council can also be an excellent source of information. Some councils run their own training courses and programs to assist prospective or existing small businesses.
Business Incubation
Business Incubators are non-profit development centres that are designed to assist new and growing businesses to become established and profitable by providing premises, advice, services and support.
Business incubators are known to reduce the failure rate of new start up businesses. In doing so they create jobs and assist local economic development.
The incubation period is normally from one to three years, during which time the fledgling business becomes established before graduating into the wider business community.
Our network has 5 BECs located in incubators. They are: the Ballarat Regional Incubator, Brunswick Business Incubator, The Greater Shepparton Business Centre and the Wimmera Business Centre.
For contact details, go to - Metro Locations or Country Locations.
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