Search Results

This report complements and supplements the Employment and Skill Formation Council's study on employment and skills in Australian small businesses, 'The shape of things to come' (indexed at TD/TNC 39.36). The Council believes that the sorts of factors driving and shaping Australian small businesses generally are of equal significance to enterprises in our rural industries, most of which are small. Rural enterprises are typically run by spouse partnerships, who cannot rely on external labour markets to supply their knowledge and skills needs. Consequently they will require opportunities to improve their competencies if they are to survive and prosper in increasingly competitive markets, and if they are to develop a necessary capacity continuously to upgrade processes and products. The report provides data strongly suggesting that almost all such enterprises employ fewer than five people. The Council believes that the major priorities for skills development in this context are: the need to develop quality management; and the need to emphasise the twin aspects of information technology: its utilisation as an important tool for all elements of management and its utilisation as a tool for learning. Show less