Results of an Australian small business survey conducted to identify their key skills gaps and training requirements. The report highlights the need for a unique and flexible approach to ensuring small businesses can meet their training and skill development needs. The results will be used to advocate to government in relation to current, proposed and future reforms in skills and education. 

Key findings

• Just 8% of respondents said there was no current or looming skills shortage.
• 52% said their industry had minimum education requirements.
• 87% said soft skills such as communication and time management were most useful to their businesses.
• Time and cost were the most common challenges faced when providing training to employees.
• 86% of respondents wanted training subsidies from government.

Key recommendations

• Incentives for both employee and employer –  training subsidies are key.
• Update training and apprenticeship programs to maintain relevancy and fit to industry needs.
• Increase availability of soft skill training options.
• Improve engagement by vocational education and training sector with employers and industry.
• Jobs and Skills Councils urgently update their training products to better reflect the skills and training needs of enterprise training and certifications to improve the 'speed to market' training programs.