In the first South Australian funding round of 2024, which closed in May, UniHub Spencer Gulf was approved to receive funding to continue delivering its Professional Development Short Courses through 2024-2025, under the Workforce Development category.
Local Buying Foundation funding will subsidize face-to-face professional development courses delivered by the University of Adelaide. These courses will be available to the communities of Port Pirie, Port Augusta, and Roxby Downs, including popular offerings like Introduction to Project Management and From Team Member to Team Leader. Designed to meet the needs of local businesses, the courses address challenges associated with accessing quality training in regional South Australia.
Running from July 2024 to June 2026, the project will deliver four courses annually, offering critical skills across industries, such as business writing and managing difficult situations. The funding will help reduce costs for smaller businesses, making these valuable training sessions more accessible and supporting the development of a future-ready workforce.
The SA Local Buying Foundation Advisory Committee and Trustees approved this funding based on the successful outcomes of the 2023 short courses delivered by UniHub, which were also funded by the Local Buying Foundation. Each course was well-received within the regional business community, leading to waiting lists and expressions of interest for its continuation. Participants commented: “I have gained great tools to add to my toolbox, as well as strategies around communication and leadership styles.” and “I am confident to implement new strategies with my team when undertaking staff development.”
This project reflects the Local Buying Foundation’s commitment to building thriving communities and enhancing long-term capacity in regional areas. It also strengthens relationships with regional stakeholders like UniHub Spencer Gulf, enabling the delivery of practical, relevant, and impactful solutions for local businesses.
More information about upcoming courses, including booking links, can be found on our Events page.