Labor promises free NBN training for small businesses

The Australian government is continuing to spend on raising the awareness of the National Broadband Network (NBN) within businesses, with it announcing another around of grants on Monday.

The Minister Assisting for the Digital Economy, Innovation and Industry Kate Lundy said that the government will provide the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) with a grant of AU$542,900 to provide free training to small and medium-sized businesses that want to prepare for the NBN.

The funding comes out of the government's Digital Enterprise Program, and will serve businesses in Melbourne's inner south, inner east, south east, and the Mornington Peninsula.

"The Rudd Labor government wants to make sure that businesses are getting the most out of the NBN, and VECCI is the perfect fit to promote the benefits of high-speed broadband," Lundy said in a statement.

Melbourne's north west and outer east are already being supported by an AU$413,000 grant provided to the Darebin Enterprise Centre announced in July, and also aimed at providing NBN support and training to businesses in the area.

Earlier this month, the government provided the Australian Services Roundtable and Restaurant & Catering Australia each with AU$500,000 in funding to produce a "digital business kit" aimed at getting businesses to use the NBN. A total of AU$5 million has been budgeted for the kits, which are expected to cover 10 industry sectors.