Learning

A range of learning and education programs and resources are available to assist the development of innovators and entrepreneurs from grass roots through to more advanced levels.

Free Workforce Planning Courses

UniSC, in collaboration with the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) and Jobs Queensland (JQ), offer a suite of free microcredential courses designed to help businesses and regions establish the fundamentals for long term success.

Digital Leap Mentoring Program

A Game-changing Opportunity for Moreton Bay Businesses to Get Ahead through Tech Adoption.

In a world where technology is constantly evolving, staying ahead isn't just an advantage, it's a necessity. For small and medium enterprises, embracing technology is the cornerstone of growth and success. However, for those who don’t know where to start, taking the leap can be daunting.

We are looking for small businesses in the Moreton Bay region who would like to implement new technologies into their day-to-day operations, but just aren’t sure how to begin.

In this three-month long program, we will connect you with experts, resources and events to support your business into taking the digital leap.

Innovate to Grow

A self-paced and virtually delivered program designed to help small to medium sized businesses learn more about collaborative research and development.

This free 8-week online program provides SMEs access to researcher connections, a self-paced learning platform, networking opportunities, guest speakers and expert feedback. Participants can address business challenges, explore collaborations, and create R&D plans within this supportive environment.

Creating Your Future Job Moreton Bay

Creating Your Future Job Moreton Bay is a 7-week self-employment program for local youth aged 15 to 21 years living in the Moreton Bay Region. During the program, participants will identify a local problem or market need and brainstorm a micro-business solution to make an income. Self-employment offers a viable and flexible career path for young people, putting them in control of their own futures and allowing them to create jobs based on their areas of interest or passion.

We bring experienced facilitators, engaging content and all the necessary materials to deliver the program at your location. All we need from you is a group of enthusiastic students and a suitable classroom environment. Each workshop can accommodate a maximum of 10 students - teachers are strongly encouraged to nominate their disengaged and or disadvantaged youth.

Media and storytelling resource kits

Advance Queensland supports startups in Queensland. They are passionate about promoting innovation as an integral part of Queensland's culture, alongside sports and sunshine. To amplify the innovation message, they believe in the power of entrepreneurs and innovators sharing their stories.

There are two essential resource kits that are free to use. The Media Release Resource Kit and the Storytelling Resource Kit where you will find:

  • Where Australians get their news
  • What innovation stories are Queenslanders interested in
  • Five key questions to ask yourself before doing media
  • The importance of owning your narrative and managing your brand
  • Basics of writing a media release
  • Media release exercise
  • The mechanics of contacting the media and pitching your story
  • What not to do
  • Key questions to ask yourself
  • The elements of storytelling
  • Stagecraft

Is your business prepared? Free planning course

In an ever-changing business landscape, unforeseen events can quickly reshape the direction of your business. This is where our new Continuity Planning Course can help. This comprehensive 7-week course, led by Dr Wayne Graham, is designed to equip Queensland business owners and managers with the tools to develop a robust continuity plan. Whether you are looking to tackle challenges or seize new opportunities, this course has you covered.

You will learn from renowned academics and industry experts who will guide you on protecting your investments, effectively managing risks and building resilience. Additionally, you’ll connect with like-minded business owners and managers to solve problems together through group scenarios.

Participants who fully complete the course, including all assessment items, will earn one elective course credit towards UniSC’s Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. The Continuity Planning Course is delivered in partnership with the Queensland Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training.

Workforce Evolve

Business Chamber Queensland knows business, including that attracting, hiring, and retaining the right people is one of the biggest constraints on business growth. To help employers address the labour shortage, the Workforce Evolve e-learning program is designed to help employers think differently about who you hire and how to retain them in the future.

With some changes in approach and the use of inclusive employment practices, the Workforce Evolve program will help employers develop a recruitment strategy to unlock a new segment of job seekers from these under-represented groups and in doing so, enrich your organisation with the right skills and diverse contributions. Free access to 6 self-paced, online learning modules allows employers the flexibility to choose your starting point based on your specific needs and goals. Access a library of downloadable, practical resources and free, personalised Workforce Evolve Coaching for support to convert learning into action and to maximise change within your organization.

The program is FREE, and open to any employer in Queensland.

Register to access the Workforce Evolve learning platform. Not sure if this is for you? Chat with a Workforce Coach to understand how the program can help your business. This project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government through its Workforce Connect Fund.     

Digital Solutions Program

At last! An easy way to unlock the power of digital business tools.

You know that you need to embrace the digital age to stay competitive in business, but it’s hard to find low-cost, plain English advice to get started, right? Our Digital Advisors and Experts are here to help!

Get up to four hours of mentoring support, including the development of a tailored Digital Action Plan for your business, for just $110 inc. GST, subsidised through the Digital Solutions program.

You will receive one-on-one support in up to five key areas:

  • Intro to Digitising Your Business
  • Using Small Business Software
  • Online Security and Data Privacy
  • Websites and Selling Online
  • Social Media and Digital Marketing

You will also gain access to unlimited workshops being held in your region and online.

The help you've been looking for is now here. Click below to get started.

Business Resilience in Challenging Times: Lessons from the Moreton Bay Region

Small regional businesses have been hardest hit by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. University of the Sunshine Coast in collaboration with Innovate Moreton Bay conducted research to better understand small business resilience and assist the broader community.

UniSC

USC is focused on delivering a quality educational experience, with choice in degrees, lifestyle benefits, experiences, modern facilities and a commitment to support for students.

TAFE Queensland

TAFE Queensland is Queensland's largest, most experienced training provider, delivering practical, industry-relevant training from entry-level certificates to bachelor's degrees.

Queensland Reginal Innovation Benchmark (QRIB)

The University of the Sunshine cOast (USC) lead a research project which aimed to assess regional businesses' innovation capability and performance, based on a validated measurement framework, and compared with Queensland and Australia day. Resulting in one Benchmark Report which shows areas of good performance and prioritise for action for each region.

Industry Growth Program

The program provides an Advisory Service for startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) undertaking innovative commercialisation and/or growth projects that are within the priority areas of the Australian Government’s National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) and help build Australia’s manufacturing capability for the future.

Entrepreneurial Talent & Capacity Development in the Moreton Bay Ecosystem

Moreton Bay is one of Australia's fastest-growing areas, projected to grow 690,000 residents by 2041. The region strives to further develop its dynamic economy, invest in critical infrastructure projects and networks, and stimulate and support innovative business development.

Innovate Moreton Bay, supported by Advance Queensland's Advancing Regional Innovation Program (ARIP), and its key partners have implemented various initiatives from 2018 to 2020 to stimulate the local innovation ecosystem and turn the region into a hub for innovation and enterprise.

Digital Solutions - Australian Small Business Advisory Program

The program works with small businesses to make the most of digital tools and offers broader advice specific to your business needs (including support for businesses affected by COVID). The Digital Solutions program is $44 for 7 hours of support and your first interaction with the service is free. Register your interest with a local advisor.

Mentoring for Growth - Looking to grow your business and need some help?

Mentoring for Growth (M4G) offers eligible businesses free access to volunteer business experts who provide insights, options, and suggestions relating to challenges and opportunities you are experiencing in your business. When you participate in the M4G program, the Queensland Government matches its mentors' expertise and experience with the business challenge or opportunity you have identified. M4G is currently being delivered online only.

MBRC Regional Economic Development Strategy

The Regional Economic Development Strategy 2020-2041 (REDS) provides the blueprint for Council, industry and the business community to collaboratively build a $40 billion economy by attracting and generating 100,000 new jobs for our region by 2041.


The REDS provides long-term economic direction for the region and drives innovation and entrepreneurship to position the Moreton Bay region as one of Australia’s top 10 regional innovation hubs by 2041.

Ask Morty

Ask Morty is an easy-to-use chatbot, designed to help small businesses quickly find where the largest number of specific population segments currently live in the Moreton Bay Region, or where those segments might live the future.

Pitch Central by Startup Onramp

It can he hard to create and deliver a compelling pitch. Sometimes an external perspective is what’s needed.

Startup Onramp have worked with hundreds of startup founders to help them build and refine winning pitches.

No matter how crappy your pitch, with the right resources and guidance you can turn it into a pitch that gets results!

Queensland Government: Advice on Starting a Business

Find what you need to know to help you start your business in Queensland.

Get free advice on starting or readying your business, finance essentials, finding and hiring staff and more!

Support for Businesses in Australia

Find what you need to know to help you start your business in Queensland.

Ignite+

Supporting Queensland’s innovative, high-growth potential startups and scaleups to grow and succeed.