What is the Digital Boost Programme and how can NZ businesses get involved?

Digital is the way of the future, and having a strong digital presence makes you more likely to succeed. With self-employed and small businesses making up 97% of the nation’s business sector, now’s the time to go digital.

In a partnership between some of NZ’s digital leaders, the Digital Boost Programme exists to help businesses learn vital digital skills needed for the future.

It’s estimated that the Digital Boost Training Programme will provide digital literacy skills to assist with growth for over 30,000 small and medium-sized businesses. The aim is to improve digital skills, improve productivity and create more resilient businesses.

The pandemic forced many businesses in New Zealand to go digital. Whether it was shifting their product offering online, shifting work to a remote model, or overall improving their efficiency, it benefited many businesses. In response to this swift digitalisation, in 2021, the NZ Budget announced an additional $44 million towards improving the Digital Boost Programme over the next two years.

Designed for small to medium-sized businesses, the Digital Boost Skills Training Programme encourages everyone to learn the skills to thrive in our digital world. If you haven’t yet taken advantage of the programme, we’ve rounded up some common questions you might have about getting started.

How much does the training programme cost?

The Digital Boost Programme is free for NZ small and medium-sized businesses.

What’s included in the training?

In the programme, you’ll learn a variety of different skills spanning many different areas including:

• Digital tools and software
• All about websites
• Digital marketing basics
• The importance of social media
• Business insights and data
• Accounting for small and medium-sized businesses
• Warehousing and point of sale
• And so much more!

What can I expect to learn during the programme?

In the training, you’ll have the opportunity to access hundreds of short videos on-demand. The videos include practical advice and skills that help you understand how to better your business through the digital age.

Each module in the Digital Boost Programme walks you through key areas that allow you to pinpoint new and efficient ways of taking your business digital. At the end of the programme, you should feel more confident in how to reach more customers, grow your business and improve productivity across every aspect of your business.

The main benefit of the programme is that it’s self-paced, allowing you to upskill at times that are most convenient for you. There are no assessments, which helps to take the pressure off those juggling business commitments. Those who sign up will also have access to daily Q&A, frequent fireside chats and access to specialised support.

How can I sign up for the Digital Boost Programme?

Any registered business or sole trader in New Zealand can sign up for the Digital Boost Programme.

To get started, head over to the Digital Boost website. Click on the ‘Sign Up’ button and fill out your details. You’ll need to create an account so be sure to record your login information somewhere secure.

Once you’ve created your account, you’ll be prompted to fill out a short questionnaire so the content can be tailored best to your needs and situation. From here, you’re all set and ready to jump in. You can continue to log in to find new content as well as any upcoming events for you.

Looking to take your HR and payroll digital?

With all of this talk about getting your business online, have you considered taking your HR and payroll digital? We can help you streamline your HR and payroll processes, allowing you to spend your valuable time growing your business. Our purpose-built software can help you onboard, manage, pay, motivate and engage your team with our cloud-based solution.

We’re launching employers toward their goals and powering more productive teams. We’re inspiring people to climb higher and realise their potential — no matter what size of business you’re in.

With Employment Hero’s all-in-one employment platform you can send out employment contracts, onboard, and induct new recruits online. Manage your people with built-in contracts, policies and HR templates that are ready to go when you are. Manage performance with feedback loops, inbuilt goal management, custom performance reviews and one-on-one templates.

Sound good? Get in touch with one of our small business specialists to learn more.