Business people in the Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Fraser Coast regions will have the chance to boost their operations and aspirations through five Business short courses being offered by USC.

The first of the new Business short courses will begin on Friday 18 June, with all courses to be held over various days between June and September on three USC campuses at Hervey Bay, Sippy Downs and Petrie.

Organiser and USC Lecturer in Human Resource Management Dr John Whiteoak said all five themed TE (Theory and Experience) Courses would offer highly practical and evidence-based content to regional residents in small class environments.

“Participating in a TE Course is a great way to experience studying at university level while gaining the latest skills and knowledge for the current economic climate,” he said.

“Completion of additional assessment after three modules could lead to credit towards a USC postgraduate Business degree.”

Dr Whiteoak, who has more than 20 years’ experience delivering leadership and supervisor development courses, will present the first course – Leadership for Optimal Team Engagement.

“Designed for team leaders or aspiring leaders, it will provide foundational skills for building a more productive and engaged workplace culture,” he said.

The four other courses are:

• Accounting Fundamentals, for people wanting to understand, analyse and interpret accounting reports, prepare cash budgets and build basic business plans for controlling costs and setting prices. Presented by Charles Sturt University Emeritus Professor of Accounting and University Leadership Robert Coombes.
• Strategic Market Thinking, to provide practical skills for understanding the market and developing marketing plans to increase the effectiveness of a business and create value for customers. Presented by Associate Professor of Marketing Melissa Johnson Morgan.
• Fintech for Managers, to explain how technology is reshaping finance and creating new opportunities for businesses, including a step-by-step guide to tech-driven ways of raising funds, enhancing revenues and reducing costs. Presented by USC Senior Lecturer in Finance and Economics Dr Hammad Siddiqi.
• Digital Futures, for entrepreneurs, managers and business leaders seeking key skills to digitally supercharge their small to medium sized businesses, from customer experience to digital innovation. Presented by USC Lecturer in Business Dr Anthony Grace and Adjunct Associate Professor Gavin Keeley.

Dr Whiteoak said each course would be offered as a series of three bite-size modules, and participants could choose to attend for one or two days or register for the whole three-day course.

For details, including costs, go to www.usc.edu.au/te-courses or call 5430 1144.