Indigenous business verification organisation Supply Nation and CommBank have expanded their national training program with the launch of new online modules, making the procurement capability program more accessible to verified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across Australia.
The online, self-paced delivery of the Drive training program — which has previously only been available to Supply Nation verified businesses — will ensure entrepreneurs continue to upskill while managing the day-to-day priorities of their business with each online module taking approximately one hour to complete.
The new online modules will allow the content to be shared more widely to the broader business sector and organisations with an interest in supporting the growth of Indigenous businesses.
Drive equips Indigenous businesses with the practical skills to compete for procurement opportunities, strengthen commercial capability and build long-term sustainable partnerships with corporate, government and not-for-profit buyers.
CommBank was a founding member of Supply Nation and has consistently supported the delivery of training to Supply Nation verified Indigenous suppliers.
Supply Nation CEO Kate Russell said the not-for-profit is proud to continue their partnership with CommBank to make Drive more accessible through online delivery.
"Drive has already helped Indigenous businesses build the confidence and capability to pursue procurement opportunities," Ms Russell said.
"By bringing the program online, we're making it easier for more business owners to access practical, flexible learning, wherever they are and at a time that suits them."
Supply Nation said the first two modules focus on key stages of the procurement journey.
Module One introduces the fundamentals of procurement, helping participants understand core processes, tender functions and requirements, and how to prepare, competitive, compliant proposals, while Module Two builds business capability and knowledge, covering negotiation, governance and contract finalisation to strengthen participants' confidence when engaging with procurement professionals.
"Strengthening procurement capability is an important part of supporting verified Indigenous businesses to secure new opportunities, achieve stronger commercial outcomes and build long-term economic empowerment," Ms Russell said.
"We're excited to see even more businesses benefit as the program continues to expand."
Supply Nation said additional modules will be released over the coming months, "providing further opportunities for businesses to build capability across a broad range of procurement and commercial skill topics".
The launch of Drive comes ahead of Supply Nation's flagship event for the Indigenous business sector, Connect, which will be held in Boorloo / Perth on August 11-12.
