The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) presented the first module of its inaugural Developing Business Skills for ICT Entrepreneurs Program in Sydney last week.

The first in four modules of course work, speaker presentations and case studies, the course has been designed specifically for business owners and managers of established ICT companies with less than 20 employees.

The program has been developed by AIIA's Local Industry Action Group (LIAG), which identifies and addresses key industry development issues confronting Australian ICT small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).

According to AIIA's Chief Executive Officer, Rob Durie, AIIA is delighted with the results so far. "AIIA's underlying vision is to help companies to grow their businesses 'from a million to a billion'," Mr Durie says.

"We're committed to building the premier program for small ICT businesses in Australia, and we expect this to become the 'must do' course for the next generation of ICT entrepreneurs," he says.

One of the most unique aspects of the program has been AIIA's ability to provide participants with access to experienced and successful ICT entrepreneurs as mentors.

David Merson, founder and former managing director of Mincom, was awarded the inaugural CSIRO Award for Individual Achievement in ICT at the ninth annual iAwards in May for his outstanding contribution to the Australian ICT industry.

Merson is just one of the mentors involved in the project. Other high profile mentors include Allan Brackin founder and former managing director of Volante, Chris Howells founder of Netcom, John Gwyther, founder and executive chairman of Tusc, Murray Rankin, founder and chief executive officer of The Distillery, and John Stockbridge, director of Brookstone Technologies.

"Mentoring is a powerful way for some of the ICT industry's leaders to share their professional experience and expertise, and to help these high potential companies meet the challenges ahead as they build their businesses," said Rob Durie.

AIIA's Developing Business Skills for ICT Entrepreneurs program is an Australian Government funded service under the Small Business Enterprise Culture Program. The Victorian and ACT Governments have also contributed funding to the program.

More information about the Developing Business Skills for ICT Entrepreneurs Program is available from AIIA's website: www.aiia.com.au.