State offers small business training at new web portal

A new – and free -- online training portal for Small and Emerging Business Development-certified businesses, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) has announced.

The online resource, http://ledsmallbiz.skillport.com, is designed to provide small businesses access to more than 40 course options, including marketing, strategic planning, computer skills, accounting, budget management, customer service and business etiquette.

"One of our top priorities is to cultivate small business, innovation and entrepreneurship statewide," said LED Secretary Stephen Moret. "By offering online training resources, we can reach more small businesses and provide them with increased access to tools that will help them succeed and grow.” Course content is divided into three business levels: startup, mid-growth and high-growth. Participants can view instructional videos, download course materials and participate in workshops at their convenience 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A business must be certified through the SEBD program to use the training services. LED is piloting the online training portal with more than 1,200 SEBD-certified businesses. After the launch, LED plans to add customized content about the state's incentives, workforce training and more as demand increases.

Further information is available at OpportunityLouisiana.com/Smallbizor https://smallbiz.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com/.