Facebook and Aus government giving free training to regional small businesses

Facebook and the federal government will provide in-person training for 3,000 small businesses in regional Australia, in what they're calling the Community Boost Initiative. The plan was announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg at the 2017 APEC CEO Summit in Da Nang (both pictured).

Sandberg said: “In 2018, we will provide customised in-person training for 3,000 small businesses and journalists, and privacy and safety workshops for students, parents, educators and seniors, to empower these local communities with the digital skills to thrive and grow their voice online.”

The initiative will commence in Mackay, Queensland early next year. Facebook reports that in Australia more than one million small businesses have a Facebook page and nearly 200 million people around the world are connected to a business in Australia.