SBA announces training for small businesses

The Small Business Administration has announced that businesses participating in the SBA 8(a) Business Development program and certain other disadvantaged companies may be eligible for free training as part of a nine-month series of national workshops.The workshop programs, “Basic CEO/Executive Development” and “Cost and Pricing,” will begin Jan. 9, 2007, in Portland, Ore.SBA said the training is being offered under its Management and Technical Assistance program and includes 80 workshops in 40 cities. Unlimited Services Systems Management and Consultants (USSMC), a small business based in Largo, Md., will conduct the seminars.The workshops will highlight:    * Perfecting the business and strategic plan.    * Marketing and doing business with the federal government.    * Learning the procurement process and how to write winning proposals.    * Understanding the fundamentals of indirect cost and rates.    * Setting up an acceptable accounting system for government, finance, audit, banking, invoicing and proposal purposes. Firms eligible for the two-day development workshop include 8(a)-certified firms in the developmental stage of the 8(a) program. Also eligible are firms that operate in high-unemployment or low-income areas, firms owned by low-income individuals, firms that have been in business less than four years, and HUBZone-certified firms.The one-day “Cost and Pricing” workshop targets firms in accounting, finance, pricing, cost proposal or contracts administration.The maximum capacity for each session is 40, and classes are limited to one representative from each firm.“SBA is committed to helping small business owners manage and grow their businesses, gain access to federal contracting opportunities, and remain competitive in the federal marketplace,” said SBA Administrator Steven Preston. “We are happy USSMC has joined us to offer this valuable training.”