A refresher on business management principles or a brand new set of skills in the subject might be just what some in the local business community need to help push through the uncharted waters of COVID-19. Southeast College announced today they can get those skills and possibly have the government pay for the privilege.

In partnership with the Estevan Chamber of Commerce, the college said chamber members will get a series of new classes at a discount. What's more, the government will subsidize 100 percent of training costs for business management essentials classes through the Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy.

"That course has gone virtual so it's an online class now," said college marketing and media relations manager Sheena Onrait. "So we're really excited about that, really excited that we feel more folks will have a chance to get in and get enrolled and the classes will be more accessible across the board."

The subsidy for these classes was first announced two weeks ago as the government of Saskatchewan tried to incentivize more people to contribute to the reopening of the province. Employers can also send employees to be trained and have the government pay for it. 

"Eligible employers can receive up to 100 percent of their training costs through this subsidy," Onrait said. "There's some more information on our website as well as the information on the government's website."

According to Onrait, there's no one type of professional they're looking to train in these courses. Classes range from conflict resolution to supervising others to time management to COVID-19 prevention and management.  

"Really it applies across every industry and every business," she said. "We all need a little push in the right direction sometimes, and sometimes we just need a little reassurance that what we're doing is what's new and what's innovative."

Onrait hopes even veteran businesspeople will consider the courses as the landscape of the business world has changed a lot through the last five years. And with COVID-19 making life a little weirder all the time, she thinks a lot of people are looking for some sort of guidance. 

"I think even just the opportunity to meet up with like-minded folks, even in a virtual environment," she said, "and being able to express your challenges and your successes and being able to share that with other people that are in the same situation and same mindset as you is a huge advantage."

Classes run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00-11:00 in the morning. A full list of classes is available on the college's website. Applicants do not have to apply for every single class as they are delivered independently.