The Franchise Council of Australia has launched a new diploma course designed to prepare prospective franchisors to manage the various aspects of a franchise, including handling relationships with franchisees and ensuring high levels of customer service.
The diploma comes as FCA director Jason Gehrke says more education should be given to prospective franchisors before they enter the industry.
“The consistent theme through federal franchise enquiries held during 2008 found that greater education was needed about the sector.”
Gehrke says many Australian entrepreneurs break into business by operating a franchise, but they often don’t understand what they are getting into with regards to cost, life/work balance and a healthy relationship with their franchisor.
“It’s a well regulated sector, but the regulation doesn’t necessarily help people acquire skills on the way in to franchising. Instead, it regulates what happens afterwards. Many people underestimate the cost and scope of the franchising effort.”
Gerhke says he will stand behind “any initiative which enhances education in the franchising sector”.
The 12-week Diploma of Franchising course will be presented by “leading professionals and will cover a range of topics including relationship management and how to operate within current regulations”.
The course, which will be available at the HAYS International College in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Box Hill, is designed to provide “practical and affordable learning outcomes that can be applied the very next day”.
Steve Wright, executive director of the Franchise Council of Australia, says the qualification will help prospective business owners break into the industry, and agrees more education is needed.
“I think there’s a very strong use for education in the complete spectrum of the franchising sector. And I think it’s our role to fill as many gaps as possible, with the aim of educating as much as possible.”
“This nationally recognised franchise qualification is a big step in the right direction for the Australian franchise sector,” Wright said.
“We’ll cover practical aspects like regulation, look at the franchising model and why it’s so different from other types of businesses, we’ll cover business basics and so on,”
Wright also said the course will cost less than other courses of its type, and will put a significant emphasis on face-to-face training.
“In addition to opportunities for individuals, they also provide great opportunities for businesses to foster staff development and retention.”
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
