Our three AI management programmes are registered with the Regional Business Partner Network. If your growth advisor agrees that management training belongs in your business's action plan, some of the cost may be funded.
This guide covers how that works, who can apply and which of our programmes fits. For the programmes in full, see AI training for business leaders.
Elab Limited offers services that are registered with the Regional Business Partner Network. To explore if your business is eligible for support, contact your local Regional Business Growth Advisor here: Find your local Regional Business Partner
The Short Answer
- Our programmes are registered. All three are registered with the Regional Business Partner Network.
- Your growth advisor decides. Funding is arranged by a Regional Business Partner growth advisor, not by us.
- It covers part of the cost. The subsidy can cover up to 50% of the training, to a maximum of $5,000 a year, excluding GST.
- It isn't guaranteed. Funding is limited and the amount varies.
- It's for leaders. The programmes are for owners and senior managers, not your wider team.
What the Fund Is
The Management Capability Development Fund helps small businesses pay for training that builds the management skills of owners and key managers. It's only available through Regional Business Partner growth advisors, and only with registered providers. Read about the fund on business.govt.nz.
How It Works
- Register with your Regional Business Partner. Find your local partner on business.govt.nz.
- Meet a growth advisor. A discovery session covers your goals and where management skills could help.
- Agree an action plan. If management training is part of it, your advisor may suggest registered providers.
- Use the subsidy. If you're eligible, your advisor arranges it, and you book the programme with us.
Who Can Apply
Your business needs to:
- Have fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees
- Have a New Zealand Business Number and be trading in New Zealand
- Be registered for GST in New Zealand, which one-to-one training requires
- Have completed a discovery session with a growth advisor
There are other conditions, such as ownership type. See the full criteria on business.govt.nz.
Our Three Programmes
Each programme is private to your business, runs in person or online, and ends with a final applied exercise on your own work.
| Programme | Who It's For | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Foundations Training for Business Leaders | Owners and senior managers, 1 to 5 people | 12 hours over 4 weeks | NZ$10,000 plus GST |
| AI Readiness and Operations Training | Owners and senior managers running operations, 1 to 5 people | 12 hours over 4 weeks | NZ$10,000 plus GST |
| AI Training for Owner-Operators | One owner-operator | 6 hours over 2 weeks | NZ$5,000 plus GST |
- AI Foundations Training for Business Leaders: Weigh AI opportunities against your goals, costs and risks, set rules for information and review, and leave with your own adoption plan.
- AI Readiness and Operations Training: Map a workflow, check whether your information is ready for AI and set a baseline to judge an AI trial.
- AI Training for Owner-Operators: Weigh up one AI opportunity, decide how to check the output, and leave with your own action plan.
This training is registered with the Regional Business Partner Network. To explore if your business is eligible for support, contact your local Regional Business Growth Advisor here: Find your local Regional Business Partner
What the Fund Doesn't Cover
The fund pays for management training, so it doesn't cover training for your wider team, technical or software training, or consultancy where the provider does the work. If you'd like us to build AI into your business, that's our implementation work, which sits outside the fund. See the eligible subjects.
The AI Advisory Pilot Is Separate
The AI Advisory Pilot is a different programme run through the same network, with its own providers and criteria. ELab isn't a provider for the pilot, and the pilot doesn't cover standalone AI training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ELab Decide Who Gets Funding?
No. Your growth advisor decides, after their own discovery session with your business. We can explain the programmes, but we can't arrange, promise or speed up funding.
Is Funding Guaranteed?
No. Funding is limited, the amount varies, and meeting the criteria doesn't guarantee a subsidy.
Can My Wider Team Attend?
The programmes are for owners and senior managers. The fund doesn't cover training for your wider team.
Does This Apply in Australia?
No. The Regional Business Partner Network and its funding are for New Zealand businesses only.
Do the Prices Include GST?
No. Every price is plus GST. For one-to-one training, which covers all three programmes, your business must be registered for GST in New Zealand.
Getting Started
Register with your Regional Business Partner and book your discovery session. If management training is on your action plan, mention our AI programmes to your growth advisor, then book a call and we'll help you choose the right one.