COVID brings unexpected benefits for southwest business

Not wanting to shut down their vocational training enterprise because COVID-19, Aaron and Tabitha Lippert sought new ways to teach, and the outcomes have surprised even them.

Tabitha and Aaron Lippert, franchisees of Specialised Career Solutions Southwest Queensland, have found surprising success during the COVID-19 pandemic after they moved their vocational training courses fully online.

CORONAVIRUS has changed the way locals do business, and for one Roma couple, restrictions on social distancing have actually changed theirs for the better.

Normally, Aaron and Tabitha Lippert would run their vocational training courses in-person for large groups, but the new franchisees of Specialised Career Solutions have been forced to make a big shift in how they educate students – moving the entire enterprise online.

Online training was something they had never done before, and a surprise came with the success of their new methods; the Lipperts said coronavirus has actually been a boon for the business, with more people taking up short courses in first aid, security, and firearm safety.

“There are a lot of people who require these kinds of qualifications, but with social distancing, it has been difficult for them to attain it,” Mr Lippert said.

“But with the e-learning we have been able to provide them not only to people here in Roma, but all over western Queensland.

“It is different, but there has been a smooth transition and it has actually made things a lot easier for the students, who can learn at their own pace; they can do the training whenever they need to.

“They all have busy lives, so going online has really made it more flexible from the students’ side of things as well as ours.”

Since going online, the Roma-based business has been able to branch out and offer their specialist education to people across the southwest; Mr Lippert’s newer students have dialling in from locations including St George, Taroom and Wandoan to take part.

Having now embraced distance education for their courses, the Lipperts hope to continue with the enterprise even when they can run face-to-face lessons again.

Looking back on their journey since taking over the franchise earlier this year, Mrs Lippert can’t believe they didn’t offer online classes sooner.

“Previously, Aaron has been conducting training for many years, and now taking on the new business with Specialised Career Solutions, it is kind of ironic that through a crisis we have been able to find opportunities,” she said.

“We do think it will continue this way, because it conveniences the students, and has definitely highlighted a more personal mentorship between them and Aaron.”

Specialised Career Solutions Southwest Queensland is a Registered Training Organisation, code: 32292.

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