A Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry initiative, delivered as part of the THRIVE program, is meeting SMEs where they are – providing practical support and the confidence to make AI work for their business.
At a glance
Organisation: Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Victorian Chamber).
Program: THRIVE – Unlocking Growth and Productivity for SMEs
Target audience: Victorian small-medium enterprises (SMEs) and employees.
Timeframe: FY 2026, Piloted September to December 2025.
Primary goal: Build AI confidence and capability through practical, relevant and accessible support that helps SMEs evolve and thrive.
Delivery model: Tiered learning model designed to meet SMEs where they are on their AI journey, with flexible learning pathways and aftercare support.
Tools used: Microsoft Copilot, content platform and digital Credly badging.
Governance: Led by the Victorian Chamber in partnership with Microsoft and AI Growth Academy.
Key outcomes
- Over 530 participants engaged, including strong representation from regional Victoria and diverse business communities.
- Immediate productivity gains and workflow improvements, with learnings applied in real business contexts to deliver measurable impact.
- AI Drop-In Clinic rated highly for practical support, enabling participants to refine and embed AI workflows.
- Positive feedback and verified use cases demonstrating tangible business benefits and growth in AI maturity.
- NPS score of 8.6/10 reflecting high participation satisfaction.
- More than 56 Credly digital credentials issued (for the Pilot), validating participants’ new AI capabilities.
- Strong demand for ongoing training, evidenced by a waitlist of businesses for the next workshop series.
- Testimonials from SME owners highlight the program’s practical value and transformative impact.
The challenge
AI offers huge opportunity for SMEs, but many are overwhelmed by choice, fragmented advice, and have limited time and resources.
Feedback from Victorian Chamber members via the 2025 Victorian Business Pulse Survey demonstrates AI adoption as the number 2 ranked enabler and revealed a clear gap in foundational AI understanding with 13% not started, 60% experimenting, 21% applying and 2% operationalising. SMEs were wary of risks associated with change yet see AI as a top enabler for growth.
To respond to this need, practical, accessible and trusted support was required – equipping them with the skills and confidence to adopt AI and achieve a clear, rapid return on effort and investment.
About the project
The Victorian Chamber created an AI enablement solution, under the overarching THRIVE program that leveraged expertise across its network, helping SMEs boost productivity, cut administrative burden, upskill their teams, and drive sustainable growth.
The strategy is built around four key pillars and underpinned by the trust in the Victorian Chamber and partners:
- Demystify: Latest AI news, thought leadership, case studies, and policy guidance tailored for SMEs.
- Upskill: Applied interactive learning, with verified curated experiences and accredited/non-accredited options.
- Enable: Member benefit programs and drop-in clinics for hands-on support.
- Connect and grow: Network of excellence, peer learning, and ongoing engagement to foster innovation and collaboration.
Central to the strategy is the ‘upskill and educate’ pillar, delivered through a framework to support businesses at every stage of their AI journey:
- Curious: Entry-level awareness and exploration, through interactive virtual sessions and AI-focused resources, introducing SMEs to AI essentials, practical applications, and real-world demonstrations.
- Confident: Practical application and experimentation, via modular thematics-based learning, supporting SMEs to develop confidence through practical, applicable skilling.
- Capable: Strategic integration and innovation, through hands-on series combining in-person and online sessions, moving businesses from experimentation to measurable impact.
The ‘capable’ stream offers an in-person THRIVE AI Workshop, co-designed with AI Growth Academy, providing a clear, practical path to mastering AI for time-poor SMEs. Participants learn to optimise existing tools, apply effective prompting techniques, and build customised AI workflows.
Participants earn a Victorian Chamber Digital Credential (via Credly) on completion of the program.
“With AI projected to create 200,000 jobs and deliver $115 billion in economic value to Australia by 2030, we must act now to upskill our workforce and give SMEs the tools they need to thrive. This program is about turning curiosity into capability – helping business owners and their teams understand AI and apply it practically, with support every step of the way.”
Antoinette Truda, Executive Director, Commercial Services, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The impact
- High SME engagement: Strong uptake of a trusted industry-led program, with ongoing demand reflecting growing confidence and demystification of AI.
- Capability pathways established: Structured multi-level AI learning catered to everyone from beginners to more advanced users, matching the diverse SME needs.
- Flexible learning formats delivered: A mix of self-directed digital content, interactive workshops, and in-person drop-in clinics allowed trust and confidence in AI adoption to build.
- Broad industry reach and applicability: Participants came from a diverse range of roles and industries – from construction to professional services to medical.
“The AI Workshop was a fantastic kickstart – clear, practical and engaging. I walked away with fresh ideas I can apply immediately.”
Grant Wyatt, Head of HR, Ensign Laboratories
Lessons learned
- Trust is crucial: Many SMEs are still wary of AI, but they are more open to learning when guided by a trusted advisor like the Victorian Chamber.
- One size doesn’t fit all: SMEs need a selection of flexible, non-linear pathways rather than a rigid curriculum.
- Partnerships fill expertise gaps: Internal teams needed support, so strategic partnerships, including with Microsoft and AI Growth Academy, were essential for content quality and delivery.
Challenges faced
- Stay current: AI is evolving rapidly, so content must be updated frequently to remain relevant.
- Scalability requires coordination: Scaling the program requires alignment with government and industry, and a unified, trusted source of AI training to avoid market fragmentation.
- Foundational gaps are widespread: A significant number of businesses were only using basic AI tools and lacked understanding of safe and effective application.
Next steps
Next steps include refining content to keep pace with evolving needs, continuing targeted outreach, and introducing an aftercare service through an AI helpline to support businesses beyond initial training.
Scaling is a key priority. The program aims to expand nationally with partner support, maintaining generalist AI training as the foundation for most organisations. Advanced modules on leadership, risk, compliance, and agentic AI are being explored and will be guided by industry need.
Growth will be underpinned by collaboration with government and industry to create a trusted, unified approach to AI upskilling to reduce fragmentation and build confidence across the SME sector.
“We’re just getting started. The appetite for AI learning is real, and we’re committed to evolving the program to meet the needs of every SME – from the curious to the capable.”
Nick Clare, General Manager Commercial Development, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
About the Victorian Chamber
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the largest not-for-profit business organisation in Victoria, informing and supporting more than 100,000 businesses and individuals across the state. It provides programs, information and support to members and non-members to ensure a diverse and robust business community.
Learn more about the Victorian Chamber.
Learn more about the Victorian Chamber’s Practical AI for Business Workshop.
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