A BRISBANE start-up hopes to revolutionise Australia's $5.2 billion training industry with a last-minute online course-booking model inspired by accommodation trailblazer Wotif.com.

Startnextweek.com.au allows consumers to browse, compare, book and buy training courses online up to a month in advance and at discounts of 50 per cent or more.

Founders Richard Brooks and George Galanos say they are first to market with the concept after realising the need to streamline the process of sourcing training for corporations, small business and students.

"No one else is doing it at this point and I'm sure there'll be people who think it's a great idea and, just like Wotif, there'll be another 40 people doing the same thing," Mr Galanos says. "But for now, as far as buying live with places and pricing, it's just us."

The website offers courses from 500 training providers, with plans to have the bulk of Australia's 7500 non-university providers on its books. Courses range from $300 to $40,000 in areas from project management to aviation to pole dancing.

Startnextweek has enjoyed an encouraging number of bookings in its first month, with about half those being for trade courses such as forklift and bobcat tickets, Mr Galanos says.

But he stresses they equally cater to pleasure seekers, such as the electrical contractor who booked a rally driving course for his entire work team to blow off some steam.

Mr Galanos says providers offer significant last-minute savings, with one $3500 weekend lifestyle course going for $1300. "Providers run a training course and they know there'll be one or two seats empty. If they could fill the seats then there's no additional cost to them, they actually get more to the bottom line," he says.

Beyond pricing, the value for customers lies in the ease of comparing the price and content of different training providers, to search by date and to see place numbers available.

Those who miss out on a given course can "wait list" and receive email alerts if a vacancy arises.

Startnextweek.com.au makes its money through a 10 per cent commission on each sale, as well as a nominal listing fee.

The Courier Mail
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