Federal Minister for Skills, Science and Research, Chris Bowen, has launched Google’s new Engage training program which will aim to provide assistance to Australia’s small business to make them more net-savvy.

The 2013 Google Engage program provides free online and face-to-face training to businesses specialising in search engine optimisation, website development and online advertising.

Mr Bowen said small businesses and organisations that provide marketing services needed to understand how internet services can be used to drive and grow their business online.

"The Government runs a range of support and training programs to open the door for local businesses to a whole new online world of national and international customers," Mr Bowen said.

"It is great to see an organisation of Google's calibre making a contribution in this vital new frontier for small business.

"Through such programs, local businesses will be able to harness the services of one of the world's biggest search engine companies to attract the right customers to their business.