News from our Queensland RICA, Emma Earl

News and views on industry careers and skill needs for
Brisbane North and the Sunshine Coast
RICA Region 29
Issue 7 - Autumn 2009
What’s coming up:
Mentoring Skills the Existing Workforce
and Nurtures New Talent

Australian businesses view formal in-house training and mentoring as the most effective
ways to upskill employees, according to an Ai Group report.
The findings in the Skilling the Existing Workforce project report suggest that we need to
build the internal capability of Australian companies to more effectively train and develop
their employees.

Through the Career Advice Australia initiative,
construction workers on the Sunshine Coast are
supporting youth development while learning
mentoring skills that can be transferred back to the
workplace.

Local Community Partnership SCsILS has partnered
with Integrated Family and Youth Services (IFYS) Inc
to facilitate the ‘Hard Yacca’ mentoring program.

‘Hard Yacca’ links young people in Years 8-10 at Maroochydore State High School with the
building and construction industry. Based largely on schools grounds, ‘Hard Yacca’
participants engage in gardening, landscaping, painting, and small construction projects with
the support of industry mentors.

Industry participants include Bunnings Warehouse, which has supplied resources for the
program as well mentoring support. Third and fourth year apprentices from Acclaim
Apprentices and Trainees are also acting as ‘Hard Yacca’ mentors. For further information on
the program, please contact Hayley Baggieri at SCsILS (phone 0411 809 016 or email
hayleyb@scsils.com.au).

The ‘Hard Yacca’ program is funded by the Department of Education, Employment and
Workplace Relations (DEEWR) under the Mentors For Our Students (MFOS) initiative.

‘Move Over RPA…’
Redcliffe Hospital invites local
media students to film behindthe-
scenes in 2009

Ai Group Reports
Key information from the
Australian Industry Group
‘In the Loop’

Keep up-to-date with snapshots
from current employment and
training research
CAA Movements
Keep track of support in your
local area

Brisbane Career and
Employment Expo and
WorldSkills Competition
(Brisbane Conference and
Exhibition Centre, 8-9 May)

Caboolture Career and
Employment Expo
(Morayfield Community Centre,
25 May)

Institute of Chartered
Accountants ‘Meet the
Business Leader’ Event
(Brisbane Convention Centre,
10 June)


Emma Earl
Emma Earl
Regional Industry Career Adviser
Career Advice Australia

Environmental Snapshot: Sunshine Coast*
Consistent population growth and a thriving tourism industry on the Sunshine Coast have
driven local employment in construction, education, business, and property services.
Manufacturing is the largest employing industry on the Sunshine Coast and generates
approximately 7.3 percent of the region’s GDP

In the inland areas of the Sunshine Coast, agriculture and agricultural processing are key
employers (myfuture, 2007). Sugar, macadamia nuts, pineapples, and other fruits are the
primary produce in these areas.

There is anticipated growth in community services and healthcare. Nambour Hospital is the
region’s major hospital. A new hospital is scheduled to be built by 2015, which will result in
increased local employment opportunities in this sector.

* Information taken from RICA 29 Environmental Scan (2009)


About Career Advice Australia
Career Advice Australia (CAA) is an Australian Government initiative aimed at supporting all young Australian’s aged 13 to 19 in their transitions through school and from
school to further education, training or employment.
The CAA Network comprises two tiers of industry career advice including 10 National Industry Career Specialists and 57 Regional Industry Career Advisers which provide
young Australians with improved access to high quality information on career opportunities in industry and assist Australian Industry address skill needs and engage
in young people’s career development. Other key elements of the CAA Network are the Local Community Partnerships, Youth Pathways and Connections programs. For
more information, visit www.careeradviceaustralia.gov.au

Among other activities the initiative will assist in building bridges between young people and local businesses by:
- establishing Adopt A School programmes,
- supporting increased participation in Structured Workplace Learning programmes, and Australian School based Apprenticeships, and
- providing a range of Career and Transition Support services, involving local businesses wherever possible.

For further
information,
contributions or
feedback:
Emma Earl
Regional Industry Career Adviser
Phone: 0448 852 742
Email: emma.earl@aigroup.asn.au

‘Move Over RPA…’ Ai Group Reports ‘In the Loop’
Redcliffe Hospital is offering students at
Bribie Island State High School the
opportunity to manage a real-world film
project profiling behind-the-scenes work
in hospital operational services in 2009.
Students will produce a 10-minute DVD
to market careers in hospital operational
services to prospective employees. The
DVD will be used by Redcliffe Hospital
as part of their recruitment and training
practices.

It will also raise awareness of careers in
hospital operational services, which
have a low image profile for young
people. Related occupations include
ward assistants, theatre attendants and
dietary aides, and job prospects are
good (myfuture, 2008).

Community and health care services are
key employing industries in Redcliffe
City based on the Hospital and local
aged care facilities. Skills needs in
related industries are expected to
increase in the future as Redcliffe City
has been earmarked by local
government as part of a ‘health
precinct’.

CAA Movements
Your local community partnership (LCP) is
your one-port-of-call for career and transition
support targeting 13-19 year olds.
Tranzitions@Work recently received a
community award for their involvement in
the Coordinated Response to Young People
at Risk (CRYPR) program. For further
information on this achievement, please
click here.

Worklinks Inc’s breakfast forum on 29 April
attracted around 100 attendees who learned
more about building career resilience in
young people.

In Pine Rivers, Youthworks is taking an
increasingly central role coordinating the
Brendale Manufacturing Industry Schools
Partnership Group for 2009.

The Sunshine Coast School Industry
Links Scheme (SCsILS) will be facilitating
an interactive career day for students at
Nambour Hospital in May.

Annette Homann has been advancing
Caboolture Area Schools Industry Links
Scheme (CASILS) as manager since
September. Among their activities is the
Caboolture Career and Employment Expo.

There has been much discussion about
proposed changes to higher education
and the VET sector in the wake of the
Bradley Review of Higher Education.
Comments have included a memo to
Government in relation to the VET
sector by Professor Kenneth Wiltshire
from the University of Queensland’s
School of Business.

‘Memo: Your first initiative must
be to improve career counselling
and advice for young and old
alike’

The following is information from an
Australian Industry Group ‘Economic
Alert’ dated April 2009:
At a national level, the downturn in
economic growth has yet to affect
employment and the unemployment
rate to a similar degree as in previous
recessions.

This reflects the lags between changes
in economic growth and employment
decisions made by firms. On average,
there is roughly a two-quarter lag
between falling economic activity and
falling employment as employers seek
to hold on to until recently scarce
skilled labour until it is clear that
demand has fallen in a sustained way.

Annual economic growth has been
below the 3.0 percent generally
accepted as being required to maintain
a stable unemployment rate since June
2008, when it fell to 2.8 percent down
from a peak growth rate of 4.2 percent
in December quarter 2007. In line with
this, total employment growth has
slowed solidly since mid-2008.

The industry sectors experiencing the
most significant declines over the past
six months are manufacturing, retail
trade, wholesale trade, finance and
insurance, and agriculture.

The strong gainers in employment over
the past six months have been the
property and business services, mining,
t r a nsport and storage, and
communications services sectors. In
addition, the health and community
services sector has seen significant
gains in employment.

Government & Community Safety update April 2009

Welcome to the April Government and Community Safety NICS eBulletin.

We have had much happening in the last three months and are eager to keep you updated and well informed. Some highlights include the launch of a new Resource Library on the careergov website, online applications opening for the 'Working for Customs' program and a new career video available on the website.

Read on to find out more about these and other news items.

New Resource Library on the Careergov Website
Careergov.com.au is launching a new Resource Library!

The library is easy to use and features over 100 resources about careers in Government and Community Safety. The resources are current and regularly reviewed. They help to highlight skills needs, training and career pathways and occupational and career opportunities in Corrections, Local Government, Public Safety, the Public Sector and the Water Industry.

The resources featured are either downloadable or provide you with the details for where copies can be obtained from. The catalogue can be searched in a number of ways including by industry sector, state or keyword.

New items will be constantly added to the library so if you know of any good resources that you think should be added, please let either myself or Beth know at info@careergov.com.au.

Here is a brochure which outlines the key features of the Library for your use and distribution.
To visit the Resource Library please click here.

Applications now open for Working for Customs Program
Are you keen to see what a job in Customs is all about? Why not get involved in a one-day work experience program? The program is open to students in years 11 and 12 and will be running at Australian Customs and Border Protection Service at Sydney Airport.

This year, an innovative on-line selection tool will be utilised to streamline the process of matching the participants with the program, thereby maximising the benefit for both industry and participants. Applications for the 2009 program are now open. Apply here!

The program has been very successful in previous years and in its third year, it is hoped to increase the number of students catered for by the ‘Working for Customs' program. Program activities include: meeting the sniffer dogs of the Dog Detector Unit, visiting the Container Examination Facility, a behind the scenes tour of Sydney Airport, learning about prohibited items and tips on getting a job with Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

Nominations now open for Industry Engagement Award

Last year saw the establishment of the Government and Community Safety Industry Engagement Award. The 2008 award went to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service for their commitment to the establishment and growth of the ‘Working for Customs' pilot program.

Nominations for this award are now open for 2009. Please give some thought to the engagement activities you have underway so we can give recognition where it is deserved. To put an employer up for nomination, please complete this simple nomination form and return to Government Skills Australia by July 31st.

Government Skills Australia, as the contracted provider of the Government and Community Safety National Industry Careers Specialist role was pleased to establish this award to recognise commitment and excellence in industry engaging with youth. The award will be made annually to acknowledge an organisations' commitment to the objectives of Career Advice Australia which promotes careers to 13 to 19 year olds.

A panel consisting of the NICS and industry, CAA and school representatives will then convene in August to consider the nominations and decide a winner. All nominees will receive a certificate recognising their contribution. The award will be presented to the organisation at a suitable ceremony where the individuals involved can be acknowledged and recognised. The winner of the award will be promoted as a best practice model on the careergov website and through electronic and print newsletters, and a case study of the organisation will be developed.

New SES Volunteer Career Video

A new career video has just been developed which highlights the benefits, challenges and exciting opportunities that results from being a volunteer with the State Emergency Service.
The SES Volunteer video is available on the careergov website now and features Nicole Anderson who is a member of the State Emergency Service in Northwest Tasmania. The video illustrates the challenges Nicole faces as well as the exciting opportunities, training and benefits that being a SES volunteer can bring.

Regional Industry Career Advisor Survey

In February I conducted an electronic survey of all Regional Industry Career Advisors (RICAs). This survey not only provides valuable data which will inform the sectors' environmental scan and drive continuous improvement of the services I am able to provide, but it is also an invaluable tool in setting our priorities and activities for 2009. The 2009 survey has so far achieved responses from 70% of RICAs which is an improvement on last year!

Thank you to the RICAs who have completed the survey, your responses are appreciated and provide us with valuable feedback.

WA RICA, NICS and Industry Forum

In mid March I attended the WA RICA network NICS and Industry Forum. This event was attended by eight of the NICS as well as a number of WA RICAs, LCPs, Industry representatives and career development stakeholders. The three day program provided an ideal mix of information sharing, professional development and networking opportunities only available in a group situation.

Each NICS provided an overview of their sectors, resources, current projects and future directions. Speakers from Industry also provided a Western Australian perspective.
This model provided a great networking opportunity to share ideas, troubleshoot concerns and identify areas of collaborative activity as well as developing the awareness of all participants. This allowed an effective use of time and resources for all stakeholders while increasing awareness of Career Advice Australia within industry.
Many thanks to the WA RICAs for arranging and hosting this beneficial event.

Until next time,
Alun GallieNational Industry Career Specialist for Government and Community Safety
Phone: 08 8410 3455Fax: 08 8410 2842
E-mail: alun.gallie@governmentskills.com.auWebsite: www.careergov.com.au
(c) 2008 Government Skills Australia. Level 2, 47-49 Waymouth Street, GPO Box 2146, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5000 E-mail: info@careergov.com.au Telephone: +61 8 8410 3455 Fax: +61 8 8410 2842 Privacy Policy Click here to confirm that you wish to unsubscribe to the Career Gov eNewsletters by Government Skills Australia.

Edition 2 of Service Worx, from Services NICS. 14/4/09

(Pictured above: SCOPE LCP team members and RICA in Melbourne "turning Japanese" at the start of the CDAA Annual Conference 14th April 2009, where we received excellent service from our wait staff, thus proving that Service really does Work!)

Welcome to the 2nd edition of Service Worx e-newsletter.
Tourism and Hospitality Workforce Development Strategy

Background

Successful tourism and hospitality businesses depend first and foremost on the people at the coalface. People deliver a world-class visitor experience. Tourism Australia is committed to attracting high yielding visitors to Australia and this coupled with an increasingly demanding domestic consumer means that now more than ever the industry must deliver a premium experience.

This requires a strategy that does more than simply ‘puts a body’ in front of customers.

Employers across the industry, large and small, face the same challenge—to attract and keep people with the right skills and personal attitudes and attributes to deliver a quality experience. However, there are labour and skills shortages in a number of occupations and regions in the tourism and hospitality industry. These shortages cannot be simply attributed to demographic changes, a growing economy or blamed on an education and training system delivering insufficient numbers. Industry and regional structures, business size, workplace conditions, and the mobility of workers are all contributing to these shortages and these are likely to continue for the next two decades. Staff shortages, inadequate skills and knowledge and/or high turnover can impede the ability of a hotel or other tourism business to deliver quality service.*

Strategy
This workforce development strategy has been developed by industry, together with the industry skills council, and represents a commitment from industry to work together. The strategy is an important step in continuing to address the skills and labour shortages in the tourism and hospitality industry.
The Tourism and Hospitality Workforce Development Strategy outlines the priority areas for achieving the overall goal of access to the number of skilled employees that the tourism and hospitality industry will require to be successful in the future.

These include:
1. A highly skilled workforce
2. Expanding the traditional workforce
3. Access to quality workplaces
4. Better workforce planning

For more on the Workforce Development Strategy please click here.
* Excerpt from the Tourism and Hospitality Workforce Development Strategy.

First newsletter from our Services NICS

Edition 1 2009
Fortnightly Newsletter

Welcome to the 1st edition of Service Worx e-newsletter.

For this edition we would like to highlight the support and heart-warming community spirit demonstrated by all Australians following the devastating Victorian bushfires last month.
The retail sector plays a large role within a business community and the following examples epitomise how Australian businesses have rallied together.
Woolworths Limited announced a $1 million donation to the Australian Red Cross for emergency relief in fire-ravaged Victoria.
IGA - the Independent Grocers of Australia - will donate $1.5 million dollars in food vouchers to assist in the Victoria Bush Fire Disaster Relief efforts.
1270 IGA stores nationwide, as well as Metcash (IGA retailers' primary supplier), will collectively provide the vouchers via IGA's Community Chest program - the majority of which will be distributed by the Salvation Army.

During the crisis, a number of IGA stores have also been acting as community centres - with more than 500 people having camped out at IGA Yarra Glen the week after the fires. Wherever possible, those affected by the fires have been provided with food from their local store.
All 58 Ritchies stores in Victoria, Queensland and NSW will now accept cash donations that will see 100% of the money channelled to the Salvation Army bushfire relief appeal.
Coles donated its profits from its 750 stores nationally to the Government's Bushfire Appeal Fund in partnership with the Red Cross on Friday 13 February.
Coles has also been helping ground level relief agencies, providing essentials such as food, water and toiletries, and will continue to provide additional local support as needed.
Many other smaller retail businesses are also raising money and donating goods to victims of the Victorian fire disaster.

Quick Facts on the Retail Industry

The retail industry is the largest employer in Australia and over 38% of the approximately 1.6M people employed in the industry are between 15-24 years of age.
Melbourne is the second largest labor force employing region in Australia for the Retail Industry and the top jobs are Sales Assistants and Shop Managers, however, remember the industry offers a diverse range of career and employment opportunities and is an intergral part of the Australian workforce.

For further details or information on a career in retail please contact Mary Oliver at the Australian Retailers Association on 1300 368 041 or email mary.oliver@retail.org.au.
Don’t forget www.discoverhospitality.com is now live, if you could spread the word that would be great.

Latest from our Resources & Infrastructure NICS

Update on the Job Losses in the Mining sector

Below is an extract from article that appeared in - Australian Mining - Australia's
premier mining news website on the 27 March 2009

The Minerals Council of Australia has updated its estimated number of job losses in the Australian mining sector to 11,153.

The update came after news that Rio Tinto will place its HIsmelt iron ore processing plant in Western Australia on care and maintenance and BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) will shed another 400 contractors from its Bowen basin coal mines.

BMA’s decision not to renew contracts with Macmahon Holdings and HMP Constructions at its Goonyella and Norwich Park Mines in Queensland was in keeping with the miner’s commitment to reduce coking coal output by 10 to 15% this financial year.

It follows the dismissal of 1100 coal division employees and contractors as part of the axing of 6000 jobs worldwide in January.

Ellen
Ellen Fleming National Industry Career Specialist - Resources & Infrastructure Industries Career Advice Australia - An Australian Government Initiative
Australian Industry Group 20 Queens Road, Melbourne 8004
Phone: 03 9867 0235
Mobile: 0408 055 628
Fax: 03 9867 0199
efleming@aigroup.asn.au
CAREERSCONNECTED.com.au

News from Government and Community Safety

Greetings all RICAs

Careergov.com.au is launching a new Resource Library!

The library is easy to use and features over 100 resources about careers in Government and Community Safety. The resources are current and regularly reviewed, and help to highlight skills needs, training and career pathways and occupational and career opportunities in Corrections, Local Government, Public Safety, the Public Sector and the Water Industry.

The resources featured are either downloadable or provide you with the details for where copies can be obtained from. The catalogue can be searched in a number of ways including by industry sector, state or keyword.

New items will be constantly added to the library so if you know of any good resources that you think should be added, please let either myself or Beth know.

Please find attached a brochure which outlines the key features of the Library for your use and distribution throughout the CAA network.

To visit the Resource Library please follow this link: http://www.careergov.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=212

Kind regards,
Alun and Beth

Alun Gallie
National Industry Career Specialist
Government & Community Safety
Career Advice Australia
An Australian Government Initiative

Did you know....?

That Tasmania’s ICT sector contributes well over $1 billion to the economy each year? The first industry sector update in five years shows that the ICT sector employs 3500 Tasmanians and contributes $1.4 billion to the economy.

That UTAS has announced that it will waive HECs fees for workers made redundant as a result of the global financial crisis, giving workers who loose their jobs the chance to start their degrees. (The Examiner, Feb 21st 2009)