Issue 64 - 22 June 2009

A national survey is underway to assess and map the readiness of different industries to operate and adapt to a low carbon future.

Developed by the National Centre for Sustainability (NCS) at Swinburne University, this 6-7 minute questionnaire offers you the opportunity to contribute to this important research.

CCI will obtain the final results and report, which will help to ensure we maintain our understanding with regard to the readiness of WA industries compared with those in other States.

Information you provide will:

• Identify the key skills and knowledge which industry sectors associate with operating in a carbon constrained economy
• Demonstrate current levels of industry-by-industry engagement with greenhouse gas quantification and carbon management strategies
• Identify emerging industry needs in relation to carbon management, measurement and reporting skills

How you can be involved:

1. Take part in the online survey (6-7 minutes) by clicking on this link: http://opinio.online.swin.edu.au/s?s=6250

For more information, please visit www.swinburne.edu.au/ncs/Innovation/climate_change_survey

or contact Scott McKenry at smckeny@swin.edu.au, or Andrew Canion, Senior Adviser Industry Policy at andrew.canion@cciwa.com or 9365 7688.

WA Business Icon is a prestigious competition that brings out the best of young talent. The six day, intense event will be held in August taking competitors through four carefully designed business and social challenges. 

Competitors have the opportunity to test their creativity and innovative problem solving abilities and develop their teamwork and leadership skills, all while building resilience and solving the business problems in an ethical and socially responsible way.

Like the US reality show The Apprentice, Business Icon will have its boardroom with panel judges such as Rick Hart and Richard Goyder, CEO of Wesfarmers, to decide which team will win and receive immunity and which individuals will be eliminated. 

How well will your star employee tackle these practical tasks focused on current business and social issues in the Perth and WA community? The four contestants competing in the final task will be pushed to their limits, having to present in front of a huge audience. 

Your reward and theirs will be  to see them standing out from WA’s finest young professionals and being recognised by over 270 guests consisting of entrepreneurs, prominent business professionals, and public officials.

How will your employees benefit?

• they will have the chance to challenge themselves in a fast paced business environment;
• get practical experience to further develop business and communication skills;
• networking opportunities with other motivated young people, sponsors, and our high profile judges, like the CEO’s of Wesfarmers and Rio Tinto;
• identify exactly their personal talents;
• a boost to their self-confidence;
• the chance to win fantastic prizes, and;
• the chance to be the WA Business Icon 2009.

Go to www.wa.australianbusinessicon.com for further information and to apply.

The Federal Government bill to water down the powers of the new industry watchdog, put before Parliament last week, creates further pressure on the building and construction industry during tough economic times.

The State’s peak business organisation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, believes the former legislation and the powers of the Australian Building and Construction Commission were vital to keeping union behaviour in check, and should remain in place.

The Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2009 comes after an independent review by the Honourable Murray Wilcox QC, commissioned by the Federal Government, which stated there was a high level of industrial unlawfulness in the building and construction industries of Western Australia and Victoria.

While some of the current powers will be maintained, their effectiveness will be severely curtailed by removing penalties for unlawful industrial action. 

The opportunity for powers to be “switched off” in certain cases means a return to the bad behaviour of the past is likely. 

The new, softer laws will result in increased disruption on work sites, making it more difficult for companies to complete projects on time and on budget and risking WA’s international business reputation.

The Federal Government promised to keep a “tough cop on the beat” at building sites, but the watering down of powers will open sites up to union activists.

Business is worried that the bad old days of the eighties will return. No reasonable person wants to go back to a time when building sites were controlled by union officials able to force their way onto a site, force employees into joining a union and not accountable for their actions, resulting in massive delays and industrial lawlessness.

Current penalties and coercive powers need to be maintained. It is the combination of the two that has seen union behaviour improve, kept union disputes to a minimum and ensured WA projects, and jobs, are protected.

CCI believes WA business and industry has the most to lose from watering down the current powers. There is over $170 billion in investment in projects under construction or in the pipeline in the State that could be compromised by the watering down of these powers. This poses a long term risk for the future growth and development of the State.

The Bill will abolish the ABCC and will create a new agency, the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate (“the Building Inspectorate”) to regulate the building and construction industry.

The coercive interrogation powers under the current legislation will be retained. These powers give the Building Inspectorate the ability to compulsorily obtain information (including through requiring a person to attend an examination and answer questions) or documents from a relevant person.

However, projects which commence after 1 February 2010 will possibly be exempt from the coercive powers because they can be “switched off” in certain cases. The availability of exemptions is likely to result in a return to the bad behaviour of the past.

The Wilcox review also recommended a review of the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry 1997 (“the Code”) and the Implementation Guidelines for the National Code of Practice (“the Implementation Guidelines”). CCI has been involved in the Government consultation process on the rewriting of the Implementation Guidelines and understands that the changes to the Code and Guidelines will be released shortly.

Any enquiries should be directed to Marcia Kuhne on (08) 9365 7699 or marcia.kuhne@cciwa.com or to the Employee Relations Advice Centre on (08) 9365 7660 or email advice@cciwa.com.

The Senate Committee on Climate Policy tabled its final report on 15 June 2009. CCI provided a written submission and also attended a public hearing to represent the views of WA industry. CCI is pleased to note the comments were reflected within the body of the report.

The Committee was established to assess the effectiveness of an emissions trading scheme as a means of reducing Australia's carbon emissions and to also consider other complementary measures that may assist with mitigation. Economic and environmental outcomes were also to be considered.

The Committee's key recommendation was that the CPRS legislation should not be passed in its current form. The Committee's view was that the focus of an Australian emissions trading scheme should primarily be on reducing Australian emissions without imposing undue cost increases. They did not believe that the current proposed scheme achieved this outcome.

The Committee found that the Treasury modelling on the effects of the CPRS was inadequate, and that further modelling should be undertaken. CCI's concerns that there was insufficient investigation into sector and State based impacts were noted within the Committee's report.

The full report may be downloaded from http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/climate_ctte/report/index.htm

For further information, please contact CCI's senior adviser, industry policy Andrew Canion on (08) 9365 7688 or andrew.canion@cciwa.com.

Statements by the major banks that they are reviewing the need to increase retail lending rates in response to apparent wholesale funding pressures means that the Reserve Bank should give consideration to a further easing in monetary policy, says the ACCI.

ACCI acting chief executive Greg Evans said any unilateral hike in lending rates delivered by the commercial banks constituted a de-facto tightening in monetary conditions.

"In order to maintain the current effective stance of monetary policy, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry considers that the RBA may need to implement an offsetting reduction in official interest rates," he said.

Minutes of the June RBA Board meeting suggested that it was comfortable with the current stance of monetary policy for the time being. However, the central bank’s position has been compromised by possible pre-emptive actions by the commercial banks.

"The response of commercial lenders to the rate cut delivered by the RBA Board in April is illustrative of the blunting in the effectiveness of the monetary policy transmission mechanisms," Mr Evans said.

"The level of pass-through associated with the 25bps reduction in the cash rate in April was mixed - on average there was only a 10bps decline in retail lending rates following the cut."

The level of pass-through since the RBA commenced its present easing cycle in September 2008 reveals small business are missing out on the full benefits of official interest rate reductions.

The cash rate has been cut 425bps to 3%, leading variable home mortgage rates to fall 385bps while variable small business rates have fallen by only around 300bps despite being residentially secured.

Prior to the latest discussion about the funding pressures faced by financial institutions, business was still looking for rate reductions to ease cash flow pressures.

"Against the backdrop of evident weakness including in business investment and the continuing oftening in the labour market, further official easing should be an option and the inclination of lenders to ratchet up rates independently suggest this may need to be sooner rather than later," Mr Evans said.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said unemployment figures show employment levels are proving remarkably resilient in the face of the worst global recession since the Great Depression.

ACCI acting chief executive Greg Evans said it was encouraging that job losses were more limited than expected.

Data also showed a marked shift in the composition of employment since mid-2008, with more than 125,000 full-time positions replaced by just over 126,000 part-time positions.

In the May quarter of 2009 the underemployment rate increased to 7.6% which, combined with the unemployment rate, left labour force underutilisation at 13.4%. Almost one in seven people in the labour market were unable to obtain their desired level of employment.

"It remains a concern that the worst impact of the global recession is yet to be feltm," Mr Evans said.

"The scale of the expected slump in business investment will make it difficult for the economy to avoid additional job losses. Indeed, these expectations are factored into the Government’s budget forecasts.

"All this underscores the need for macroeconomic policy settings including monetary policy to be focused on supporting domestic activity."

ACCI said more room existed for official rate reductions, and concerns about unsustainable debt exposure in the household sector should be addressed through proper risk assessment by lenders.

In contrast to households, business borrowers still have not received the full benefit of the easing in monetary policy and the absence of further rate cuts will worsen the scaling back of investment intentions ACCI said.

"Further incentives for business investment are crucial to stemming the scale of job losses," Mr Evans said.

"ACCI urges that the Australian Government consider extending the termination date of the 30% investment allowance from 30 June 2009 until the end of the year. The allowance provides business an important incentive to invest in productive capacity that will support labour demand at a time of weakness."

Accurate, concise and appropriate minute taking is probably the most important aspect of good meetings and is essential to effective business operations. This practical and interactive half-day workshop will provide participants with a range of essential skills, tools and techniques to enable them to record effective and accurate minutes in any business environment. 

Click here to register or for further information.

All businesses, regardless of industry sector or size, are required to comply with a range of workplace safety requirements. Join us at this practical, information-packed session for an introductory overview of current safety laws and contemporary approaches to risk management in the workplace.

Click here to register or for further information.

If you’ve already undertaken basic supervisory training you may wish to deepen your understanding of management concepts. This program will provide you with more advanced skills for effectively managing your section of the organisation. You will also learn how to adapt your management style to meet the changing needs of your organisation and your staff.

Click here to register or for further information.

This course will give you the opportunity, through group activities and a mock negotiation, to develop the skills needed to tackle a wide range of workplace issues. It is a practical training program which emphasises the importance of achieving realistic outcomes that benefit all interested parties.

Click here to register or for further information.

This interactive two day workshop will provide you with the necessary skills and tools to effectively manage your workers' compensation claims to maximise control and minimise costs.

Click here to register or for further information.

This workshop will equip participants with the awareness and skills to give a positive impression on every incoming and outgoing call, and to help your organisation stand out for its professionalism and friendliness. It also exposes participants to new techniques and strategies that will allow them to handle difficult clients more professionally on the phone.

Click here to register or for further information.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has released its bi-annual immigration update.

This recent publication covering the period from July to December 2008 is a summary of current immigration statistics including permanent additions, settler arrivals, permanent departures, visitors, students and business data.

A copy of this publication is available at http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/immigration-update/update-dec08.pdf.

For further information contact CCI Migration Services (MARN 0318589) on 9365 7521 or email visas@cciwa.com.

On 10 June 2009, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced the appointment of 43 Members to the Migration Review Tribunal (MRT) and the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT).

The Migration Review Tribunal (the MRT) and the Refugee Review Tribunal (the RRT) provide an independent and final merits review of decisions made in relation to visas to travel to, enter or stay in Australia. The MRT reviews decisions made in respect of general visas (e.g. visitor, student, partner, family, business, skilled visas) and the RRT deals with decisions made in respect of protection (refugee) visas.

The tribunals are established under the Migration Act 1958 and the tribunals’ jurisdiction and powers are set out in the Migration Act and in the Migration Regulations 1994. All members and staff are cross-appointed to both tribunals and the tribunals operate as a single agency for the purposes of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

The full list of tribunal members are available at http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/_pdf/tribunal-appointments-2009.pdf.

Members have been appointed for five years commencing on 1 July 2009 and ending on 30 June 2014.

For further information contact CCI Migration Services (MARN 0318589) on 9365 7521 or email visas@cciwa.com.

Each week the International Trade Centre at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia receives buy/sell offers and trade enquiries from overseas.

Click here to view.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has issued a statement on a United Nations treaty that will provide uniformity for the international carriage of goods.

The draft Convention on the International Carriage of Goods was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2008 and will be signed at a ceremony in Rotterdam in September 2009. The treaty will be informally known as the “Rotterdam Rules.”

This treaty is an attempt to provide harmonisation for the law governing the transport of goods by sea, which is presently subject to a number of different liability regimes.

“As the world business organisation, the International Chamber of Commerce recognises the importance of developing a harmonised international ocean cargo regime that is both sound and balanced,” the ICC Commission on Transport and Logistics and the ICC Committee on Maritime Transport said in the joint statement.

The statement added that the ocean cargo regime should also take into account modern developments such as containerisation, multimodal transport, and e-commerce.

“Given that the proposed regime will underpin an important element of international commerce, ICC asks governments to consider ratification of the convention,” the statement added.

“This should be done in active consultation with international business – including shippers, carriers, forwarders and insurers, noting that these constituencies may have differing views on the regime.”

In considering whether to adopt the treaty, ICC asked that governments pay particular attention to the importance of several issues, including the harmonised liability regime for maritime transport; the clarity of the burdens of proof for all parties and the defences of a carrier or intermediary against whom the claim is made; and the overall impact of the regime on legal certainty.

“ICC stands ready to proactively facilitate business input into national and international discussions on the ratification of the Rotterdam Rules, with a view to bringing about uniformity in this important area of international law,” the statement added.

Trusting suppliers and products is paramount when conducting trade electronically. With the intention of bolstering trust in international trade on the Internet, the World Chambers Network (WCN), the official web portal for chambers of commerce, and Alibaba.com, the global leader in B2B e-commerce, have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on a range of activities and projects.

The agreement stands to strengthen the long-term collaboration between WCN – a partnership between the International Chamber of Commerce, the World Chambers Federation and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris – and Alibaba.com.

Alibaba.com and WCN consider stringent authentication and verification processes essential to providing a safe trading environment for members as well as a way to improve the credibility of the Internet as a tool for doing business.

As part of the increased cooperation WCN and Alibaba.com are also working towards using WCN’s ChamberTrust as an additional validation tool on Alibaba.com. ChamberTrust is a standardised chamber of commerce international registry of locally verified companies which helps establish trust for SMEs as they enter the global electronic marketplace and overcome issues they face such as lack of exposure.

The International Chamber of Commerce has published two new model contracts for use with international trademark licensing and international technology transfer.

• ICC Model International Trademark Licence

Licensing trademarks is a staple of modern business practice, affecting large and small companies alike, across the spectrum of industries. In order to provide businesses with an accessible resource for a subset of trademark licensing transactions, the International Chamber of Commerce has prepared this Model International Trademark Licence agreement. 

Designed for use by non-specialists in the area who are seeking reliable guidance and an adaptable contractual framework, this model covers situations where the owner of a known trademark licenses the mark to a manufacturer of products other than those made by the trademark owner. As with existing ICC model contracts, the model seeks to balance the interests of the licensor and licensee across a range of industries, and provides comprehensive notes and guidance regarding issues requiring consideration by the parties.

This is the latest in a series of successful ICC model contracts prepared by a dedicated task force under the auspices of the ICC’s Commission on Commercial Law and Practice.

The paper version of this ICC Model Contract is accompanied by the text of the contract on CD.

Price: $146.40 (including GST).

• ICC Model International Transfer of Technology Contract

As technology and intellectual property rights become increasingly important in today's international business community, more and more companies across the globe are concluding transactions to transfer technology among business entities.  Recognising the need to provide the marketplace with assistance on this highly technical subject, the International Chamber of Commerce has produced the ICC Model International Transfer of Technology Contract.

While the term “transfer of technology” may cover a variety of situations, ranging from patent and/or know-how licenses to more complex dealings involving the supply of technical assistance or equipment, this model covers the situation where a manufacturer licenses a package of information and industrial property rights to a licensee company so that the licensee can also manufacture the products, using the licensor's technology.

The Model International Transfer of Technology Contract is designed for use by non-specialists in the area who are seeking reliable guidance and an adaptable, balanced contractual framework. Produced by a group of subject-matter experts of the ICC Commission on Commercial Law and Practice, the model distills the relevant principles across industries and geographies into an accessible tool for business people and their advisers.

The paper version of this ICC Model Contract is accompanied by the text of the contract on CD.

Price: $146.40 (including GST).

Copies of these and other ICC model contracts can be purchased from the CCI International Trade Centre, Mezzanine Level, 180 Hay Street, East Perth. Contact Kelly Hewett on (08) 9365 7620.

Australian growers of mangoes and citrus fruits are set to benefit after successful negotiations between Australian and Chinese officials.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said China had accepted a revised quarantine protocol for Australian mangos after detailed discussions. The previous system included onerous quarantine requirements for proving orchards were free of mango seed weevil and fruit flies, which meant that only limited trade occurred from 2007.

Under the revised protocol, growers have more options for monitoring and surveying their orchards for signs of the pest. The new system will significantly reduce costs for growers and allow them to capitalise on new opportunities with the coming harvest.

Mango-producing areas in Australia include Western Australia, Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern NSW and the industry was worth around $100 million in 2008.

Australian Mango Industry Association chairman Peter Delis said the new protocol will give the industry greater scope for accessing high-quality mangoes, without the onerous task of cutting thousands of mangoes to check for weevils.

“We expect volumes to dramatically increase with a longer supply window throughout the season," he said.

“With 17 million people in Beijing alone and mangoes being so popular the potential is extraordinary, but it will still take much work on industry’s and government’s behalf to realise the potential."

The emerging trade in Australian citrus to China is also expected to grow after the Australian Government negotiated improved market access.

Under previous citrus export conditions, oranges, mandarins, lemons and grapefruit were only permitted access to northern Chinese ports and had to undergo extensive cold disinfestation treatment which could affect the quality of the fruit.

The revised quarantine conditions will allow more Australian citrus including limes, tangelos and sweetie grapefruit to access all ports in China and increases the required temperature for the cold disinfestation treatment. The changes will allow growers more flexibility, savings on shipping costs and help to protect the high quality of the fresh Australian produce.

Last calendar year, Australia exported 855 tonnes of citrus worth $1.25 million to China.

Citrus Australia chair Kevin Cock said the improved conditions would make a huge difference for exports of citrus to China, particularly for mandarins, which are more susceptible to cold treatment.

The RTA & CCI has welcomed the introduction of legislation to extend Western Australia's weeknight trading hours to 9pm, a move that will provide more choice, greater convenience, lower prices and more jobs for the State.

While there is no specific timeframe for the introduction of extended trading hours, the Premier has said he hopes they will come into effect by Christmas.

The State’s political leaders must now pass the legislation and stand up to vested interest groups, which are determined to deny Western Australians more choice and lower prices when they shop.

Modernisation of retail trading hours was one of CCI’s top ten policy priorities for the new State Government last year.

In 2006 WA legislation was changed to raise the leaving age for young people from 15 to 17 years of age. From 1 January 2008 young people must participate in school, training or have a job (or combination of these) until the end of the year in which they turn 17 years of age.

Employment with career prospects is one of the approved options for young people and this can either be full-time or part-time. Part-time employment must be in combination with further study or training as all approved options must add up to full-time.

Approval must be granted by the local office of the Department of Education and Training before they can start work.

A participation coordinator, working for the local District Education Office, will contact you to make sure the correct paperwork is filled out.

You should be aware it is illegal for employers to employ someone in their 16th and 17th years without approval being granted. Without this approval, penalties can apply.

No approval is needed if you employ young people on a part-time or casual basis if they are still at school full-time or in full-time training.

The manager of participation and team of participation coordinators in each District Education Office can provide assistance if you are employing young people.

Visit the leaving age website at www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolleavingage or call 1800 245 845 to find out more.

From 1 July, Job Network will be replaced by Job Services Australia.

Job Services Australia aims to streamline seven separate programs into a ‘one-stop-shop’ by providing job seekers with an individual Employment Pathways Plan which may include elements such as work experience, literacy and numeracy programs, trade training and help with resumes and interviews.

Key features of Job Services Australia will include:

• Employer brokers who will work with groups of employers in industries experiencing shortages to match job seekers with the needs of employers. These activities will be conducted by Employer Broker Panel members selected through the Employment Services Request For Tender 2009-12. Funding of $6 million will be provided for this initiative. Organisations successful in being appointed to the Employer Broker Panel were announced on March 11, 2009.
• Innovation Fund: Funding of $41 million will be provided to develop projects that aim to find innovative ways to secure jobs for disadvantaged Australians.

More information on Job Services Australia can be found here.

CCI Construction Services proudly invites industry representatives to WA’s largest and most prestigious annual dinner event for the resources and construction sector.

Click here to register an individual or for further information.

Click here to regsiter a corporate table or for further information.

CCI and the Wine Industry Association of Western Australia (WIAWA) invite members to experience some of the finest wine and culinary fare Western Australia has to offer at the annual CCI Business Sundowner: A Wine and Cheese Affair.

Click here to register or for further information.

CCI invites members of the WA business community to attend this important business breakfast to hear from the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Yemen, Mr Kevin Magee, and the Ambassador to Kuwait, Mr Glenn Miles.

Click here to register or for further information.

Presented by CCI employee relations coordinator Sarita Lovett and employee relations consultant Kendall Scott, these seminars will provide you with all the necessary information and tools to prepare for redundancies in your business.

Click here to register or for further information.

Millennium Kids, a dynamic youth organisation undertaking sustainability and community development projects both in Australia and overseas, is seeking two voluntary general members to join its Advisory Council.

The organisation was founded in Perth in 1996 and now has chapters and partnership projects in Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Canada and Malaysia.

Millennium Kids has a unique structure and are seeking Council members who are happy to work alongside and mentor young people running their own community projects.

The Millennium Kids Advisory Council is comprised of eight members representing the government, corporate and community sectors. Members are required to meet five times per year (inc. the AGM) with specific focus on fiscal and legal management, and strategic planning for the organisation.

Council members must be over the age of 25 and are elected for a one year term, but are free to renominate annually.

Millenium Kids are currently looking for someone with business development expertise. A passion for creating effective, long term partnership between corporate and community organisations would also be welcomed.

Potential Council members should be aware of the Millennium Kids' Triple Bottom Line:

1. Have fun
2. Eat chocolate
3. Help care for the environment

For more information about Millennium Kids, you can visit www.millenniumkids.com.au.

If you are interested in nominating for the Council, or have any questions, please email Megan at alumni@millenniumkids.com.au or call 0408 917 196.

A recent survey of of 560 Australian professionals by recruitment firm Robert Walters showed that 70% of workers would prefer to stay at their current employer and work reduced hours than face alternative cost-cutting strategies from their employers. 

Taking redundancy was the next most popular choice with 16% listing it as their preferred choice. This was followed by 5% opting for unpaid leave/sabbaticals, 4% putting their hands up for job-sharing and only 3% opting for a decrease in their pay.

Whilst reduced hours was the preferred method of cost cutting across the board, interestingly opinions differed across sectors of specialisation. Those in the legal sector were the least adaptable to alternative strategies with an overwhelming 100% listing reduced working hours as their preferred initiative. Those working in the fields of general management (85%) and HR (83%) appeared to follow this opinion. 

However, only 57% in the secretarial and business support field were keen to work reduced hours with 29% choosing redundancy, the highest across all the sectors, followed by 27% of IT professionals also preferring this option.

Workers in Queensland and Victoria are most open to redundancy across the mainland states, with 19% of respondents selecting this option from both states, compared with only 10% in WA, 15% in SA and 16% in NSW. 

Do you need assistance and advice on overcoming skills shortages? CCI’s education and training adviser is available and ready to meet your needs.

The Education and Training Adviser (ETA) Program is funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) under the Industry Training Strategies Program. 

Advisers work through peak industry associations like CCI to increase members’ understanding of vocational, education and training issues, particularly the National Training Framework, Australian Apprenticeships and training packages, with the ultimate goal of improving employer take-up of Australian Apprenticeships.

Advisers provide a translation service, making use of their knowledge of industry and the different elements of the training system to help employers understand the issues and achieve their training goals. The advisers also assist in providing industry advice to government on vocational, education and training issues affecting their membership.

The key benefits for members include:

Information and advice to employers

• The Australian Apprenticeship system, including the role of organisations such as Australian Apprenticeship Centres, Group Training Organisations and Registered Training Organisations.
• State and federal government programs, and the funding, incentives and subsidies available for training.
• Training packages.

Tailored solutions to address current and future skills needs in the workforce

• Recruitment and retention options.
• Flexible learning and assessment.
• Up skilling and RPL options.

Support and advocacy to employers

• Engaging in member consultations to address education and training issues of concern.
• Communicating feedback to government and/or other relevant stakeholders.

For more information on education and training issues, or to speak to the education and training adviser, contact CCI's Laura Price on (08) 9365 7657 or laura.price@cciwa.com

The Productivity Places Program commenced in April 2008 and offers 711,000 training places over the next five years.

Of these places, 392,000 are available to existing workers to gain qualifications or upgrade their skills, while 319,000 places have been allocated to job seekers. In addition, 20,000 priority places have been made available for people made redundant, to help them re-enter the workforce. 

To date, 110,000 people have enrolled in the program, with 86,912 people having commenced training and over 40,000 having completed training.

Over 50% of the enrolments were in Certificate III qualifications or above. Children’s services and aged care qualifications have seen the highest number of enrolments.

For more information on enrolment, commencement and completion statistics see http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/OConnor/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_090522_122607.aspx.

For more information on the productivity places program, go to http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/ProductivityPlaces/Pages/default.aspx.