RDASI Newsletter - September 2022
CEO Report
Spring has sprung although it doesn’t quite feel like it yet with all the rain and cloud still lingering about. The beautiful blooms have certainly started sprouting and I think my favourites are the pink cherry blossoms, there’s just something so quintessentially spring about them.
RDASI CEO, Carisa Wells, The Hon Kristy McBain MP, RDASI Chair, Rowena Abbey
August has been another exceptionally busy month for RDASI. Our Chair, Rowena Abbey and I joined the rest of the NSW and ACT RDAs for our quarterly conference which was held in Canberra to meet with our newly appointed lead Minister the Hon Kristy McBain MP. We were very pleased to join the Minister at Parliament House to showcase some of the amazing work RDAs do and provide her with regional intel on the challenges facing the regions with the chronic labour shortages effecting so many of our industries. The Minister listened carefully and with a number of her staff present, took particular interest in several of the RDA programs already supporting workforce development. We believe regional development is in good hands with Minister McBain’s interest, knowledge and first-hand experience and we look forward to working with her over the next few years.
To provide further advice to the federal government prior to the Jobs and Skills Summit (held on September 1-2) three federal Members, the Hon Stephen Jones MP, Fiona Phillips MP and Alison Byrnes MP convened a stakeholder’s meeting in Wollongong. I joined Debra Murphy, my RDA Illawarra colleague to hear local industry and community organisations convey their frustrations, along with tangible solutions to the local Members. Many had similar issues and concerns and the feedback was well received. We are hoping these engagement processes will produce real outcomes at the Jobs and Skills Summit so that our regional entrepreneurs can build their enterprises knowing they will have an available skilled workforce to develop and expand.
RDASI Illawarra CEO, Debra Murphy, Fiona Phillips MP, Hon Stephen Jones MP, Carisa Wells
Many of our local industries have told us that workforce issues are critical and so RDASI is partnering with three local chambers, Business Southern Highlands, Goulburn Chamber of Commerce and Yass Chamber of Commerce to bring a specialist HR consultant to the regions. Malcolm Peak from Peak Corporate Solutions will be sharing some innovative methods to attract and retain staff during this challenging time and will also show how to use unique aspects of your business to bring the best people into your business that will fit with your culture.
As part of our solutions focus for workforce issues, we have kicked off our Grow Our Own program in conjunction with a number of local employment services providers in Goulburn. Unfortunately, the first of our planned excursions to Warrigal was cancelled due to a Covid outbreak, but this week we are taking almost 20 jobseekers into Tribe Breweries so they can have a look at the exciting world of boutique brewing. If this sounds like a program you would like to be part of, please contact Mel our workforce development officer at workforce@rdasi.org.au.
RDASI is always willing to support regional projects to bring improved liveability and higher prosperity to our region. If you have a project you would like assistance with, whether that be a letter of support, introduction to a key decision maker or greater regional promotion of your idea, please contact Suzie, our events and comms officer at connect@rdasi.org.au. We love our region!
NSW and ACT RDAs with The Hon Kristy McBain in Canberra
See Wingecarribee and Goulburn's most promising entrepreneurs pitch their business.
Be part of the live audience to watch these entrepreneurs compete for a top prize and experience these unique pitches. Join us either in person or via Zoom on 22nd September 2022.
Lunch time session 12.00pm-2.00pm - Get tickets
Evening session 5.45pm-7.45pm - Get tickets
More information: www.iaccelerate.com.au/rise
ACCELERATE YOUR BUSINESS. GROW YOUR IMPACT.
Coming to Snowy Monaro and Queanbeyan-Palerang. Starting October 2022. Once only opportunity. Fully funded. Register your interest NOW.
The iAccelerate RiSE program supports new and existing regional businesses with practical workshops and a network of regional and international experts. Designed with regional entrepreneurs and University of Wollongong’s iAccelerate program.
Join us for a free 30 minute information session about the iAccelerate RiSE program on Monday 10th Oct 2022 at 12:30 pm or Tuesday 11th Oct 2022 at 5.30pm – book tickets online. You can ask questions of a panel of entrepreneurs who have been through the program. The event will be followed by a 12 minute video giving you a taste of the upcoming Test your Business Idea workshop.
Applications to join the iAccelerate Rise program in Snowy Monaro and Queanbeyan-Palerang are now open until the 21st of October 2022.
Illawarra ITeC delivers a Self-Employment Assistance Program which can help you explore, run, and operate your new or existing micro-business through tailored advice, training, and mentoring.
Services include for your business:
Business advice, training and mentoring
Business plans and business health checks
Accredited business training
Business workshops/networking
Illawarra ITeC delivers self-employment assistance services in the Illawarra, Wingecarribee, Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega regions. For more information www.illawarraitec.edu.au or phone 1300 166 694.
Naomi Smith delivers the Australian Government Entrepreneurship Facilitators program, through The Disability Trust, in the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven. Naomi delivers a range of free services, such as business referrals and workshops that are tailored to the regions. Naomi can be seen as a connector to assess needs and make relevant links and recommendations. You can access help from Naomi if you have an interest in being self-employed or are currently a small business owner in business for less than 2 years with 4 or less employees. You can contact Naomi on Ph 02 4851 4248 | E naomi.smith@disabilitytrust.org.au
Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme Information Session
The PALM scheme allows Australian businesses to hire workers from 9 Pacific island countries and Timor Leste when there are not enough local workers available.
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme team, in conjunction with the Department of Home Affairs NSW/ACT Business Industry and Regional Outreach team, will be holding a free online PALM scheme webinar for NSW/ACT business. Learn more about hiring Pacific Island workers to fill labour shortages in your business.
Free Telstra Wi-Fi
Telstra has made an important announcement about their payphones. From today free Telstra Wi-Fi will be available from around 3,000 payphones, with plans to upgrade the entire network of almost 12,000 payphones over the coming years. What this means is that Wi-Fi from select payphones will be free for all Australians – whether they are a Telstra customer or not.
Over the past few years, we have seen many Australians use payphones in times of crisis – during natural disasters such as bushfires or floods. Around this time last year, Telstra made calls around Australia from Telstra payphones free. Since then, there has been a significant jump in call volume – by 70 per cent – with around 19 million calls made last year. Not only have Telstra seen call volumes increase, but we also know that many people are using these payphones to access essential services. If you would like more information on the initiative, please take a look at Telstra Exchange blog.
On behalf of the RDA Southern Inland Committee and Staff, we trust you have enjoyed this newsletter. Please forward any feedback and suggestions to connect@rdasi.org.au.
