BUSY AT WORK UPDATES - Queensland Government’s extension of $20,000 Youth Boost

Business & Community April 2017 Update BUSY backs Queensland Government’s extension of $20,000 Youth Boost BUSY At Work is backing the extension of the state government’s Youth Boost initiative which is continuing to reap major benefits for small business and unemployed youth in regional areas. The $20,000 Youth Boost payment has been an integral part of the government’s $100 million Back to Work Program which has seen 2,323 Queenslanders employed by 1,090 regional businesses. The Youth Boost payment is specifically targeted towards employers who hire unemployed youth aged between 15 to 24 in the eligible regions of Far North Queensland, North Queensland, Mackay/Whitsunday, Central Queensland, Wide Bay Burnett North West and South West. BUSY At Work CEO, Paul Miles said the extension of the Youth Boost payment will allow more regional businesses to take on unemployed youth. “Youth unemployment remains a significant issue in regional areas. We congratulate the government for extending the incentive as it will continue to stimulate demand for young job seekers and contribute to reduced levels of youth unemployment right across regional Queensland.” “We are delighted the State Government is continuing to support genuine job creation and economic growth in these areas by encouraging employers to hire more unemployed young people.” “We at BUSY have embraced the scheme by employing two young people in Central Queensland to work within our employment programs,” Mr Miles said. Read more and find out if you are eligible. $12,000 ...That’s what you could receive for taking on a new bricklaying apprentice! Currently the Federal Government is offering up to $9,000 in support to employers of new apprentices. On top of that, ABBTF is providing an additional $3,000 Brickstart Subsidy – specifically for employers of bricklaying apprentices. ABBTF also offers two special, one-off payments to employers and GTOs:  A $2,000 incentive for employing Female Apprentice Bricklayers on the completion of Year 1, and A $2,000 Support for Adult Apprentices when employing a 21-24 year old apprentice. Eligibility applies   New apprentice and trainee figures show growth in non-trade occupations Figures release last month by theNational Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)show the number of people starting an apprenticeship or traineeship is up 2.9% for the September 2016 quarter, compared with the September 2015 quarter however, the increase is not from our trade occupations. The NCVER attributed the overall 17% increase to 23, 400, innon-trade commencements which include hospitality workers (up 600); and sales assistants and sales people (up 500). Trade commencements, decreased by 14% to 14,400. The main occupations contributing to the decline were other technicians and trades workers such as gas/petroleum and chemical plant operators (down 800); construction trades workers, such as plumbers, bricklayers, carpenters and joiners (down 600); and electrotechnology and telecommunication workers (down 500). According to the NCVER September 2016 findings, the total apprentices and trainees in-training decreased by 5.7% (278,500) from 30 September 2015.   National unemployment jumps to 5.9 per cent – QLD loses 11,500 jobs Figures released by theAustralian Bureau of Statistics(ABS) last week showed that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February 2017 increased by 0.2 percentage points to 5.9 per cent. Queensland observed the largest increase in unemployment rate (0.4 percentage points). Queensland also saw the largest decrease in employment (down 11,500 jobs). According to the bureau’s acting head of macroeconomics Jacqui Jones, there has been a relatively steady trend unemployment rate between 5.7 per cent and 5.8 per cent. “Underemployment has remained steady, which returned to a record high of 8.7 per cent, first set August 2016”. “The underemployment rate is still at a historically high level in Australia but has been relatively unchanged over the past two years,” said Mr Jones. BUSY At Work CEO Paul Miles said that while the increase in the full-time jobs was refreshing overall the news was not good. “It is encouraging to see this increase in full-time jobs, however the reality is if we look at the figures since February 2016 full-time employment has decreased by 23,200 jobs, and part-time employment has increased by 127,800 jobs.   BUSY backs insurance giant Youi with accredited traineeship program BUSY At Work’s already strong partnership with global insurance company Youi reached new heights last month with the launch of Youi’s tailor-made traineeship program for all new call centre employees. The first twenty new recruits were signed up through BUSY At Work to the company’s 12 month Certificate III in Customer Engagement program.     BUSY At Work General Manager Workforce Planning and Industry Engagement, Sue Loch was ecstatic to see the program get underway after having worked with Youi on the program for some time. “As an employer of choice in this region we are excited to be partnering with a likeminded organisation like Youi who are committed to engaging with the local Sunshine Coast community and supporting local businesses.”   Darien thrives in administration traineeship following Work for the Dole Program Mackay local Darien Andrews is positive proof that being a participant in a Work for the Dole (WfD) program can be a meaningful and life changing experience. The 21 year old signed up for a Work for the Dole activity at the Pioneer Tennis Club in September last year and is relishing the opportunity to learn new business skills in an office environment. BUSY At Work, Work for the Dole Coordinator, Kristy Gostelow said Darien had performed so well at the club that he was offered a traineeship on 30 January this year and is now studying for his Certificate III in Business. “The Pioneer Tennis Club is a not-for-profit organisation and was not able to provide the resources needed to keep up with the day-to-day running of the office.” “They needed an administration assistant and Darien started in this WfD role working 25 hours per week,” Ms Gostelow said.   Get Your Business In The Running For The 2017 Australian Training Awards The Australian Training Awards are the peak, national awards for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, recognising individuals, businesses and registered training organisations for their contribution to skilling Australia. Awards for businesses include: Australian Apprenticeships – Employer Award Small Employer of the Year Award Applications close Wednesday 31 May 2017.