AUGUST 2023 - NEWSLETTER
Want to better understand skill shortages in the Illawarra?
Join RDA Illawarra as we launch the findings of our recent regional skills demand survey with our research partner Enterprise Marketing and Research Services (EMRS).
9:30am - 11:00am Friday 11 August at iAccelerate, UOW Innovation Campus
While skill shortages are not new, the context in which businesses are operating has changed dramatically. Our phone survey of nearly 200 businesses in the region unveiled new trends on skill shortages including:
- Why the Illawarra has skill shortages?
- What the impacts are on businesses?
- What strategies businesses are using?
- What the future outlook is for the region?
These findings are the first in three waves of research that RDA Illawarra have committed to undertaking and sharing with our community over a 2-year period. A dashboard will be published later this year to continue to shine a light on the changing nature of skills shortages and the impact on business.
Enquiries to admin@rdaillawarra.com.au.
Skilled Migration Information Sessions
This month RDA Illawarra will host two migration sessions to support the Skilled Migration program for the region. Come along and have your questions answered by RDA Illawarra and the Department of Home Affairs.
Employer Visa Information Session
- This session will include guest speakers from the Department of Home Affairs, Investment NSW, and Migration Institute Australia.
- Included in the briefing will be information on how to employ migrants, visa options, and an open forum to answer any questions.
- Tuesday 29th August 9:30am - 11:00am
- Innovation Campus - Ocean Room, Level 2, Central Building
Migration Settlement Session
- Skilled Migrants are invited, alongside their family and friends, to attend an information session on transitioning into the community, finding employment, and support services.
- Tuesday 29th August 1:00pm - 2:30pm
- Innovation Campus - Ocean Room, Level 2, Central Building
Stay connected by joining our Skilled Migration Jobs Board Facebook Group here.
Food in the Illawarra collaborations on the table
Michael Claessens, CEO of Regional Development Australia ACT, visited the Illawarra to discuss “Food in the Illawarra” with Karen Charleton (UOW) and Debra Murphy, CEO of RDA Illawarra. Discussions centred on food security, cost of living pressure, supply chains and vertical farms. We will continue the conversation with University of Wollongong and RDA ACT to share learnings and explore a collaboration project across the regions.
Regional Investment Framework & RDA Charter
The Australian Government's Regional Investment Framework (RIF) sets out a new approach to supporting strong and sustainable regions. This framework supports a joined-up and cohesive approach to delivering regional investment, coordinating across governments and placing regions and their people at the centre of decision making.
The RIF underpins the role of RDA's across Australia as outlined in the new RDA Charter, announced by the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, the Hon Kristy McBain MP at last week's RDA National Forum, attended by RDA Illawarra.
Find out more about The Voice
Do you want to know more about “The Voice”?
The best source of information on what the Voice will do and how it will be set up is available here www.voice.gov.au.
Download the Voice Information Booklet here.
New Industry Growth Program for SMEs
As part of the 2023-24 May Budget, the Australian Government announced a new $392.4 million Industry Growth Program for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.
The Industry Growth Program (IGP) will replace the Entrepreneurs’ Programme and offer advice and grant funding to innovative small and medium Aussie businesses (SMEs).
The new initiative will launch in late 2023 and will provide advice and matched grant funding for SMEs and start-ups to commercialise their ideas and grow their businesses.
Find out more about the program here.
ABC Heywire competition OPEN NOW
The ABC is calling for stories from young people aged 16-22 to be entered in the Heywire Competition.
This annual storytelling competition showcases what life is like in regional, rural and remote Australia. Up to 40 winners, chosen from right across Australia, will work with ABC producers to see their stories featured on the ABC.
Winners also receive a place at the Heywire Regional Youth Innovation Summit, where they will come together to discuss how life could be improved for young people in their communities.
Enter your story by Friday 1 September 2023.
TAFE NSW - Cyber Short Courses
TAFE NSW has two short courses in Digital Security on offer and are seeking expressions of interest. The two courses, Statement of Attainment in Digital Security and Privacy in the Workplace and Statement of Attainment in Protect Your Personal Identity Online will commence on the 9th of October 2023.
The training will provide students with the skills and knowledge required to handle, store and protect from cyber security threats.
To learn more about these courses, please submit your expression of interest via the link below.
