4 minute read
Business
School holiday skills to boost hospitality
Young people across NSW are set to benefit from fee-free hospitality training during the winter school holidays to help them get the skills they need for the jobs they want.
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said 1,000 free training places are up for grabs for students aged 16 and above as part of a new NSW Government initiative.
“We want to provide more opportunities for young people to get the skills they need for a first job, a new job or a better job, and this program is another great example of that,” Mr Henskens said.
“By giving students a foot-in-the-door, they’ll gain practical experience and build industry connections, which in turn supports their ongoing education and employment pathways.”
Courses available include Statement of Attainment in Hospitality Skills, Statement of Attainment in Espresso Coffee and Food Safety Supervisor.
Since February, the NSW Government has delivered 10,000 fee-free Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) courses.
Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said the hospitality sector supports more than 300,000 jobs across the State and now is the perfect time for students to gain their free qualification and enter the industry.
“These free courses will help young people get jobs at local cafes and restaurants, which will support hospitality businesses who are in need of staff,” Mr Anderson said.
ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis said the hospitality industry offers incredible opportunities for professional growth and development and this initiative will give students a great head start in the industry.
“Local clubs are fantastic places for young people to begin their careers and develop their professional skills,” Mr Landis said.
“The club industry employs more than 53,000 people across the state and there are plenty of jobs available at the moment. This is a great initiative from the NSW Government that will help ease the strain of the current hospitality worker shortage.”
Training will be delivered during the July and September school holiday periods and are available through TAFE NSW and other registered training organisations. For more information, visit skills.education. nsw.gov.au/initiatives/ school-holidayshospitality-skills.
The NSW Government is supporting small businesses to connect and grow with the opening of the Small Business Month grants program.
Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos announced grant applications opened today for the ‘Connect for Success’ Small Business Month in November 2022.
“Small business owners and operators have highlighted the value of networking, sharing ideas and information. At this important time it is critical they have access to the latest information, trends and advice for their businesses,” Ms Petinos said.
“We are supporting small businesses throughout the State to help grow the economy and secure a brighter future for NSW families.
“Chambers of commerce, industry associations, not-forprofit organisations and local councils can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to deliver activities that directly support their small business community from 1 to 30 November 2022.”
The theme of this Small Business Month reflects the NSW Government’s determination to help small businesses recover from COVID, floods, other economic challenges, and look toward a brighter future.
Grant applications will close at 5pm AEST on 5 August 2022.
For more information, visit: www. smallbusinessmonth.nsw. gov.au.
Increased penalities for unlawful industrial action
The NSW Government will introduce amendments to the Industrial Relations Act which will impose bigger penalties for unions that take illegal strike action in breach of orders made by the Industrial Relations Commission.
The amendments will increase the maximum penalties that may be awarded by the Supreme Court of NSW for contravention of a dispute order that has been made by the Industrial Relations Commission.
Under the amendments, the maximum penalty will be increased to $55,000 for the first day of the contravention, plus a further $27,500 for each day the contravention continues.
For a second or subsequent offence after the initial penalty is imposed, an $110,000 maximum penalty can be handed down, followed by an additional $55,000 for each day the contravention continues. This will bring penalties into line with those available to the Courts in Queensland.
Local business projects set to drive regional growth
Work will soon get underway on a number of innovative projects that will turbocharge job creation and stimulate regional economies, thanks to the NSW Government’s $40 million Regional Job Creation Fund Round Two.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the second round of the Regional Job Creation Fund will see funding for projects including beehive manufacturing in Blayney, upgrades to a goat meat processing facility in Bourke, and a Mine Truck Simulator in Muswellbrook to promote driver training and education for Indigenous people.
Mr Toole said the NSW Government is committed to co-funding regional projects and businesses to speed up or expand operations, enable emerging industries, and help interstate and international businesses relocate their operations to regional NSW.
“There have been three successful applicants in Murray worth more than $2 million. This will see more than 100 local jobs created at Unsurpassed Australian Grown Bio Nutrients in Hay, Scentral Flavors and Fragrance in Moama and The Vinegar Factory in Yenda,” Mr Toole said.
Under the Regional Job Creation Fund, eligible businesses could apply for grants to support the purchase of new equipment, expand facilities, create new iconic tourist experiences and visitor attractions or relocate businesses from out of state to regional NSW, which will lead to the creation of new jobs.
An additional $100 million for the Regional Job Creation Fund was included in the 2022/23 Budget. For more, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/RJCF.
