Business

MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET SKILLED FOR FREE

NSW residents who want to get skilled for a frst job, a new job or a better job will have more opportunities to access fee-free training, with the NSW Government extending funding through to the end of the 2022-23 fnancial year. The joint NSW - Federal Government funded JobTrainer program, providing fee-free training in response to the impact of COVID-19, is due to end in December, but the NSW Government will step in to ensure more people can access training so they can get jobs in priority industries. Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens announced the funding extension to mark the commencement of National Skills Week, which will remove barriers to training and help people get the skills they need for the jobs they want. “We want people to get skilled, fnd in-demand jobs, grow the economy and deliver a brighter future for their families,” Mr Henskens said. “When it comes to investing in skills and training, NSW has led the nation. Despite the Commonwealth’s funding for fee-free training ceasing at the end of this year, the NSW Government will extend funding for feefree courses through to July 2023. “The funding will target the in-demand industries such as community services, including aged care and disability support, hospitality, agriculture, and digital technology. “On top of our unprecedented investment in fee-free training, the NSW Government is also delivering revolutionary new programs and projects, such as our Institutes of Applied Technology and the New Education Training Model.” Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter welcomed the investment which will help train more workers for jobs in critical industries. “The number one issue facing businesses right now is access to skilled workers. Every person that gets skilled up and into a job under this program is a success story for local communities and businesses across NSW,” Mr Hunter said. For more information on eligibility and locations of the fee-free training courses across NSW including online, visit https://education. nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw.

‘Big Super’s’ investments supercharge retirement savings and the Australian economy

Industry Super Funds’ unique exposure to unlisted assets – investments like property, airports, agriculture, and manufacturing – could lead to its members having more than $130,000 extra at retirement.

The ‘How Industry Super Investments Supports the Economy’ report highlights some of industry super funds’ $500 billion in local investments and details how industry funds now hold major stakes in almost every corner of Australia’s economy.

Industry super funds $100 billion in Australian unlisted assets not only provides excellent investment returns to members, but they also create jobs, increase productivity and fuel economic growth.

The higher exposure to unlisted assets has meant that on a risk adjusted basis, a 40-year-old member would have about $11,000 more over the past 10 years. At retirement this could be worth about $137,000.

Through their investments, industry funds are helping to boost domestic manufacturing capability and supporting agriculture and our regions. Industry funds have more than $3.3 billion invested in Australian agriculture, and over $29.5 billion invested in Australian companies with manufacturing capability.

Renewable energy projects industry super funds hold stakes in, can power almost 800,000 homes, and delivers 3.6 million tonnes of carbon cuts a year.

Increasingly funds are lending to Australian businesses either directly or via non-bank lenders – supporting local companies and start-ups that many banks won’t and flling a critical gap in the lending market.

The super system cushioned the economic blows of the Coronavirus downturn and the Global Financial Crisis before it, then provided funding so local businesses could get back on their feet.

After the Coronavirus downturn in 2020, Australian companies raised more than $8 billion in equity,

AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST TRADES HUB TO REVOLUTIONISE TRAINING

Australia’s largest multi-trades hub is open for business with more than 3,000 carpentry, plumbing, and electrotechnology students learning the latest industry skills at TAFE NSW Meadowbank.

Premier Dominic Perrottet offcially opened the new $157 million state-of-the-art facility which will revolutionise vocational education and training and create a pipeline of skilled and job-ready workers.

“This facility will bolster local training options and support the growing demand for construction trades, which will help grow the economy and secure a brighter future for NSW families,” Mr Perrottet said.

“The new custom built Hub will enable TAFE NSW to train an additional 1,000 apprentices for indemand jobs each year at Meadowbank, in a modern, state-of-the-art learning environment.”

Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the MultiTrades Hub is a game changer for TAFE NSW and forms part of the broader Meadowbank Education and Employment Precinct

“The NSW Government’s record budget for TAFE NSW is delivering more opportunities than ever before to help people get the skills they need for the jobs they want, and this world-class facility is training students for future jobs and connecting them with local industries,” Mr Henskens said.

“We have had a 20 per cent increase in women undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship in the last year, with an 8 per cent increase overall.

“The 12,000 square-metre facility features dedicated plumbing pits and a large-scale, fexible space to accommodate the construction of full-scale buildings for use in carpentry and electrotechnology training.”

Member for Ryde Victor Dominello said the Multi-Trades Hub has been delivered as part of the new TAFE NSW Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) at Meadowbank, which will be a cutting edge training facility focusing on digital technology.

“Ryde is being transformed into an education and employment powerhouse, and this new training space will help attract, retain and upskill local workers, which is a fantastic win for our community,” Mr Dominello said.

“The completion of the revolutionary new IAT early next year will complement the MultiTrades Hub, and create one of the state’s leading TAFE NSW training facilities.”

For more information on courses available at TAFE NSW, visit www. tafensw.edu.au.

BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SOLAR POWER IN NSW

Revised guidelines to make the assessment of large-scale solar energy projects clearer have been released today by the NSW Government.

Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said solar farms will play a critical role in the modern electricity system the NSW Government is building.

“NSW has some of the best renewable energy resources anywhere in the world,” Mr Kean said.

“Harnessing their power will help us deliver cleaner and cheaper electricity to households and businesses across the State, slashing energy bills and boosting industry.

“These guidelines will provide investors with the certainty they need to mobilise private capital and deliver the energy infrastructure of the 21st century.”

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the revised Large-Scale Solar Energy Guidelines would ensure solar farms are built in the right areas to beneft the community.

“There are 83 projects that have been approved or are in the planning pipeline, with a combined capacity to power 7 million homes,” Mr Roberts said.

“That’s on top of the 18 large-scale solar energy farms, worth more than $30 million, which are operational.

“As solar energy becomes more and more common, it’s becoming increasingly important that solar farms are well-designed and in appropriate locations.

“Our revised guidelines help deal with emerging concerns and issues, and assist applicants and the community to better understand the planning and engagement process - from choosing a site, to decommissioning a project and rehabilitating the land.” The guidelines have been updated to include guidance on key issues, including visual impacts, the use of agricultural land and community beneft sharing. This follows changes to planning rules late last year, aimed at protecting the character and future growth potential of regional cities from renewable projects.