The Northern Rivers Times
July 21, 2022
32 BUSINESS NEWS
Record apprentice intake drives local jobs A record number of new apprenticeships and trainees will be hired to work on vital road and transport infrastructure in the regions under the NSW Government’s commitment to bolster job opportunities in the bush. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Government was not only building projects that would better connect communities but building the skills base to deliver them. “Local jobs matter – and we’re committed to training up locals so they continue to live in their community and carry out critical work like delivering on our $19.4 billion regional infrastructure program over the next four years,” Mr Toole said. “Nearly 90 per cent of roles have gone to those living in regional areas since the program was launched in 2015,
ensuring communities have the right people in place to rebuild after flooding, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the program will provide more career opportunities and encourage more people to work in the regions. “By investing in our people now, we will attract and develop the next generation of skilled workers to keep NSW moving well into our future,” Mr Farraway said. “Applications are now open for 135 placements - an 80 per cent increase on last year - with last year’s intake made up of 46 per cent women and 24 per cent of Aboriginal people, and we’re eager to attract more. “We are very proud of this program - while we continue to build and maintain vital
infrastructure for customers, it’s critical that we build a skills legacy to meet future needs.” Opportunities will be available across 10 disciplines, including civil construction, bridge construction, painting and blasting, electrical, heavy diesel mechanic, business administration, project management and three new programs in marketing and communications, finance and safety, environment and quality. Currently, 76 per cent of apprentices and trainees go on to secure permanent employment at Transport for NSW. Applications are open today and close midnight 7 August. For more: www. transport.nsw.gov.au/
New laws to help injured MSMEs agree digitization Blakeley banned helps sustain business workers and drivers from holding entry services, among others. As the pandemic slows families and drivers. NSW Parliament down, Australian small A digital presence has permit for 12 months approved changes to “The devastating 2019- businesses believe going become a top priority The Fair Work Commission has revoked the federal entry permit of Queensland CFMMEU official Andrew Blakeley and banned him from holding a permit for 12 months. This decision follows a previous decision of the Commission to suspend Mr Blakeley’s permit for 3 months. The latest decision of the Fair Work Commission was triggered by a decision of the Federal Circuit and Family Court on 11 March 2022 penalising the CFMMEU, Mr Blakeley and another official $102,000 after they delayed a concrete pour at the $6 million Marine Parade project site in Labrador in April 2020. Less than six weeks before the Marine Parade decision, the Federal
Circuit and Family Court on 3 February 2022 found Mr Blakeley had contravened right of entry laws in November 2020 during construction of the Queensland Performing Arts Complex (QPAC). At the time, the Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed a near maximum penalty of $119,880 against the CFMMEU for its two contraventions of the Fair Work Act. Mr Blakeley was penalised $7,992. Mr Blakeley’s 12-month ban commenced on 7 July 2022. A list of union officials who do not hold a valid federal entry permit, or have conditions imposed on their federal entry permit, can be found on the ABCC’s website.
workers compensation and motor accidents legislation that will provide greater support to volunteers, children of those involved in fatal workplace accidents and road users. The Motor Accidents and Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 amends the workers compensation and motor accidents legislation, as well as the State Insurance and Care Governance Act 2015, the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987 and the Personal Injury Commission Act 2020. Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the changes improve the benefits available to workers, volunteers, their
2020 bushfire season exposed a discrepancy in workers compensation entitlements between volunteer and paid firefighters who both give their time and expertise to protect communities across the State,” Mr Dominello said. “Today’s changes make sure that volunteers and their families receive the same access to provisional liability, compensation for funeral costs, and some other return to work and training costs, as their paid counterparts. Mr Dominello said the new laws also support the children of people killed in workplace accidents, who will now receive compensation to cover the costs of the NSW Trustee and Guardian managing their lump sum payment until they turn 18.
digital will help them retain their operations in the future, as revealed through a survey for International MSME Day 2022 conducted by Crazy Domains, a leading hosting and online solutions provider. When the COVID-19 crisis shut down businesses worldwide, many Australian micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) thrived by embracing digitalization. Such as launching a website (78 percent), sending business emails (81 percent), being active on social media (56 percent) and leveraging digital marketing (36 percent). Businesses have become more invested in getting online, spending more than $2,500 a year on online solutions, such as websites, domains, web hosting, business email, and marketing
for Australian MSMEs. Among those that currently do not have a website, 68 percent are willing to outsource website creation to professionals, while 32 percent would do it themselves. Among those who own a website, only 20 percent of them currently sell online, while 24 percent intend on selling online within the next 12 months. This isn’t surprising, as brand promotion and a professional image remain to be among the top reasons for building a website, along with acquiring new customers. Meanwhile, most eCommerce businesses believe selling online plays a key role in growing their business.
