Business Resource & Lifestyle Magazine Issue #56

GWP M a g a z i n e s

S yd ney

B u s i n e ss

SYDNEY - Issue 56 | JuLY 2013

M a g a z i n e

S i n c e

2 00 5

Special Edition Schools Industry Partnership

The Cancer of Military Incorrectness Page 8

SMSFs and the Importance of ‘Specialist’ Advice Page 12

Turn your Customer Complaints into Business Benefits Page 42

T o b e c o m e a c o n t r i b u t i n g w r i t e r i n B u s i n e s s R e s o u r c e & L i f e s t y l e c a ll 1 3 0 0 8 8 9 1 3 2 Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

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Editor and Publisher: Dmitry Greku Cover Picture: RKR Engineering owner Russell Ricketts with apprentice Ken Duncan, a former Work Placement Contributing Writers: Charlie Lynn Adrian Payne Angry Anderson Darryn Fellowes Cathy Krimmer Elly Beck Angelo Lambropoulos Julie Nance Art Director: Svetlana Greku Executive Officer: Daniel Moisyeyev Director of Public Relations: Angry Anderson Cover Design Xabier Goñi, XDesigns Photography: Francesca Surace, Stilz Fotografika Printing: Pegasus Print Group Business Resource & Lifestyle Magazine® is published by GWP Media® and GWP Magazines® ABN: 82 096 352 064 www.gwpmagazine.com.au Office Address: Unit 31, 7 Hoyle Avenue, Castle Hill, NSW 2154 International Standard Serial Number ISSN 1837-199X Advertising Enquiries p | 1300 889 132 e | info@gwpmagazine.com.au To Subscribe w | www.gwpmagazine.com.au

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Copyright GWP Media® and GWP Magazines® 2011. The opinions expressed in this journal do not necessarily reflect and are not to be regarded as the official opinion of the editor, publisher or their agents. All information contained within this journal is provided for general information purposes only and on the understanding that none of the content herein constitutes professional advice. The editor, publisher or their agents accept no responsibility for any claim, loss or damages arising out of or in connection with any materials contained in this journal. Readers should not rely on the publications in the journal and seek appropriate professional advice in respect of their own circumstances.

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

CONTENTS

CONTENTS 16 18 Special Edition: 16 Schools Industry

Editor’s Letter

Thinking About the Future Today Dmitry Greku

leadership

The Cancer of Military Incorrectness Charlie Lynn

‘Specialist’ Advice Darryn Fellowes

14 Employee Basics and Getting It Right

from the Start Elly Beck

42 Turn Your Customer Complaints into

Business Benefits Cathy Krimmer

Real Estate

Real Estate: Warning! Angelo Lambropoulos

Local Government

Publisher’s Choice

10 Trains, Planes and Automobiles

The Hills Shire Council

Special Features

12 SMSFs and the Importance of

Regulars

Business Advice

Partnership

Regulars

Bella Vista Hotel... Bella indeed ...

Crusade for Change

National Quest to Inspire

Hands-On Fun Tackles Skills Shortage

Try Before You Buy

Where are They Now?

A Rehearsal for Life

Embracing Culinary Talent

United We Stand

Linking the Key Players

Rebuilding Connections

Society & Life

Crime and Punishment Angry Anderson

Clever Companies Embrace Young Talent

From Disengaged to A Budding Entrepreneur Education –Business Partnerships: What’s in It for Everyone?

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

editor’s letter

Thinking About the Future Today

Dmitry Greku, M. Sc. - Editor and Publisher - GWP Magazines®

Some years ago I was approached by someone at the end of an after hours business event. He confidently proclaimed, (while holding a glass of beer in his hand as if it were a trophy): “Soon we won’t need to waste any time on education, all the education we need will be received from events like this one where you can have a few beers and get smarter every time. All those idiots with degrees will be sorry to have wasted all that time sitting around in classrooms.”

Fortunately, this bloke is not in a position to make decisions about public education. From my own experience, education is not easy. It means a lot of sleepless nights and billions of brain cells being used up while under pressure preparing for the many tests and exams… (and of course many are lost due to celebrations on the successful completion of each step). Undertaking a course of tertiary education takes a lot of dedication, not only from a student, but also a student’s family, teachers, mentors and so many other people around them. It’s a long hard road getting to the point where a certificate or a diploma is finally in the hand of a brand new young professional. Several clients of mine you can read about in this magazine have devoted their lives to working with young future professionals. I have known these people for years, but I never realised quite how many people, both young and mature, they are involved with. Somehow we don’t think about what they do as being a business but of course it is… it’s what they do for a living on a day-today basis. Here are some remarkable figures. They work at

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

approximately 330 schools with 110,000 students they belong, (by my estimation) to 70,000-80,000 families and that adds up to 150,000 individual parents. Would you like me to add the obsessed and ever-loving grandparents?

To take advantage of each developing generation of human resources, as business owners we need to understand the professional and social role these three people play in the transition of these young men and women from school to professional life

Undertaking a course of tertiary education takes a lot of dedication, not only from a student, but also a student’s family, teachers, mentors and so many other people around them. It’s a long hard road getting to the point where a certificate or a diploma is finally in the hand of a brand new young professional. It has been decided that this issue of Business Resource & Lifestyle is to be published as a Special Edition dedicated to the efforts of my valued clients and great friends Stephen Frost (BREED), John Waters (AusSIP) and Ian Palmer (PenrithSIP). (SIP - School Industry Partnership). They are all very different personalities united by one goal – to make a tough transition for 110,000 school kids through to prominent professionals as easy and as efficient as possible. Besides their impact on half a million parents, grandparents, school teachers, TAFE and Universities’ personnel, they also do a great deal of work with approximately 3,000 businesses. The main goal of the whole process is to educate all parties involved about each other highlighting all the employment, professional and educational options available. They work to ensure that every kid receives enough attention during this transitional process.

In my opinion, you’d have to be a superman to be capable of successfully accomplishing such a mission. So please read their stories in this issue, you will find that we can all benefit from their invaluable expertise and knowledge, which can be used to further accelerate the success of our own business. G

Letter to the Editor

e | editor@gwpmagazine.com.au

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1300 889 132 Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Leadership

The Cancer of Military Incorrectness The Hon. Charlie Lynn - Member of the Legislative Council

The cancer of political correctness has infiltrated our most elite military training academy. Cadets are no longer allowed to be criticised because it might affect their ‘self-esteem’. Instructors are forbidden to mark their papers with red-ink because it is an ‘aggressive’ colour. Military training has been subsumed by academic study. Team sport is no longer compulsory

One can only wonder if the future role of our infantry will be re-defined from ‘close with and kill the enemy’ to ‘close with and counsel them? The signs are already apparent. We recently had a case where a female Brigadier in Canberra charged Australian commandos for killing the enemy in Afghanistan. Thank God she wasn’t around in previous wars when our veterans killed Nazis, Communists and Japanese imperialists who slaughtered millions of innocent people in their quest to conquer democracy. Our courts would still be clogged! The introduction of the helicopter during the Korean War changed the nature of the battlefield and led to the entrenchment of inter-service rivalries between the army and the air-force. The concept of an elite training academy for our military leaders was spawned during this period. The aim was to breakdown these rivalries by putting future leaders into one institutional pot and growing them together. In Vietnam the US Army regarded the helicopter as another battlefield vehicle providing fire support and transport for its troops. In Australia they were owned and operated by the RAAF who regarded the army as a ‘client’. This led to much inter-service bickering which took more than 20 years to resolve.

The esprit of this college, with a proud record of producing some of our finest combat leaders, was sapped by relentless media scrutiny, academic commentators and political sycophants. The process of socially-engineering our military had its genesis in these scandals. Gays and lesbians were allowed to enlist. Women were allowed to share foxholes. Troops were allowed to have breast enlargements, penis reductions and gender changing operations if they were deemed to improve their ‘self-esteem’. Occupational Health and Safety was imposed to protect them from dangerous training activities. Instructors were banned from yelling at recruits. Military Law was transferred to civilian courts. The ‘security’ of our defence bases was outsourced to civilian contractors. It was enough to make any old digger weep. During my 21 years in the army we were constantly reminded that our defence force was a reflection of our society. The military had to adapt to diverse community values and attitudes in their recruiting and training processes. Unfortunately the arbiters of political correctness now regard our armed forces as agents of progressive change rather that a reflection of the society it represents.

They would undoubtedly call for Patton’s sacking for inciting violence and have him before the antidiscrimination board for not allowing women to join his wartime killing frenzy! If the Australian Defence Force Academy is not going to produce combat ready officers it should be shut down and allow individual services to revert to their traditional training colleges to do the job. We have enough universities to produce degree qualified recruits and to provide for postgraduate studies. In the meantime we should beg the enemy not to say or do anything that will impact on the selfesteem of our troops! G

The raison d’être of our military is to serve the Government of the day. Those who enlist are trained to kill and expected to die in the defence of our democratic ideals if necessary. Our servicemen and women need to be patriotic, disciplined, highly trained and well equipped for their role. Unfortunately this is mission impossible with the gelding of our current defence budget by the Gillard Government. Our borders have been busted wide open by foreign people smugglers. We are now on the verge of spending more on the welfare of illegal immigrants than we do on our defence budget!

The elite training academy envisaged before the Korean War became a reality a decade after the Vietnam War. It was to be known as the Australian Defence Force Academy and located in the nation’s capital of political correctness, Canberra.

One can only imagine how our arbiters of political correctness would judge General George Patton’s speech to his 3rd US Army in the war against Nazi Germany in 1944:

During this time bastardisation scandals were reported at the Royal Military College in Duntroon.

“Men...an Army is a team. It lives, sleeps, eats, and fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

is pure horse shit. The bilious bastards who write that kind of stuff for the Saturday Evening Post don’t know any more about real fighting under fire than they know about f***ing!...war is a bloody, killing business. You’ve got to spill their blood, or they will spill yours. Rip them up the belly. Shoot them in the guts. When shells are hitting all around you and you wipe the dirt off your face and realize that instead of dirt it’s the blood and guts of what once was your best friend beside you, you’ll know what to do..!”

For more topics and to contact Charlie Lynn, please visit www.charlielynn.com.au/blog.

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

LOCAL Government

Trains, Planes and Automobiles Transport is considered a key issue facing The Hills Shire and NorthWest Sydney, and transport concerns are often raised by residents and businesses

The Hills is one of the fastest-growing regions in New South Wales, and is rapidly expanding to take its share of Sydney’s future growth. While not being the final decision makers about transport infrastructure, Council plays a role in the bigger transport picture by advocating to the State Government for priority projects on behalf of the community. TRAINS The arrival of the North West Rail Link will bring major changes. Council welcomes it and has advocated on behalf of the community for rail for many years. The railway will be a game changer for local businesses, as commercial and industrial precincts become more accessible. It will provide important links with the Sydney CBD, Macquarie Park and Parramatta as well as vital connections between the Shire’s major centres of Castle Hill, Rouse Hill and Norwest Business Park. The State Government’s North West Rail Link Corridor Strategy outlines increased commercial and residential densities around the two new stations in Norwest Business Park that will lead to increased capacity for jobs. As well, the construction of a link between Epping and Parramatta is considered a priority, particularly to provide for the growth of centres like Carlingford. PLANES Council has long advocated for investigations into Richmond Airport as an interim measure to take the pressure off Sydney’s airport, as well as providing air travel services within 30 to 40 minutes from home for the majority of Western Sydney residents. Recent Federal reports have suggested that Richmond could perform and operate at a capacity similar to the Gold Coast and Cairns airports. While any second Sydney airport would take years to build, a commercial airport at Richmond could be operational within a few years. An airport at Richmond would employ between 300 to 500 full-time workers during construction

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

and up to 3,700 people by the time it is at capacity. It could have a flow-on effect of creating up to 3,000 jobs within the North-West region in the neighbouring areas of The Hills, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Blacktown and Penrith. Investigation of this opportunity will require Council to lobby both State and Federal governments for support and funding. AUTOMOBILES The Sydney Hills is a highly car–reliant area and, while Council works to encourage more people to use public transport, a number of key projects are proposed to address roads. Council is responsible for looking after local roads, while it is the State Government’s job to plan for and maintain the major arterial roads that connect towns and cities. Often, Council will do the planning necessary for a project, while making representations to the State for the funding needed to carry out the job. Some key projects include: • Signalisation of Glenhaven Road and Old Northern Road • Improvements at the intersection of Green Road and Showground Road • Widening of Windsor Road between Baulkham Hills and Parramatta with bus priority • Installation of traffic signals at the roundabout of Norwest Blvd and Lexington Drive • Extension of Greenhills Drive to Commercial Road to complete the regional transport connection between Box Hill and Rouse Hill Town Centre. Motorway link Council will also lobby for improvements to the Sydney Orbital System including the planning and

construction of a motorway between the M7 and F3. This link would provide a second access way to the North from Sydney. Also, reserving land now for a future transport corridor - incorporating a proposed motorway and a rail freight link between Newcastle and Brisbane to the north and Melbourne in the south via the heartland of Western Sydney’s primary manufacturing district - is seen as a key priority. Buses While rail will provide important links to other parts of Sydney, buses will still play a vital role for residents accessing employment, leisure and shopping activities. Council continues to advocate for increased services and also the extension of services into residential and employment areas - ensuring State transport agencies understand community needs and respond appropriately. A priority for Council is a new bus link from Castle Hill through the West Pennant Hills Valley – increasing access to the Sydney CBD. Clearly, an integrated approach to the provision of future transport is needed to ensure existing and future residents enjoy an excellent quality of life in the Sydney Hills. G

Are you looking for information that could help you grow your business? Call Council’s Economic Development team today on 9762 1108 for a confidential business visit.

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Like a tour? pHone +61 2 9762 1108 | eMaiL enquiries@sydneyhills.com.au | Visit www.investsydneyhills.com.au Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Business Advice

SMSFs and the Importance of ‘Specialist’ Advice Darryn Fellowes, Wealth Adviser - Skeggs Goldstien

With the ever increasing popularity of Self–Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) – over 478,000 to be exact – the number of so called ‘Expert Advisers’ has also increased.

For anyone who is a fan of, or knows even the smallest bit about pop culture, the phrase “You’re fired!” has become synonymous with the notion that looking the part does not always mean you are the best candidate for the job. Is your SMSF adviser a specialist, or do they just look the part when it comes to giving advice? The value of good advice As we mentioned earlier, with the rise in popularity of Self-Managed Super Funds, there has also been a rise in expert advisers who claim to be able to assist you with all of your SMSF needs. The reality is that often these advisers do not have the education, experience, or accreditation to back up their claims, nor can they provide a complete SMSF advice offering. It is important for investors to understand what qualifications and experience are required to become a Specialist Adviser. One way for an SMSF adviser to become accredited is through the SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia (SPAA). SPAA is recognised as the peak body for professional advisers and the leading association within the SMSF industry in Australia. Members deliver integrated financial advice and SPAA represents professionals that provide advice in the highly complex area of self-managed superannuation funds. A large part of being a SMSF Trustee is adhering to the strict compliance regulations set out by the ATO and the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act (The ‘SIS’ Act). A SMSF specialist adviser can also assist with all aspects of this compliance and ongoing management. Why have a SMSF? While SMSFs are not for everyone, they can be an excellent option for investors who are interested in having flexibility with their superannuation investments and are willing to challenge the advice they receive. SMSFs also allow Trustees to borrow funds to aid in investments within their SMSF and the main benefit for many investors in

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

setting up an SMSF is the control that is afforded to Trustees. SMSF in Action In our last article, we introduced you to Billy and Michelle Green as part of a series of articles appearing in “The Strategic Super Investor” over a period of 12 months. Since setting up the Achy Breaky Heart Super Fund, Billy and Michelle are up to speed with the ATO guidelines for SMSF Trustees and are now comfortable with their new role and the responsibilities that come with it. To recap, the initial strategy recommended the Achy Breaky Heart Super Fund borrow to acquire a commercial property for Billy’s mining consulting business using a limited-recourse borrowing arrangement. The Achy Breaky Heart Super Fund needed to borrow $300,000 to combine with $300,000 from the Fund’s existing cash assets in order to purchase the $600,000 property. Diversification In addition to purchasing the property, Billy and Michelle were also interested in diversifying a portion of their Fund. After the purchase of the property, they were left with $200,000 to invest among Australian shares and fixed interest. After reviewing The Achy Breaky Heart Super Fund’s portfolio, it is on its way to achieving the long term retirement goals of its members. It is receiving the expected rental income of $40,000 p.a. which is being used to repay the $300,000 loan in both principal and interest repayments over the next 10 years. The fund is also receving contributions of $20,000 from the members along with interst and dividend income from the other various investments in shares and fixed interest. Few changes needed Given the passive nature of the portfolio, there are little changes that need to be made at this early stage. The initial structure of the Fund meets Billy and Michelle’s objectives, minimises capital volatility, and takes advantage of positive compound returns over the long term. As shown above, the allocation within the portfolio has not changed significantly from the initial set up because when we reviewed the portflio we recommended maintaining the existing portfolio until there is sufficient surplus cash worthy of investment within the fund’s cash account.

The chart below shows the asset allocation within the Achy Breaky Heart Super Fund. Asset Class

Benchmark

Current Allocation

Defensive Asset Subclasses

Cash

5.53

Australian Fixed Interest

9.97

International

0.00

Australian Shares

10.24

International Shares

0.00

Listed Property

0.00

Direct Property

74.26

Other

0.00

Total

100

Fixed Interest

Growth Asset Subclasses

The Achy Breaky Heart Super Fund has performed as expected with the largest asset within the portfolio (the commercial property) provding a known rate of return to the fund of 6.67% rent plus capital growth regardless of how the equity markets perform. The current allocation to cash has also increased slightly compared to the original allocation due to super contributions being received by the fund. Equity markets have also performed strongly, resulting in a slight increase in its allocation within the portfolio. We will revisit The Achy Break Heart Super Fund in the future to see how it performs over the next 12 months. G If you require assistance with your SMSF, or are interested in establishing one, the SPAA Accredited, Specialist Advisers at Skeggs Goldstien can help you with all aspects of your SMSF. Skeggs Goldstien Associates p | 1300 753 447 e | admin@sgapl.com.au w | www.sgapl.com.au

skeggs golds ien

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Business Advice

Employee Basics and Getting It Right from the Start Elly Beck, Practice Manager - The HR Department

Employees are sometimes taken for granted. They are expected to perform their jobs so that your business can grow and achieve but little thought is given to how this will happen. Unfortunately the question about managing employees usually comes up when things are not going well – when there are problems with employees, when there is a struggle to retain people or attract new talent. The key to successfully managing employees lies in a planned approach which ensures fairness and consistency for all.

Understanding what satisfies and motivates employees is the key to retaining current employees and attracting new ones. Of course, money isn’t everything! And being proactive, addressing it while you’re not dealing with immediate problems should set you up to avoid challenges in the future. Leadership is paramount. Whether you are the business owner or a manager, employees quickly come to understand how you run the business and the culture within it. We discussed leadership in last month’s article so let’s now think about establishing the basic factors for your employees. Ensure that: • Consistent and required policies are available and followed • Supervision is adequate and supportive • Reporting relationships are clear and objective • Working conditions are as pleasant as possible • Salary is commensurate with the job role • You have a zero tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour Whilst addressing these issues will not especially motivate your employees to work harder, if they aren’t addressed, they will become unhappy and leave, thereby increasing your turnover rates and your future recruitment and training expenses. Once the basic factors are established successfully and your employees are satisfied, you can move on to the elements that really motivate and engage them to be more efficient and improve the performance of your business

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

for example: • Opportunities for achievement • Recognition of good performance • Providing sufficient job challenges • Giving more responsibility for those who seek it • Enabling advancement and growth for your star performers.

Dealing with any problems through open feedback while they are small is a great way to avoid time-consuming performance management processes. Once your candidate has demonstrated the values and commitment you desire, then further training, development or advancement can be considered.

Understanding what satisfies and motivates employees is the key to retaining current employees and attracting new ones. It all starts with setting clear expectations of your staff. This can be achieved as early as your advertising and recruitment process. The job description should clearly outline the position objectives, tasks and responsibilities, as well as the qualities, experience and educational requirements of the person. This should be reflected in the advertisement to attract the right candidates. The interview process allows you to choose the people who will be the right fit for your organisation based on the content of the job description. Once a recruit is chosen, making an offer competitive to the market will secure your new employee. The offer should take into consideration the salary/pay rate and any other benefits, as well as provide further information about the company that the candidate may wish to consider.

Getting the core basics in place will ensure your employees are satisfied. Only then can you work on implementing strategies that will help motivate and engage them. Next month we will talk about bringing all of your employees together as a team by understanding the skills and attributes each brings to the table and how you can utilise this to foster a great team and improve your business outcomes. G If you would like to discuss how The HR Department can help you to ensure employee basics are covered for your business please contact us by calling 02 8850 6124.

The HR Department Ensuring the working conditions are acceptable for the relevant occupation will ensure employees have the tools required to do their job, and a pleasant environment in which to work. A thorough induction not only outlines the expectations, but orients the new employee to your workplace, the staff and the organisational culture – and makes them feel welcome! Open communication including regular reviews of their progress will demonstrate your interest in your new employee being able to settle in and develop as expected.

p | 02 8850 6124 e | elly@thehrdepartment.com.au w | www.theHRdepartment.com.au

You can focus on your core business HR SUPPORT AND ADVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST

· HR Framework · HR Helpline · HR Consultants · HR Education

BENEFITS: access to skills and expertise when you need it

cost effective

The HR Department was born out of the realisation that there are thousands of small to medium business without dedicated human resources professionals to help. Statements kept arising which made it clear businesses needed help. “I spend so much time on staff problems I don’t seem to have any time for my own work” “I go home every day feeling like I’ll never catch up” “I need to reduce my costs but I can’t see how” “ I want to go back to my core business”

The answer was not to put on a permanent staff member for many reasons · fear of increasing risks in employing permanent staff · not getting the broad experience needed in the budget you can afford to employ a permanent employee

OUTSOURCING IS A PROVEN STRATEGY TO MAXIMISE BUSINESS EFFECTIVENESS

It helps: save money improve process limit exposure to risk access high level expertise ensure compliance with employment legislation

Feature

Clever Companies Embrace Young Talent Organisations are employing teenagers discovered through education-business partnerships, potentially saving them thousands of dollars as they bypass traditional recruitment methods.

At a time when many industries are suffering skills shortages, savvy businesses and industry bodies are helping to ensure a pipeline of upcoming new recruits from Western Sydney. Thanks to a recent partnership between the group training organisation MTA Apprenticeships Plus and Rooty Hill High School, leading companies Mercedes-Benz Australia, Heartland Holden, Denlo Volkswagen and the Peter Warren Group have received an injection of young talent from one Western Sydney area alone. And 14 school leavers are now enjoying automotive careers that may never have got off the ground. RKR Engineering owner Russell Ricketts with apprentice Ken Duncan, a former Work Placement student

MTA had a few traineeships and apprenticeships on offer at a range of Sydney businesses late last year. Rooty Hill High School careers advisor Jeanette Camillos encouraged the company to host a motor mechanics pre-apprenticeship course at her school, with 19 students from a mix of State and Catholic high schools taking part. The group studied in the classroom for three weeks and then experienced the industry first-hand, doing work trials at different host employers who serviced heavy and light vehicles. As a result of this initiative, conducted a week after most of the students had completed their HSC, 74 per cent of the intake secured work – 11 of those from Rooty Hill High. MTA Apprenticeships Plus General Manager Michael Wentworth says establishing partnerships enables “synergies that everyone can take advantage of”. “I think there is not enough of that as people get caught up too much in their own industry and the operations and everything else that goes with keeping that industry viable,” says Wentworth, whose organisation was set up by the Motor Traders Association of NSW in 2004 to address the industry’s looming skills shortage. “At the end of the day our partnership allowed schools to place young people in apprenticeships; I’ve got members of the MTA that have gained young apprentices; and the apprentices themselves have good opportunities to establish careers.” Real-world work experience brings meaning and relevance to students’ studies and the curriculum. Host employers who allow young people into their workplaces for a week at a time often do so for

Business Business Resource Resource & & Lifestyle Lifestyle || Issue Issue 56 56 || July July 2013 2013

Work Inspiration students who proudly showed off their creations on Facebook

altruistic reasons, including wanting to give back to the community. However, many do not realise the impact of providing a well planned, hands-on inspirational experience can extend far beyond a single student’s participation. Motivated industry groups and companies say while recruitment strategies such as websites, DVDs and glossy brochures may still have their place, the most powerful recruitment tool by far is enthusiastic young people who share their experiences via social media. The Visual Industries Suppliers Association (VISA) is seeing first-hand the advantages of teen promotion. The Association has addressed an extreme skills shortage in the sign manufacturing and graphic design industries by enticing young people through an innovative new national program called Work Inspiration. Already embraced across several different industries, Work Inspiration has been adapted by VISA to provide Year 10 students

with an exciting, practical three-day sample of work in a range of different businesses. VISA General Manager Peter Harper says students who have already participated in the scheme in Western Sydney are making an impact on social media – spreading the word about the positives of the industry. “We had the biggest amount of hits on Facebook that we’ve had in two years after the pilot program in May,” says Harper. “Who usually wants to look at a Supplier Association’s Facebook page but we had something like 260 hits in a day just from these kids spreading it out there and sharing photos of themselves in the T-shirts and signs they designed themselves.” Work Inspiration is just one of the latest impressive initiatives being adopted by employers who want to play an influential role in shaping the careers of young people. (For more information on Work Inspiration, see page 22).

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Work Placement is another highly-successful program, where Years 11 and 12 students must undertake a minimum 35 hours industry placement per year as part of their HSC course. This leads to a vocational certificate and credit towards a future apprenticeship or traineeship. Work Placement is often confused with Work Experience which is aimed at motivating younger students, usually in Year 10, to think about career options. In Work Experience students usually observe and shadow employees in a host organisation for one week, as opposed to Work Placement which offers assessable, hands-on training. Australian Schools Industry Partnership Executive Officer John Watters says many smart organisations only recruit through Work Placements. “They are looking to scoop the pool and have a point of difference, and help cherry pick students early on,” he says. “There’s not a lot of risk for the employers because if you go through the whole employment process of employing someone, inducting etc, three months later it could be a disaster. The old fashioned way of going

through the job interview, perhaps a bit of psych testing, is not always working. Work placements allow businesses to engage with students before they buy.” RKR Engineering at Emu Plains has hosted several hundred work placement and work experience students over the past 22 years. Owner Russell Ricketts employs up to two apprentices each year, with the majority of his staff handpicked from the Work Placement program. He says supporting students who are completing their Metals and Engineering course at school is part of his business philosophy of interacting with the local community and the “schools around us”. But he says an additional benefit is having an alternative recruitment method. “By hosting students we get a snapshot of who in the local area is capable, competent and interested and we can then go back and offer them positions,” says Ricketts, whose company provides a service for project management, design, manufacture and installation of structural

steelwork and machinery. “We get to see the young people and they get to see our business and work out if the industry is for them – it works both ways. We are interested in transitioning students from school to the workplace. We understand that is a big change for them.” RKR Engineering Apprentice Ken Duncan is thankful for his excellent Work Placement opportunity that directly led to his fulfilling career. “It puts you on the spot in the work environment and gives you a taste of what the industry is really like,” he says. “At RKR you get to do a whole range of jobs, not just metal fabrication. Another apprentice Ethan and I are now also doing engineering drafting and design. There are so many opportunities to move in the direction you are heading for.” G

Work Inspiration pilot program students

Business Business Resource Resource & & Lifestyle Lifestyle || Issue Issue 56 56 || July July 2013 2013

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Crusade for Change A powerful alliance of non-profit organisations is on a quest to inspire and empower more employers to give teenagers a go, starting with connecting with them at school.

The Business Education Community Alliance, funded by both the Federal and NSW governments, identifies, fosters and provides ongoing support for a range of programs that help students make the successful transition from school to work, training or further study. Ian Palmer, CEO of the Schools Industry Partnership – the Alliance’s Penrith arm – says while there are many businesses in Sydney’s west supporting teenagers, the number falls short of making a significant impact on the teenage unemployment rate which is nudging a high 28 per cent in some communities. Technically, he says, people are deemed employed when they work only two hours per week. So when these figures are taken into account, there are pockets in Western Sydney where an estimated 40 per cent of teenagers are unemployed or underemployed. “We are on a genuine crusade to let people know it is quite easy and profitable for businesses to help address this problem and we can show them how,” says Palmer. “If employers and their staff love their industry, we will help them find a way to impart that – to share their skills and passion. Students inspired through time spent at workplaces become viral marketing recruitment campaigns on social media, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to employers.” According to UK research, students who recall having four or more career interactions with employers are five times less likely to be unemployed or not engaged in further education or training at age 19 to 24 years. And the Australian Workplace and Productivity Agency reveals employers in surveys routinely rank work experience as among the most important attributes they need in their staff. The Agency’s Future Focus report, released in March this year, highlights Vocational Education and Training in Schools programs play an important role in helping young people transition from “learning to earning”. The Alliance assists thousands of young people with their progression through school to further education, training and employment in the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney areas of Parramatta, Blacktown, Hawkesbury and Penrith. The Alliance consists of three government-funded agencies – the Schools Industry Partnership (SIP);

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

The Alliance’s John Watters, Stephen Frost and Ian Palmer

BREED - Education, Employment & Economic Development, servicing the Blacktown Region; and the Australian Schools Industry Partnership (AusSIP).

more quickly than expected, benefiting from elevated commodity prices and high levels of public investment. But the report reveals as the focus of the economy shifts towards recovery and growth, there is concern that our economic growth

The Alliance is concerned a high number of teenagers are “falling through the cracks” progressing from school to work or further education. It bridges that gap by helping to establish partnerships between schools, businesses and the community. The Alliance’s innovative projects have proved so successful many of the programs have been rolled out on a State or nationwide basis. AusSIP Executive Officer John Watters says kids learn more in one week on the job then they can sometimes learn in the classroom over several months, “despite the best efforts of teachers”. “We need to be looking to the future, not only for altruistic reasons, but for pure pragmatic, economic reasons for our own businesses,” says Watters, who was a teacher himself for eight years. “At the end of the day if business, education and government don’t all sit down at the table and acknowledge that we all have a role to play, then 10 years down the track we are still going to be complaining about skills shortages, about kids not having the right skills and about an economy that isn’t as productive as it should be. We all have a vested interest in making these things work.” According to the 2011 Federal Government report A Shared Responsibility: Apprenticeships for the 21st Century, the Australian economy recovered from the most recent global economic downturn

A Metals and Engineering student in training will be constrained due to skill shortages. Areas of concern include engineering, construction, other traditional trades, and the community and aged care sectors. “All levels of government and industry will need to work to address labour and skills shortage issues and consider long‐term skills needs,” the report warns. Palmer argues that employers are the lynch pin to making a real difference and says it is a “tragedy” that Australia has massive skills shortages yet rising youth unemployment. “Industries are desperate for instant results to fill skill gaps

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Today’s youth, tomorrow’s workforce

and are bringing in skilled workers from overseas on 457 visas, leaving our teenagers languishing,” he says. “This is not a good recipe for a bright future. We have lost our way and we need to train up our teenagers via apprenticeships, university pathways and internships. There is a shortage of teenagers in a lot of industries, particularly talented, motivated and energetic teenagers.” A pivotal part of the Alliance’s work is starting conversations with employers on how to coach young people. Their mission is not just to get students work ready, it’s also about helping employers to become youth ready. BREED Managing Director Stephen Frost believes some industries experiencing skills shortages don’t always sell themselves to their best advantage. He cites transport and logistics as a prime example, with the interchange in the Blacktown area between the M2, M4 and M7 resulting in a lot of warehousing “springing up around the motorway”. “If you get into those enormous tin sheds of LG or Myer – they are huge places that are so advanced,” he says. “It’s all about electronics, robotics – it’s state-of-the-art but parents think of it as the old storeman and packer days and say ‘I want better for my kids’. The industry needs to sell themselves and get more involved with schools and career advisors to make them aware, not only how the jobs have changed over the years but what the career opportunities are. They need to show entry level school leavers where careers in transport and logistics can take them, and that’s around the world.”

Novotel Rooty Hill’s Sharon Abbott with Tourism student and award recipient Stephanie Mudge

Palmer says the Alliance can help each and every employer – whether that is a five-minute exercise or an hour assisting them in the development of a program that best suits their business. There are many highly-effective ways businesses can support local young people. In addition to work placement and work experience opportunities, popular examples include:

• Holding mock interview sessions • Presenting demonstrations to share skills • Welcoming students on workplace tours • Taking part in school-industry projects • Employing students in school-based apprenticeships or traineeships • Participating in a local careers expo • Mentoring a student or group G

• Offering guest speakers to provide insights into the industry and career advice

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National Quest to Inspire Work Inspiration is a new national employer-led campaign that makes work experience for students more meaningful, relevant and inspiring. Targeting 14 to 19 year olds in fulltime education, the campaign recognises that traditional work experience, in existence in Australia for about 40 years, is tired and needs reinventing.

Michelle Templin, Workforce Development Coordinator with GrowCom says all the industry members she contacted to be involved in Work Inspiration were very excited about the program and the benefits it offered them. “From an industry perspective it improved the image of the industry, which is what we had aimed to do,” Templin says. “But actually, from an employer’s perspective, it also exposed them to potential employees. Some of them took them on in traineeships.”

“Employers may say something like ‘I forgot you were coming – sit in the corner while I work out what I want you to do’,” Frost explains. “The kid thinks, ‘crikey, I’m really welcome here’. Having business motivated and involved is good for the kids, it’s good for the business and good for the industry. You may be the person that flicks the switch for the young person.”

Adapted from a UK model and initially piloted in Western Sydney by the Business Education Community Alliance, Work Inspiration has now been tested in every State of Australia. With backing from foundation corporate partner National Australia Bank and other partners The Smith Family and the Foundation for Young Australians, more than 1,000 employers and their staff around the country have so far embraced the campaign. The key to the program lies in its motto: “Turning work experience into work inspiration.” Lisa O’Brien, CEO of the Smith Family, says Work Inspiration is about mobilising resources from businesses and bringing opportunities into schools. She says this can only benefit young people, particularly those in disadvantaged socio and economic communities. “This program allows staff in organisations to connect and link with young people – our potential future workforce,” says O’Brien of the program that is tailored to suit individual workplaces and employees. “It’s our impression and experience that work experience is currently not giving kids a real sense of possibility and excitement about career paths and about potential employment pathways. The success for Work Inspiration will entirely rely on the commitment and engagement of business.” Pilot Work Inspiration employers include Yamaha, Rural Skills Australia, McDonalds, Agforce, ARUP, GrowCom, City Wide, Stockland, Queensland Museum, Visual Industries Suppliers Association, and Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia. In addition to providing students with real-world experience, the program is by default providing employers with a mechanism to screen potential future employees. David Kassulke, General Manager of A J Bush & Sons says: “It’s a great way for people to know what you do and then consider that and then make plans towards joining your organisation which addresses your recruitment issues through to the future.”

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undertake work experience some busy host employers spend little time preparing for their visit, not realising it is an opportunity to create a talent channel for their business. Students may spend time undertaking mundane, uninspiring tasks and end up being discouraged from pursuing a career in that industry. Young people can then deliver an informal PR campaign once they return to school, sharing negative messages about the work with their peers.

Work Inspiration students enjoy their time with Yamaha Nicole Richardson, an RTO Manager with McDonald’s, agrees her company can look at the program and see how it can be used as a preemployment tool. “We are actually getting young people into the organisation and allowing them to see what makes everything happen behind the scenes,” she says. “They also learn about themselves, their own career goals and what is it they want to get out of their future career. It’s about giving students a success story, whether it be a great success or a small success and they learn you can have bumps and challenges along the way but you can still be a successful person.” Richardson says the effect on staff involved in the program has been “really surprising”. “It was the fact that students took an interest in what they were doing, how they were successful in their organisation and what learning they had done after leaving school, up until their current position,” she says. “They were a little bit chuffed I guess.” The success of Work Inspiration is underpinned by School Business Community Partnership Brokers who help build vital relationships to enable special experiences for students. One of these Partnership Broker organisations is BREED. Managing Director Stephen Frost says Work Inspiration is about empowering employers to transform work experience into an opportunity for them to excite young people. He says when students traditionally

Work Inspiration is geared to not only teaching students’ technical skills, it also aims to drive home the value of ethics and team work. AusSIP Executive Officer John Watters says an additional aspect of the program is the fact it shows the back end and diversity of a business. “You look at Woolworths for example, or a large retailer, it’s not just about customer service,” he says. “They’ve got accountants in the background, they have lawyers, people in marketing, media, transport and logistics, people in maintenance. That’s what Work Inspiration does – it opens up these opportunities that people don’t necessarily see at the front end and that are usually not offered in current work experience.” The campaign encourages businesses to move away from the traditional approach of one student to one employer. Experience shows when organisations take on small groups of students, the young people enjoy the opportunity to collaborate, problem solve and socialise – also known as “discovery learning”. Students end up figuring out answers to workplace queries themselves, relying less on employees who may be challenged by constant interruptions. Schools Industry Partnership CEO Ian Palmer says another approach is for a cluster of employers, for example in an industrial park or main street, to share the hosting responsibility, allowing students to rotate through a range of businesses. He says when organisations make simple, small changes to the way they host students, the impact can be enormous. “One public utility decided to take business administration students on a trip to see their dams and pipes,” Palmer says. “This helped make the clerical work they were processing more relevant and they ended up feeling more connected to the industry.” G

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Hands-On Fun Tackles Skills Shortage The traditional sign manufacturing industry has morphed into an exciting new world where virtually any materials or objects – including entire aeroplanes – can be transformed into works of art. Addressing an urgent need to attract young employees, the Visual Industries Suppliers Association (VISA) is embracing Work Inspiration by devising an exciting three-day program for Year 10 students.

system called TVET – can emerge as secondyear apprentices. “In today’s environment, we can pretty much guarantee those kids who are involved in the training program will come out of school and we will be able to get them a job tomorrow,” says Harper, who plans to roll out the program in other parts of Sydney. “Most young people think of the sign manufacturing industry as a guy up a ladder with a paintbrush but it has gone in a new direction. People are out there printing and wrapping an aeroplane, a Lamborghini or a Corvette. The sign industry is getting stronger and stronger because everywhere you look there is

VISA students apply their new skills

Sign manufacturing & design students show off their T-shirts

Embracing the Work Inspiration program is one way the sign manufacturing industry is addressing this shortfall of expertise. For the pilot program VISA set up its own workshop next door to its office in Epping, with all the latest machinery, software and expertise to give the students the chance to test their newly-acquired skills. The students also visited two different businesses – Art and Soul which specialises in design and fullcolour printing; and Cunneen Signs which works on corporate signage and is a leader in engraving and profile cutting, making coats of arms for Australian embassies around the world. At the site visits the students interviewed the owners about their own work experiences, later creating career boards back at the workshop using computers, large format printers and Adobe software. The students were also set a task of producing a banner or poster to advertise the industry at their school. The finished products

In a pilot program staged in May, seven western Sydney Catholic high school students were given a unique insight into the sign manufacturing and graphic design industries with hands-on experience in printing, cutting and engraving. The program was so successful five out of the seven students have expressed an interest in undertaking a training program while they are still at school over the next two years, with the view to entering the industry. VISA General Manager Peter Harper says students who start their training through school at TAFE – a

signage – the side of a bus, a taxi, a road sign. As one of our member’s byline says, ‘a business without a sign is a sign of no business’.” Concerned about an “extreme skills shortage”, VISA conducted a survey earlier this year of the traineeship and apprenticeship requirements of Australian sign manufacturers. Of the 600 businesses that responded, the survey revealed between 400 and 500 apprentices could be employed by them tomorrow, if they existed in the workforce.

were displayed in May at the Visual Impact PacPrint exhibition in Melbourne, visited by thousands of people. Harper says the three-day exercise allowed the participants an entree into the “fun parts of the industry”. “The students also had the opportunity to laser print directly onto their mobile phones or covers and they created their own T-shirt designs, personalised name signs and stickers,” says Harper, who plans for the Work Inspiration program to be expanded in close association with TAFE colleges. “At the end of the day the students had something in their hands they did themselves from start to finish.” G

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Work Inspiration Insights The program encourages host employers to have brainstorming sessions with their staff to devise interesting and exciting ways to maximise the students’ time. Three “insight tools” are supplied to them by Partnership Brokers to help them get started, developed after discussions with young people, employers and representatives from the education sector.

Insight 1 All about me

Insight 2 Look Behind the Scenes

Insight 3 Careers Happen

This ensures each young person spending time at a business has a one-on-one conversation with a host employer or employee about what they are interested in and are good at both inside and outside the classroom. To avoid the conversation turning into a mock job interview, businesses are given a Personality Glossary for the student to complete, to help structure the chat and identify their individual traits, attributes and interests. The personality profile helps the student to work out the types of jobs they might be suitable for and are worth exploring.

This aims to provide students with an idea of the wealth of different opportunities and job roles available within the business and industry they are visiting. The host employer is encouraged to facilitate the young person to meet and talk to as many people doing a variety of roles in their organisation. Students learn about skills an employer is looking for and it brings a relevance to the related subject they are studying at school or college.

Students have the opportunity to interview an employee who closely fits their own personality profile, to learn about their career journey. The aim is to show students that careers don’t usually progress in a linear way and often involve set-backs that provide valuable lessons. This insight also responds to the fact many employers often find school leavers have unrealistic expectations when they start, and lack the determination to progress through training and to seize development opportunities.

www.workinspiration.com.au

Chatting with employers is vital

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

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Try Before You Buy In Australia 52 per cent of people fail to finish their apprenticeships – a huge waste of training time and resources. According to the 2011 Federal Government report “A Shared Responsibility: Apprenticeships for the 21st Century”, reasons for non-completion emerging from research include

Student Rebecca Marco (left) with CMRI’s Danielle Guli

“workplace or employer issues, lack of support, low wages and not liking the work”. However, many employers do not realise they can benefit from students starting their trade training while still in high school. This enables students to taste test the industry, eliminating careers that don’t live up to their expectations and potentially saving employers substantial time and profits training disinterested young people. The Federal and NSW governments have invested millions of dollars in building trade training centres and trade schools, including in Western Sydney. These cover industries including metals and engineering, business services, automotive, construction, health, entertainment, information technology and hospitality. When students graduate high school, they already have entrylevel skills and a Certificate I or II in their chosen trade. Sometimes they are even on their way to completing a Certificate III. Hundreds of students who have completed school or TAFE-delivered Industry Curriculum Framework courses, secure job offers and even full time positions with employers as a result of their oneweek mandatory placements. The great benefit is that students are productive and profitable for companies from day one. After Work Placement at Kanebridge Constructions

in September last year, Adam Hussain greatly impressed his host employer. He was offered a job and is now working with the company as a firstyear apprentice. “I knew I wanted to do a job that involved working with my hands but if it wasn’t for Work Placement, I wouldn’t know what to do,” he says. “It was the first time I had stepped onto a job site and I was surprised to see all the excavators and bobcats – it was the real deal.” As part of his Year 11 studies at Kellyville High School, Adam undertook a Construction Certificate II at Nirimba TAFE. He says Work Placement gave him the chance to prove he was a committed worker. “I put in 110 per cent and I like to get the job done and keep the people I’m working with happy,” says Hussain, who is interested in one day studying project management at university. “It’s a great learning experience and I’m doing something new every day.” Kanebridge’s Construction Manager Luke McCloskey says the program allows companies to see “what kind of person” a student is and their work ethic. “It was easy to see from day one Adam would be of great benefit to the company,” he says. Schools Industry Partnership CEO Ian Palmer says internal surveys of the NSW Work Placement program reveals 26 per cent of students are invited to apply for jobs with their host employers. Approximately 16 per cent of all Work Placement students gain employment directly through this process. Benefits to businesses hosting students include identifying and retaining local talent; creating good public relations opportunities; developing awareness between local businesses and young people; broadening the industry’s skills base; and creating opportunities for staff to develop leadership skills. In April this year Rebecca Marco became the first Work Placement student at The Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI). She says the staff made her feel so welcome, she is keen to be employed in a similar environment when she leaves school. “The work they did there was so inspirational as they would make discoveries about how to prevent or treat birth defects and diseases such as cancer, epilepsy and genetic disorders found in babies and young children,” says the Catherine McAuley Business Services student. “I was so happy waking up knowing I would be going to a workplace where people want to be there, they enjoy what they are doing and they appreciated me being there and would give up their own work to help me benefit.” The Alliance arranges placements for up to 9,000 Work Placement students each year who attend

schools or TAFE colleges in the Parramatta, Blacktown, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and Penrith areas. Palmer says in the early 1970s, 80 per cent of students left school in Year 10. “Now more than 80 per cent stay on to Year 12,” he says. “Global competition has greatly impacted on a lot of traditionally unskilled jobs, with many of these roles increasingly requiring a qualification.” This is where the Work Placement program comes in. Traditionally known as VET (Vocational Education & Training) courses, the Curriculum Framework courses, unlike conventional subjects, require mandatory work placements in both years 11 and 12, to satisfy competency requirements. With school retention numbers growing each year, contributed to by the Federal Government raising the leaving age to 17, work placements provide a positive alternative for many students who would have previously left school. The program also helps to target areas of skills shortages. BREED Managing Director Stephen Frost says industry has needed to step up and assist schools to deliver what used to be addressed by government departments and large businesses in the past. “With privatisation, corporatisation, maximising the return to shareholders and government departments having to deliver a profit return to treasury, training in large organisations for young people has significantly dropped,” Frost warns. “What used to be offered by industry for those students is being done at school but schools can’t do it all – they aren’t able to deliver hands-on industry experience.” According to the Federal Government’s report, apprentices and trainees currently represent 25 per cent of the 1.7 million students enrolled in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system and 3.8 per cent of the entire workforce. The report says: “The importance of the system is highlighted by the fact that more than 1.2 million workers are represented in the technical and trade sector, which represents more than 13 per cent of the entire Australian workforce. ... Our findings show that although the Australian Apprenticeships System is not fundamentally broken, there are areas where the system should be reformed to allow it to meet the skills needs of the 21st century economy.” Frost says any improvements to the “system” need to start by engaging high school students, a recommendation he has shared directly with NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell. “I passionately believe the government needs to write it into their contracts, in tender documents, that in order for companies to be successful in gaining a contract, they must agree to take on work placement students.” G

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

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Where are They Now? Just one week’s work placement in a business is enough to change a young person’s life. The following are three inspiring stories from former high school students enjoying their dream careers.

and talked to me for 20 minutes and asked why I wanted to be a chef and if I had my family’s support. He said he was happy to put me on as an apprentice but he’d like to give me a week’s experience to see if I liked it.”

For the past year Votano has been working as a chef de patie at Sixpenny, a degustation restaurant at Stanmore that offers a six-to-eight course menu. “At my school there was such a big emphasis on going to university but that wasn’t for me,” says the now 25 year old. “I stuck to

Julie Votano Julie Votano Julie Votano will never forget the day she was asked to prepare a meal for all the chefs in a busy kitchen. She was in Year 12 at the time and was on the last day of a week’s work placement at Barnabys Restaurant in Parramatta.

THEN: 2006 Work Placement

NOW: Restaurant chef

“Cooking for chefs in a professional kitchen is a lot different to cooking at school with your friends around you,” says Votano, who was completing Hospitality Operations – Commercial Cookery as part of her HSC. “I was really nervous but my risotto turned out pretty well, with a little help. That week was an eye-opening experience of what it would really be like working in the industry.” Votano’s passion for cooking began at Our Lady of Mercy College in Parramatta where she enjoyed her Food Technology subject in her junior years and then her Hospitality Operations course in Years 11 and 12. Unlike a lot of her classmates in that course, her industry experience encouraged her to continue on her chosen career path, even with the negatives awaiting her of long, often antisocial work hours.

Kellie Ames THEN: 2006 Work Placement

NOW: Marketing Manager

At school Votano also studied a second vocational course as part of her HSC – Retail Operations. However, the work placements were so boring she was turned off considering the industry as a serious option. “I was relegated to restocking shelves at a large department store for one entire week and the second placement involved the same thing at a large hardware store,” she says. “I didn’t get to see all parts of the business at all. Thankfully I was pretty confident I wanted to become a chef but this helped to make up my mind. My time in the restaurant was far more inspiring and exciting.” Votano’s risotto and work ethic were obviously a hit as she was offered an apprenticeship at the end of her work placement. Although honoured to be given the opportunity after she completed her studies, Votano had high aspirations of working in a fine dining restaurant and declined the invitation. She printed off a dozen resumes and set to work identifying Sydney’s best hatted restaurants. “I walked into Guillaume at Bennelong restaurant at the Opera House,” Votano recalls. “The owner and executive chef Guillaume Brahimi came out

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Votano thoroughly enjoyed the time and accepted the offer, spending the next three-and-a-half enjoyable years there, mentored by talented chef Jose Silva. “As a young girl coming from an allgirls Catholic school, entering that big kitchen was hard and intimidating but Jose was always so reassuring and I could always go to him for support,” Votano says. “I later worked at Rockpool on George Street, one of Neil Perry’s original restaurants, which was also such a good learning experience.”

my guns and followed my passion for cooking. Work placement made me realise being a chef was definitely for me. Every day you get to cook for people and make them happy – it’s really satisfying.” Kellie Ames Like many other employees at Featherdale Wildlife Park, Marketing Manager Kellie Ames began her career at the popular tourist destination after a student work placement stint. Her days are

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now spent promoting the home of 300 native Australian animals – featured in blockbuster movies Australia and Crocodile Dundee and Qantas’ international advertising campaign.

share during their week at Featherdale. We may be able to pass on many skills that will assist them with finding future employment, but often we learn something valuable from our students in return.”

Ames’ journey began in the e-commerce department of Amalgamated Holdings, which owns Featherdale. She always harboured a dream of working with captive animals so in 2005 embarked on a Certificate II in Animal Studies at TAFE. As part of her course she had to complete a compulsory 40-hour work placement and Featherdale was her host employer.

Nathan Horsley When Nathan Horsley turned up to his host employer for a week’s work placement, he was shy and reserved but keen to learn all he could about the IT industry. Not only did the 17 year old thrive at BREED, he was named Work Placement Student of the Year and was spotted at the award ceremony by an employer who offered him a job.

“Six months later a position opened up at the park and they thought of me at head office because they knew I had completed the course and the work placement,” says Ames, who had previously completed a Bachelor of Business, majoring inmarketing. “I was able to get an interview and secured the position. Work placement really helped me to gain an insight into the industry. Although the role I secured was in marketing, I do get to raise young animals including agile wallaby joeys, eastern grey kangaroos and a wombat. At the moment I’m completing a captive animals course.”

“I was a bit of a lonely, shy boy who wouldn’t sit and have a full conversation with someone but I’d be like ‘let me at the work, I’ll do what I need to do’,” Horsley says. “I did work placement with a friend of mine Michael and we were given tools and 15 old computers to strip, work out what was wrong with them and then try to fix them. If we ever had any questions we’d have lots of support from the head of the organisation Stephen Frost or the onsite IT guy. Looking back on it now it was awesome – I really appreciate my time there as it was a stepping stone into the corporate world.”

Kellie has been working with Amalgamated Holdings for 20 years this December – one of Australia’s leading entertainment, hospitality, tourism and leisure companies. She started off on a cinema cleaning team as a 15-year-old school student, later worked on website content at the company’s head office and progressed at Featherdale to her current position as marketing manager. It’s no surprise that Kellie is a big supporter of young people wanting to sample her industry. Each week Featherdale takes on three students for five days visits – those in Year 10 completing work experience and Years 11 and 12 Work Placement students undergoing primary industry, business, tourism and retail courses as part of their HSC. With more than 100 students to assist each year, Featherdale has a close relationship with local workplace service provider BREED. For more than 10 years BREED has been liaising between the park and local high schools and TAFE colleges, scheduling students and ensuring all documentation is in place. “We find many of our future Featherdale employees from the work experience and work placement students who pass through our doors,” says Ames, whose park attracts more than 330,000 visitors each year. “Initiative, maturity and a willingness to work hard are key attributes we look for in an employee. We often find that students will bring a fresh perspective and new ideas which they

When Horsley finished his schooling at Bidwill Chifley College he took up an apprenticeship with the owner of the computer repair shop Z-tronics, the man who was impressed with him at the award

ceremony. After 18 months he was poached by a customer who specialised in databases – offering him the chance to further explore his interest in software, coding and writing script. Horsley worked on major projects including in the Premier’s office and for Blue Scope Steel. He completed a four-year traineeship, including gaining a Diploma in Networking. He impressed his TAFE teachers so much they offered him a casual role as a teacher at Richmond TAFE. “I was teaching Networks Certificate III and PC Support from 6pm to 9pm after work, while also studying myself,” Horsley says of that busy time. After juggling the study, work and teaching load for one and a half years and working at the business for more than five years, Horsley decided it was time to go out on his own. In February this year he joined with two partners and set up “Action CRM” – a networking and database company servicing the Parramatta district. “As a high school student I always hoped one day I’d run my own IT business but I didn’t think it would happen at the age of 23,” says Horsley. “I wouldn’t have got where I am now without work placement. Sure there are students that might not embrace the opportunity like I did but there are others out there like me who wanted a future in the industry and wanted to do their best.” G

TOP SUPERVISOR TIPS Some businesses develop their own programs for Work Placement students while others take up the offer of support from Work Placement service providers. The Business Education Community Alliance has developed a range of resources and techniques to help employers develop a hosting program for students. This benefits not only the young people on placements but also employees who, in the majority of cases, are charged with showing students the ropes.

A simple yet powerful coaching technique to help students is to:

• Tell them about it • Show them how it is done • Watch them do it • Praise what they did well • Correct any shortcomings • Repeat for practice “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” - Confucius

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Feature

A Rehearsal for Life At Riverside Theatres students soon learn there’s far more to putting on a show than turning on the lights in readiness for the actors to walk out on stage. In the multi-venue performing arts centre in the CBD of Parramatta, Work Placement students gain a quick appreciation of the diversity of tasks involved before the curtain goes up.

Sean Clarke, Grey Lyons and Robert Love in the Riverside Theatre

“Students do a whole range of stuff with us from bumping in, that is setting up a show, packing up a show, marketing mail-outs, organising advertising around the building, setting up microphones – there’s nothing much they don’t do,” says Sean Clarke, Riverside’s Technical Coordinator. “They are not put in cotton wool and allowed to do only the jobs and hours they want. They are literally an employee for the week so if we have a 7am bump in, provided they can get to the venue on time, they will start work at 7am.” Riverside has taken on more than 480 students over the past 10 years, usually hosting one a week. The Work Placement students studying Entertainment as part of their HSC are focussed on the technical aspects of a production rather than performance, learning elements such as lighting design, stage management and set design. Riverside Theatres Director Robert Love says although it’s not the purpose of the scheme, Work Placement is the first occasion his company has the chance to screen prospective employees. “From our point of view it’s basically making sure there is a group of people who are interested in the industry, starting at HSC level,” says Love. “It is important – you are actually refreshing your labour base really. You are seeing new people and not all of them are going to go on and do it as a profession. But occasionally there will be somebody who is so enthusiastic and really interested in the whole thing and possibly that may have been sparked by spending time here.” Clarke says two former Work Placement students who have been with Riverside for a few years are excellent technicians Brooke Shelton and Greg Lyons. He says: “Greg is one of my heavily-relied on staff because he is across all facets of the building and he is multi-skilled in lighting, sound and staging.” For Greg, the Work Placement opportunity five years ago was “everything”. It not only earned him an employer-nominated “Award for Excellence in Entertainment”, it ultimately landed him a rewarding career at Riverside. “My old man did

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

lighting for an amateur musical society and I was going along with him since I was two, watching the shows and eating lollies,” says the now 23 year old. “When I had the opportunity to do the Entertainment course I jumped at it.” Greg now enjoys mentoring current students. “It’s awesome to see the kids who have some passion like I had, who aren’t afraid to do the dirty work as well as the great work such as the opening nights of big shows.” Riverside hosts up to 700 events a year including musicals, play readings, film shoots, contemporary dance, and TV programs. Clarke says other venues in the theatre industry opt out of Work Placement because they wrongly believe it’s going to be a drag on the company’s resources. “But I can tell you from our relationship with AusSIP, they organise all the students’ paperwork, make sure all the insurances are in place and they

check on the students – they are really like the HR department of Riverside as far as Work Placement goes,” says Clarke who also mentors students and gives talks to schools. Riverside sees the value in embracing young people by also employing an educational officer and operating venue tours for students. Love says it’s important to acquaint people with the theatre who have shown some interest. “Some of them may never have attended a performance so coming here on Work Placement might be the first time they walk through the door and they may well walk back through it again,” says Love, whose theatre also takes on business students. “There is an element of just introducing people to the fact we are here, both as a prospective employer but also letting them know they can come along and be entertained.” G

Feature

Embracing Culinary Talent Theo Stephens strongly supports the old saying “preparation is the key to success”. The Human Resources Manager of the Novotel Sydney Parramatta hotel has been accepting a Hospitality Commercial Cookery student there every fortnight for five years. The partnership with local high schools has been so successful, Stephens encourages other businesses to explore their own opportunities.

Students also help prepare for functions, with the hotel boasting 11 function rooms and the largest ballroom in Western Sydney, seating up to 550 guests. Stephens says the teenagers receive the same training as staff and are treated like real employees for the entire week. He finds the students usually arrive with a lot of reality TV cooking shows under their belts but they soon learn that life does not always imitate art. “It’s not shouting and yelling and throwing pots and pans around the kitchen,” says Stephens. “For us, having an enthusiastic

was allowed to help prepare for functions, develop valuable knife skills and provide input to the chefs. “I was even asked to try some food to see if it was seasoned correctly,” says the William Clarke College student. “This surprised me as they valued my opinion and what I thought the food tasted like. I wasn’t expecting to be given tasks that had as much creative freedom like making fruit plates with all the condiments on them, or setting up the cakes for functions.” Executive chef Shibu Madathil believes the Work Placement program is “fantastic”. “Kids can see

Novotel Executive Chef Shibu Madathil with student Erin Spelman

“I just think businesses need to give it a go and have a look at the talent that is out there at the moment,” he says. “It’s important for organisations to get behind young people and give them the opportunity to mix with professionals, talk to them and ask questions.” At the Novotel Sydney Parramatta Work Placement students work in the professional kitchen alongside the experts, doing a lot of preparation work, cracking “thousands of eggs” and showing their artistic flair in plating up meals.

student, very keen to work in an industrial kitchen, is really contagious. That rubs off on everybody. Our staff members like to deliver training as well and pass on their knowledge to up and coming people in the industry. The students have an opportunity to really create and that’s what they find extremely satisfying.” Arriving for Work Placement at the Novotel in May, Erin Spelman believed she would spend most of her week washing dishes or doing a lot of repetitive work. Instead, she was amazed she

the everyday workings of the industry and find out if it’s for them,” he says. “My staff enjoy helping the students.” Keeping the door open to potential future employees is something the hotel’s management always keeps in mind. Stephens says: “We do try to let the enthusiastic kids know that they are more than welcome when they leave school to send in a resume and cover letter and we will consider their application.” G

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Employers Partnering with The following organisations are honoured for their leading role in helping prepare students for the workforce. Education-business partnerships are the best way for students to discover the relevance of their studies and to develop essential vocational skills. On behalf of the students, families and schools of Western Sydney, we thank you for your ongoing support.

A 1st Class Bricklaying 21st Century Electrical Pty Ltd 4 Beans Café 48 Hour Film A J’s Mechanical Solutions - Metals A Step Ahead Carpentry A.M.P.L Carpentry A.S.S. Fencing AAA Mechanics Abel Auto Repair Ability Options Wholesale Nursery Above the Fringe Hair Design

Amscan

Bano’s Wall & Floor Tiling

BOC Australia

Amtex Electronics Pty Ltd

BATYR

Bodytech Automotive Pty Ltd

Anglicare

Beam Digital Pty Ltd

Boutique Hair & Beauty

ANZ Bank

Bean Counter

Break Thru People Solutions

ANZ- Hawkesbury Hills

BEC - Blacktown Enterprise Centre

Breakaway Travel Blacktown Tourism

Belgravia Leisure

Brentair Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Services

Apprenticepower ARC ARCS Building Group ARIA Restaurant Artistic Kitchens & Bathroom P/L Assam Abloy (BESAM) Australia Pty Ltd Association of Independent Schools

Bendigo Bank Parramatta Benetron Pty Ltd Bennetts Printing Berger Piepers Chartered Accountants

Bridgestone Blacktown Bridgestone Select Castle Hill Brunch Box Café BSD Industries Pty Ltd Bubba Moe Slings

Best & Less Pty Ltd Parramatta

Buckland Aged Care Services

Academy of Interactive Entertainment

ATEL

Best and Less Blacktown

Bunnings Group Minchinbury

Ausgrid

Best and Less Mt Druitt

Bunnings North Parramatta

ACCSR

Australasian Sleep Association

Best and Less Rouse Hill

Business Clarity

ACES (A)

Best and Less Travel Blacktown

Business Enterprise Centre

ACH Clifford Blacktown

Australian Academy of Beauty Therapy Australian Brewery

Best Western Colonial Motel

Business with Blooms Florist

ACH Clifford Pty Ltd

Australian Brick and Block Training Foundation

Bethany Catholic Primary School

Butler Steel Fabrications

Achieve Australia

Bhanin Ass. Aust/ Arabic Community Welfare Centre

Buttsworth Industrial Supplies

Action Autos Active Career College Penrith

Australian Business Apprenticeship Centre

Adjoanz Computers

Australian Business Limited

ADRA Community Centre (Blacktown)

Australian Club

Adriano Zumbo Patissier Advanced Catering Mt Druitt TAFE AFFORD AFL/NSW/ACT AIG Aircom Systems Pty Ltd Airlite Windows

Alfagomma Australia Pty Ltd All Metal Products Allam Homes Allmen Engineering Amadeus Catering Amazing Computer Systems

BZK Building Services

Blackdog Institute

Caddies Shack Penrith

Blackheath Automotive Services

Cafe Alcatraz

Blackman Bicycles

Cafe Cee

Blacktown Council

Cafe Encore

Blacktown Hospital - Food Services

Cafe Lime

Australian Rotary Health Australian Sustainable Landscapes

Blacktown Road Children’s Centre

Australian Training Company

Blacktown Youth Services Association Inc.

Cafe Zuppa

Blaxland Veterinary Clinic

Caffé Rosa

Bligh Park Neighbourhood & Community Centre

Campbell St Family Medical Practice

BAC Systems Pty Ltd

Bligh Park Takeaway

Carline Mufflers

Baiada Chicken - Blacktown

Blue Mountains Electorate Office - Roza Sage

Caroline Chisholm College

Blue Mountains Musical Society

Cassiopeia Specialty Roasters

Blue Real Estate

Castle Hill Exhaust Centre

Australian Defence Force Australian Gifted Support Centre Australian Industry Group Australian Rotary

Automasters Mt Druitt

Bakers Construction and Industrial Bakers Delight St Marys Banks Primary School

Aus SIP

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Big W Rouse Hill Big Wheel Tyre & Mechanical Repairs

AJH Leisure Pty Ltd

Belle Saveur Patisserie Cafe

Cafe On Ventura Cafe Red

Carrington Hotel Katoomba

Education – 2013 Honour Roll Castle Hill RSL

Colonial Hotel Werrington

Communities

Castlewood Kitchens

Colyton Veterinary Hospital

Developcorp Pty Ltd

Cater Care @ P.L.C. Croydon

Common Groundz Community Café

Di Mark Construction

Cater Care Australia at Sharp Corporation

Computer Discounts Penrith

Cater Care Sony DADC

Computer Pals Blacktown

Catholic Education Office Parramatta

Computer Paramedics

Cath’s Cakes Catwalk Cazo Constructions Pty Ltd Ccamatil/ SPC Century 21 Blacktown Century 21 Quakers Hill Chalk Dust Theatre Chansis Real Estate Parramatta Charles Sturt University Chica Booti Chifley Eastern Creek - Tourism Chifley Hotel Penrith Panthers Children First Children’s Medical Research Institute

Conrina Constructions Costigan Hills Real Estate Courtney’s Brasserie CP Inside-Out Building Services Craftsmen Office Interiors Cranebrook High School Creative Training and Coaching Crowne Plaza Hotel Norwest CRS Australia Cumberland Courier Cumberland Ford Cunningham’s Carpentry Service

D D.A.B Site Services

Choice Solutions

D.A.M Steel Fabrication P/L

Chris Chinn Homes & Extensions Pty Ltd

Da-Mell Air Conditioning & Heating

Circle Recruitment City Extra Restaurant Clarendon Tavern Classroom Catering Cleanaway

Damue Pty Ltd Dan the Man Landscaping Daracon Engineering Pty Ltd David Elliott MP for Baulkham Hills Dawson Buliding Group PTY LTD

Cleetondale Nursery

Daznel Property Maintenance Services

CMS Conference Centre

DCM Coffee & Donuts Seven Hills

Coca Cola Amatil

DCOMP Penrith

Coleman and Grieg

DCOMP Windsor

Coles Parramatta

DECOR

Coles Richmond

Defence Force Recruiting

Coles Ropes Crossing

Definition Health Club

Coles Rouse Hill

Degree Constructions Pty Ltd

Coles Windsor

Dehsabzi Lawyers

Collins Carpentry

Dept of Education and

Diploma Travel Rooty Hill Direct Cladding

Elliot Shiner First National Real Estate Emerald Kitchens Emmaus Village Employment Plus Mount Druitt

Directlaw, The Law Firm

Emu Plains Sporting and Recreation Club

Divine Concrete Pty Ltd

Endeavour Energy

DIY Computer Market

Enhance Fascia and Guttering

Dominant Air & Electrical Service

ENSYST

Down to Earth

Entende

Duncan Café

Enterprise Music PTY LTD TAS Guitar Factory

Duncan Foster Engineering Dunheved Golf Club Dyldam Developments

E E.Elias & Associates P/L

Enwon Australia Pty Ltd Enzo’s Mechanical & Exhaust Centre Event Cinemas Evolution Orthodontics Evolve

Eagle Boys Pizza St Marys Early Explorers Children’s Services

Eat Brasserie

Fairmont Resort

Eclipse Caravans Pty Ltd

Falls General Store Pty Ltd

Eclipse Electrical Services Pty Ltd

Fantastic Aussie Tours

Eden’s Café & Restaurant

Farm & Turf Equipment

Ed’s at Bidwill Hotel

Farrugia Kitchens & Joinery

Ed’s at Hawkesbury Hotel

Featherdale Wildlife Park

Ed’s at Penrith Golf Club

Fergusson & Wright

Ed’s at Winmalee Tavern

Fernwood Blacktown

Ed’s Bistro at Australian Arms Hotel Penrith

Firequip

Ed’s Bistro at Henry Lawson Club Educated Finance Eels Educate, Parramatta Leagues EFC EIP Diesel Pty Ltd EJF Engineering Elephant Bean Cafe Elite Automotive Repairs Pty Ltd Elite Menswear Blacktown Ellies All Mechanical Repairs

Fitted For Work Flower Power Orchard Hills Football Federation Australia Fork Brasserie Form Dance Projects Foundation for Young Australians Foxtel Management PTY LTD Foxteq Australia P/L Franklins Penrith Frazer Building Services

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Employers Partnering with Greening Australia

Full Contact Centre

Greens General Foods

Full Tilt Constructions Pty Ltd

Griffin Air Conditioning

Fullboar Fencing

Group Training Association

Fullview Plastics

GSJ Fabrications

Fusion Business Coaching

GSR Sheetmetal

Fusion Western Sydney, Check In Radio

Guitar Factory

Holroyd Musical and Dramatic Society

GWS Giants

Holy Family Children’s Services

K Mart Blacktown

Holy Family School

K Mart Mt Druitt

G Gaftech Pty Ltd Gateway Lifestyle, Nepean Shores Genesis Fitness Blacktown Genista Aged Care Facility

Hogan’s Engineering Hog’s Breath Cafe Hog’s Breath Café Parramatta Hog’s Breath Café Penrith

Joe Goodman Crash Repairs John & Ricks Smash Repairs John Lockley Smash Repairs Johnson Controls Jonora Animal Hospital

Hope Media

K Mart Penrith

Hanks Seafood Penrith Panthers

Horizon Aluminium

K Mart Stanhope Gardens

Harley Davidson Blacktown

Humanise

Kanebridge Constructions P/L Katoomba Golf Club

Harris Park Community Centre Harvey World Travel Blacktown

Katoomba Smash Repairs

Harvey World Travel Parramatta

IBM Australia

Keith Sleaman

Hawkesbury Auto Electrics

IGA Bligh Park

Kelly’s Cabinets and Joinery

Hawkesbury City Council

Impact Systems Technology

Kellyville Pets

Hawkesbury City Eisteddfod

Impact Training Institute

Kemps Kafe

Glenmore Beauty Salon

Hawkesbury District Health Services

IN2FIX Computers

Kezzas Kafe

Glenmore Park High School

Hawkesbury Equine Vet Centre

Inchcape Australia Limited

Kidz Corner Cafe

Global Skills

Hawkesbury High School

Inspiring Exchanges

Kildare Automotive Pty Ltd

Global Skills

Hawkesbury Hospital

Instyle Carpentry

King Henry’s Court

Gloria Jeans Arndell Park

Hawkesbury Native Landscapes

Intercontinental Sydney

Kings Exhaust

Gloria Jeans Penrith Plaza

Hawkesbury Newspapers

International Goalkeepers P/L

Kingswood High School

Gloria Jeans Plumpton

Hawkesbury Regional Museum

Gloria Jeans Riverview

Hawkesbury Visitors Centre

Gloria Jeans St Marys

Health Reform Transitional Office

Gloria Jeans Westpoint

Healthier Eggs

Gloria Jeans Windsor

Heartland Holden

Gloria Jeans Woodcroft

Heartland Holden Penrith

Glossop Motor & Automatics

Hidden Valley Lowlines

GMG Pacific Pty Ltd

High St Pre-School

Go Bananas

Hills Council

Golden Kim Restaurant

Hills Family Centre

Gourmet Herbs

Hills Lodge

GPC Electronics Pty Ltd

Hills Lodge Hotel

GPT Rouse Hill And Wollongong

Hills TAFE

Gramur Stainless

Hillside Hotel

Grandchester Designs

Hire a Hubby Blacktown

Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre

Grasshopper Landscapes

Hire a Hubby Penrith

Jobfind Centre Penrith

Landseers of Leura

Great Australian Kitchens

Hire Intelligence

Jobquest

Laurence Street Takeaway

GJ Ploeg Glen A Hanckel Glen Will Do It Glenbrook Garden Centre Glenbrook Panthers Bowling Club

Aus SIP

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Kingswood Smash Repairs

J J & L Kitchens J&B Realty Jac’s Café Jamaica Blue Mt Druitt Jamison High School

Kingswood Sports Club Brittania Catering Kitch N Things KU Penrith Preschool Kurrajong And District Community Nursing Home

Jarrara Park

JCV Automotive

La Montagna

Jesuit Social Services

La Piccola Villa Café

Jetset Travel Parramatta

Lachlan’s Old Government House

Jetts Fitness Merrylands JJ’s Kitchens JMA Developments

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Hix Group - Electrical Services & Data

Fresh Food Market

Laing & Simmons Merrylands Laing O’Rourke Lander Mitsubishi Lander Toyota

Education – 2013 Honour Roll N

Le Spot Cafe

Medicar Smash Repairs Pty Ltd

Liana’s Restaurant

Meg’s Grill

Liberty Service Station

Mercure Hotel Parramatta

Life Style Store

Metropolitan Carpentry

Lighthouse Community Care

METS

Lincraft Blacktown Westpoint

Michels Patisserie Blacktown

Lincraft Parramatta

Michel’s Patisserie Winmalee

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District

Lindsay’s Café

Micks Painting Maintenance Group

Nepean Careers Forum

Oracle Corporation Australia

Mid Mountains Animal Health Centre

Nepean Christian School

Oracle Windows Pty Ltd

Millers Fashion Group, Windsor

Nepean Community and Neighbourhood Services

Orange Tree Café

Minchinbury Automotive

Nepean Community College

Llandilo Automotive Repairs

Minchinbury Community Hospital

Local Court Mt Druitt-Attorney General’s Dept

Minchinbury Fruit Markets

Nepean Division of General Practice

Linfox Logistics Lithgow Auto Wreckers & Repairers Living Care Community Services Western Sydney

Nadia’s Café National Australia Bank NDCO Nepean Animal Hospital

Treasury Old Bakery Coffee Shop Ollies Cafe One Stop Cake Decorations Opera Bar OPS Recruitment Ora 2 Ora

Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital Ori Café Orixi Cafe

Nepean Hospital

Orlandan Concrete

Nepean Micro Computers

OSI International Foods

Mission Australia

Nepean Office Furniture and Supplies

Osso Steak & Ribs Penrith

Mitre 10 Blackheath

Nepean Private Hospital

Mobis

Newslocal

Model Farms High School

Newvale Enbgineering

Moore Stephens

Nextra Mt Druitt

Motor Serve Prospect

Nirimba Café

Motospecs

Noah’s Ark

Outback Steakhouse Wentworthville

Mount Riverview Public School

Noor Constructions Pty Ltd

Outdoor Computer Games

Mountain Ridges

Norman Lindsay Gallery

Oxygen Factory

Mr. G Electrics Pty Ltd

North Richmond Hotel Bistro

OZ- Pet

MS Motor Cycle Repairs

North Richmond Veterinary Hospital

Mt Druitt Asian Food Market

North West Disability Services Inc

OZWAC - Australian Women & Children’s Foundation

Mt Druitt Auto Body Repairs

Northcott Disability Services

Mad Mex Blacktown

Mt Druitt Auto Electrical and Mechanical

Northern Road Wreckers

Madison’s Mountain Retreat

MTA Apprentices Plus

Major Motivation

MTC Work Solutions

Mamre House

Multilit

Man To Man Menswear Blacktown

Mul-T-Security

Man To Man Mt Druitt

Munch N Sip

Mann And Hummel

Murray’s Sandwich Shop

Maroco Pty Ltd

Lollipop Playland Penrith Lots of Watts Lowes Blacktown Lowes Menswear Penrith Lowes Menswear Richmond Lowes Menswear St Marys Lowes Mt Druitt Lowes Parramatta Lucie’s Café F & B Lurline House Lynch’s Pharmacy

M Macquaire Rd Auto Parts Macquarie University

Miramo P.C. Services MIS Global Technologies

Novotel Sydney Parramatta Novotel Rooty Hill Now and Zen Landscaping NRMA - Club Care

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary School Out O Fashion Outback Steakhouse

P Paloma Architectural Joinery P/L Panarottis Pizza Pasta Penrith Panther Prestige Smash Repairs Panthers Group

NRMA Motorserve Parramatta

Parramatta Chamber Of Commerce

NRMA Motorserve Seven Hills

Parramatta City Council

Muru Mittigar

NSW Department of Education and Communities

Parramatta College

Mars Hill Cafe

Musica Viva Australia

Nut N Fancy

Parramatta Heritage & Visitor Information Centre

Mathew Freeburn Surveyor

My Café

Mcdonalds

Myer Blacktown

Mcdonald’s Windsor

Myer Parramatta

O’Brien Aluminium

MD Conversions Pty Ltd

MYER Penrith

Office of State Revenue, NSW

Parramatta Leagues Club Parramatta Pool Parramatta RSL

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Employers Partnering with Pat & Micks Smash Repairs Patent Solutions Pty Ltd

Royal Agricultural Society of NSW

Quicksilver Bricklaying

Royal Life Saving NSW

Paul Wade Life Skills PC Web Computers PCYC Mt Druitt PCYC Parramatta Penrith Business Alliance

Rum Corps Barracks Golf Course

R & J Motors Smash Repairs R P Bricklaying Pty Ltd R.S Fisher Pty Ltd

Rydges Hotel Parramatta

Snap Printing Parramatta Special Broadcasting Service SBS Spotlight Spotlight Springwood Car Care Springwood Country Club

Penrith Christian Community School

Radio National

Penrith Christian School

Rafton Family Lawyers

Penrith City Centre Association

Railway Garage

Sabatinis Italian & Seafood Restaurant

Penrith City Council

Rashay’s Café and Restaurant

Sainty Engineering

Penrith District A H & I Society Ltd

Ray and Lou’s Café/Grill

Sapphire’s Cafe

Penrith Gaels Club, Shamrock Bistro

Ray White Real Estate Parramatta

Saunders Print Group

Penrith Musical Comedy Company

Ray Williams, Member for Hawkesbury

Saweres & Associates

Penrith RSL

Razz Restaurant

Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre

REACH Foundation

Penrith VET Hospital

Rebel Sport Ltd Parramatta

Peppercorn Cafe

Secret Garden and Nursery, Hawkesbury Skills

Rebel Sports Auburn

Petbarn

Senator Smash Repairs

St Marys Veterinary Hospital

Rebel Sports, Rouse Hill

Peter Wynn’s Score

Serco-Sodexho Glenbrook

Regent Parks Men’s Shed

Peters Meats - Blacktown

Sergio’s Cake Shop

St Paul the Apostle Primary School

Regentville Public School

Pharos Coaching

Shane Cini Enterprises

Reject Shop Mt Druitt

Phil’s Bistro

Reserve Bank

Shangri La Hotel, The Rocks Sydney

Piedmont Inn Pizza Restaurant

Restaurant Como

Shann Australia

State Training Services

Pirri Innovations

Richardson & Wrench

Sharp

Storage King Penrith

Pirtek Blacktown Pty Ltd

S & D Plumbing & Draining

Rebel Sport Blacktown

S.D Stubbs

Scenic World Scenic World Restaurant School for Social Entrepreneurs

Springwood Hospital St Andrew’s College St Anthony’s Early Learning Centre St Anthony’s Primary School St Clair High School St Elizabeth Nursing Home St John of God Hospital St Joseph’s Primary School St Marys Band Club St Marys Joinery Pty Ltd St Mary’s Primary School

St Paul’s Grammar School St Vincent De Paul Stainless Metal Craft

Richmond Prestige Smash Repairs

Sheraton on the Park

Stout Road Smash Repairs

Plumpton Café

Richmond Records

Sheriff’s Office Parramatta

PM Kitchens

Ripples-Leisure Centre

PMB Engineering Supplies

Rivergum Community Church

Shogun Martial Arts & Boxing Supplies

Stream Line Property Developments

Powerhouse Discovery Centre

Riverside Theatres

Powersound Car Audio

RKR Engineering

Precision Frames and Trusses

Roadmaster Canberra Pty Ltd

Prestige Designer Homes Pty Ltd

Rodeanas Café

Prime Projects & Interiors Pty Ltd

Rogue Valley Roasters Café

Printing Industries Association of Australia

Ronnies Pizza

Professional Development Centre SWAHS

Rooty Hill RSL - Kitchens Rose Conveyancing

Prompt Mower Service Pty Ltd

Rotary Club of Rouse Hill

Pure Telecom Pty Ltd

Rotary Club of Winston Hills

PVS St Mary’s

Rouse Hill Town Centre

Aus SIP

Royal Agricultural Society of NSW

Smith Hancock Chartered Accountants

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Street University - Entertainment

Short Order Long Black

Student Employment Options

Siemens Ltd

Subaru (Aust) Pty Ltd

Silks Brasserie

Subaru Aust Pty Limited

Silver Spur Steak Ranch

Subway Arndell Park

Silverdale Child Care Centre

Subway Shopsmart Zoe Place Mt Druitt

Simon’s Coffee Lounge Sinclair Ford SK Menswear Skills Savvy SMARTS Group Holdings Pty Ltd Smik Surf

Subway St Clair Subway St Marys Gt Western Hwy Subway St Marys Shopping Village Subway Woodcroft Super Cheap Auto

Education – 2013 Honour Roll Super Cheap Auto North Parramatta Super Cheap Auto North Parramatta Swiss Deli, Mermint Café Sydney Catchment Authority Sydney Employment Development Service (SEDS)

The Coffee Club, Nepean River

Travelscene Rouse Hill

The Coffee Emporium Blacktown

Treehouse Theatre Inc

The Coffee Emporium Parramatta Westfield

Trend Timbers

The Conservation Hut The Epicenter The Hatters Cafe

Sydney Harbour Marriott

The Heritage Terrace Café

Sydney Theatre Company

The Hills Community Aid

Sydney Water

The Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Resource Centre

Sydney West Area Health Services Sydney West Dance Festival Sydwest Multicultural Services Inc.

Trentinos on George Trevi Italian Ristorante True To The Bean TVS - Television Sydney Tyrepower Blacktown The Unimail Group

The Hills Local Area Command

The Lighthouse Project

United Service Station

The Mean Fiddler

University of Western Sydney

The Paragon Katoomba

Urban Apartments

The Pyjama Foundation

Wilkinsons Real Estate, Richmond Wilkinsons Real Estate, Windsor Windsor Animal Shelter Windsor High School Windsor Home Store Windsor RSL Winford Motors Winmalee Care Care Winmalee High School Wise Employment Wiseberry Prospect Wiseberry Thompson’s Wiseman’s Book Pty Ltd Woodfire Blacktown Woodford Homes Pty Ltd

The Reject Shop Blacktown

The Richmond Club

Valley Heights Smash Repairs

The Right Bite

Vees Café

The Royal Hotel, Springwood

Vetnetwork Australia

TAFE NSW Worldskills

The Salvation Army

Vibe Catering

TAFE South Western Sydney Institute

The Sebel Resort and Spa

Video Ezy Mt Druitt

The Wayzgoose Cafe Pty Ltd

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Feature

United We Stand Meeting local challenges head on while working collaboratively across Western Sydney is something that makes the Business Education Community Alliance an influential partnership. It covers an area that includes almost 45,000 secondary students in government, Catholic and independent schools as well as 1,350 students attending technical or further education.

“Kids are kids, they are wearing different uniforms and have different backgrounds but at the end of the day they have the same issues that prevail no matter what – they all come with their own challenges and opportunities,” says John Watters, Executive Officer of the Alliance’s Parramatta arm, the Australian Schools Industry Partnership (AusSIP). “We are three separate businesses but we have been able to cooperate and collaborate in a competitive environment to address issues that transcend borders. If more businesses and schools did the same thing, that’s when you’d see all the advantages.” The three member organisations – AusSIP, BREED and the Schools Industry Partnership (SIP) – have been working together informally for 15 years but legally formed an association to cement their collaboration four years ago. They train their staff together, including in occupational health and safety, risk management and child protection. Working with employers, the Alliance has been successful in creating a 32-page, full colour Student Work Placement Journal that is offered free to schools, replacing a diverse range of ad-hoc photocopied versions. The Journal helps to prepare Years 11 and 12 students for their placement with a business, and importantly, provides them with an effective way of capturing the key skills and insights they gain along the way. A prime example of the effectiveness of the Alliance is the success of the Western Sydney Apprenticeship and Traineeship Expo. This started out as a small event run by a few Western Sydney career advisers but is now the largest of its kind in NSW. The Expo’s leading partners are Apprenticepower, an organisation that specialises in traineeships and apprenticeships across Sydney; the Western Sydney Institute of TAFE; and the Nepean Careers Forum. The Expo will this year be staged at Penrith Panthers Exhibition Marquee on September 3. Exhibitors represent industry, individual businesses, group training companies and

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Practical fun at Try a Skill

A Western Sydney Apprenticeship and Traineeship Expo Hospitality Industry stand

registered training organisations who share career opportunities and pathways with more than 15,000 young people and their parents. The Expo also acts as a preliminary recruitment drive, with organisations collecting resumes from career seekers. SIP CEO Ian Palmer says the Expo works so well as it’s a night event where parents are encouraged to come along with their kids. “The mantra is ‘bring your resume, bring your pen, bring your parents’,” says Palmer. “Research shows about 80 per cent of young people seek out parents to have a conversation about what school subjects they should choose and what careers they should pursue. On the flipside, about 80 per cent of parents don’t feel prepared for these conversations – what the pathways are and what is out there today.” Another example of the Alliance’s positive impact

is the growth and success of Try A Skill, formerly known as Try a Trade, and most recently staged from June 24 to 25. In this huge twoday event, thousands of high school students are bussed in to Kevin Betts Stadium, Mt Druitt, from all over Sydney. Employers and TAFE teachers offer students practical activities in a wide range of skills including welding, hair dressing, beauty, IT, nursing, spray painting and child care.

A study conducted by AusSIP of 3,000 students who attended Try a Skill over three years, revealed 87 per cent of students had an increased understanding of the world of work, while 86 per cent indicated the event improved their career planning. Try a Skill has the added bonus of inspiring and re-engaging young people who have left the school system early. BREED Managing Director Stephen Frost says the positive impact of major events that target young people is a testament to the success of business and community partnerships. “We have different backgrounds and qualifications but we have the same underlying desire to help young people,” Frost says. “By combining the best of what we have all got, it has to be good for the kids.” G

Feature

Linking the Key Players A major part of the Alliance’s work is running the School Business Community Partnership Brokers program along with more than 100 other providers across Australia. In the recent Federal Budget it was announced the Program had been extended for another 12 months. This follows a recent evaluation report which shows that for every $1 invested by the Government, partnership brokers have been the catalyst for up to $5.50 of created social value.

One successful initiative organised by SIP for Cranebrook High School has been the Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) which involves the school executive, teachers, parents, businesses and community members. Modelled on a proven US program, ATP goals include enhancing student learning and promoting student retention and engagement. “Maths Deadlys” has been a highly-successful ATP project designed to develop the numeracy skills of young Indigenous students from local partner primary schools. Staged for the first time at Cranebrook High in September last year, a second event was held earlier this year and

schools, the community and business. “They are such fun days of exciting numeracy activities, electronic buzzers, prizes, balloons and all sorts of wonderful things for the students to see maths as interesting and important,” Summerhayes says. “Our high school students ran the competition and helped to tutor the younger children leading up to the events. It is one of those wonderful celebrations connecting communities together. We had parents getting involved who had never come near a school since their own schooling.” G

Participating Maths Deadlys school students, principals and parents celebrate a successful first event

Young Maths Deadlys competitors in action

The Program’s goals include achieving 90 per cent Year 12 attainment by 2015 or the vocational equivalent; closing the gap for the Indigenous population; social inclusion (for refugees and other socially-marginalised groups); and addressing skills shortages. Schools Industry Partnership (SIP) CEO Ian Palmer says the Alliance concentrates its energy on “where there is the greatest need”, including some school populations with substantial socio and economic challenges that may only be achieving 50 per cent Year 12 attainment.

several more interschool activities are planned. Cranebrook High School Principal Deb Summerhayes says the University of Western Sydney has been very supportive of the project and is helping to seek funding to expand it nationally. She says the Maths Deadlys is a great show of camaraderie among seven

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Feature

Rebuilding Connections Students who are struggling to stay engaged in school are being targeted in a highly-successful program funded by the NSW Department of Education and Communities. The Independent Employment Adviser (IEA) program involves taking a group of 15-20 “at risk” Year 9 to 12 high school students offsite from a selection of schools.

BREED Managing Director Stephen Frost says one of the key advantages of the IEA program is the fact it involves both group work and oneon-one case management. This dual approach assists students to re-engage in the school environment or make a smooth transition into alternative education and training, or employment. “The program’s success is also down to the team member delivering it, having the right staff to empathise with the kids who are

realise and understand what they need to do to ensure future success, whether this is to complete their HSC or pursue alternate pathways as they move confidently into the workforce,” she says. Cranebrook High School Principal Deb Summerhayes says the impact of a recent IEA program – the “Bricks and Block” course, was incredible for her students. “A trained brickie worked with a group of boys over two days,” she says. “They built a garden and a barbeque area for

Students enjoying the IEA program’s “Bricks and Block” course

The young people learn the value of team work and communication skills through hands-on activities, while also exploring career interests and apprenticeship and traineeship options. Helping students see the relevance between school and work is one of the program’s key goals, as is helping them with resume and portfolio preparation and transition plans.

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

participating,”says Frost. “Having smaller groups you can have personal relationships with the kids and really relate to them.” Glenwood High School has embraced the IEA program over a number of years with Principal Erla McMaster saying it enables students to reconnect with their own goals and future pathways. “We’ve found after the students have taken part they

the school and even the disengaged Year 10 boys who don’t enjoy school that much, were going home and talking to their mums and dads about how great school was. A number of those boys are now interested in pursuing a career in that area. That kind of stuff is worth its weight in gold for our students.” G

Feature

From Disengaged to A Budding Entrepreneur At his first high school Thomas struggled to find relevance in what he was learning, feeling disconnected from his lessons and teachers. Unfortunately the same scenario was played out at his new school. Last year the Year 10 Evans High School student was referred to the Independent Employment Adviser program, meeting with other students once a week for a period of ten weeks.

Thomas and his peers learned about employability skills and their individual strengths and weaknesses. They also worked together to create a plan for career pathways including learning interview techniques, and resume and personal presentation. “The goal is to re-engage the students through leadership training, teach them to work within a team and to build relationships,” says Stephen

Frost from BREED. “After working with Thomas and building a strong bond with him, we set out to make changes in his cooperation with his teachers and fellow students, which was successful. Thomas has strong leadership qualities which were identified early on. He wasn’t using his strengths in a positive way and was distancing himself from the general student population.” Once he completed the IEA program, Thomas was kept engaged and continued with his positive learning experiences by participating in the ANZ Young Entrepreneurs Program. Facilitated by Partnership Brokers, this program teaches students key business skills with the assistance and coaching from ANZ managers. Thomas’ team appointed him team leader of the “Kings Car Wash “micro business where he was responsible for writing business plans, sourcing cleaning materials and managing the business. He took his responsibilities very seriously and teachers soon saw a different side to him. “Thomas knew he wanted to continue his education whilst also working doing something

with his hands,” says Frost. “He decided to focus his interests and try refrigeration mechanics.” A week’s work experience was organised for Thomas with a local refrigeration mechanic. He impressed his host employer to such an extent he was offered an apprenticeship for 2013. The IEA program also offered Thomas and his peers help with: • Employer expectations • Communication skills • Teamwork • Industry work placement • HSC schooling options • VET and TVET options • Mentoring • School-based apprenticeship and traineeship options • Introductions to in-school support including careers advisors, councillors, the welfare team, homework groups and tutoring • Project-based learning G

IEA Tour of Mt Druitt TAFE 2012

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Feature

EDUCATION-BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS: WHAT’S IN IT FOR EVERYONE? Q: How valuable is it for schools to partner with businesses to help prepare students for the transition from school to work, training or further study?

CHRISTINE CAWSEY: A: It’s invaluable. For many young people school doesn’t have a lot of relevance. A lot of them struggle to see the meaningfulness for what they’re doing. They live very adult lives outside of school for lots of social reasons – it’s a very low SES community with a lot of fractured families. The students have to then turn up to school and fit into the school community which can be a challenge. Finding ways to connect them with the adult world keeps them in education. It also helps us buck the State trends with our results. For example, we have more Aboriginal students who complete the HSC, get traineeships and go out into the world of work. We’re doing something right. My experience after 15 years here, is that a school-business partnership isn’t only about the student transitioning, that’s a critical one, but in fact the relationship can be built before that. For instance our school has a program called SALSA which stands for Students as Lifestyle Activists. It’s funded by the NAB Schools First grant. We’ve received a number of other grants over the years including our AFL Indigenous Academy. It’s a great program and ended up leading to our relationship with the Giants Football Club. Through BREED we now have two boys doing school-based traineeships with the Giants. If you want to give people in the community a view of what 21st century schooling is like, there are no better ambassadors than our young people who are working in industry as part of their school learning and beyond. DEB SUMMERHAYES: A: Business-education partnerships are absolutely vital. We believe it takes a village to raise a child and if we are truly talking about educating people to be contributing members of 21st century society we need to have all the stakeholders working together to best support young people, particularly getting them ready for life after school. Actually making the curriculum relevant, and connecting what

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

students are learning in the classroom to the skills they will need in the future, is really important. This is the start of my seventh year as principal and I’ve been involved in business partnerships over that time. It has evolved into a very important part of our school now. Our relationship with the Schools Industry Partnership particularly over the past two years has led to our Action Team for Partnerships which is a group made up of parents, the community, businesses and outside agencies who support the Cranebrook community. We meet regularly and talk about special projects for the school and how to involve business more in different activities we want to do with our students. That has been incredibly successful for a school environment which doesn’t traditionally get a big take-up from our parent body. When you have those successes celebrated and acknowledged people actually see the benefit of getting more involved in the school. ERLA MCMASTER: A: We know the business community wants people to come into the workforce with solid 21st century skills – to think critically, to be creative, collaborative and to have good communication skills. In the classroom we focus on developing these skills in students. When this focus is validated by members of the business community it reinforces the relevance of what we do in the classroom. Our curriculum is moving towards the reliance upon project-based learning. This enables students to become involved in a design project where they work in groups to undertake ‘real-life tasks’. When the business community becomes involved it adds another significant dimension to the students’ learning. It gives them further impetus to give their absolute best effort to impress those from the wider community. In many ways students truly value the assessment from the business community as it enriches their understanding of the real world. Having someone from the workforce or in a business assessing their work also authenticates what teachers and students are doing in the classroom. I think it is invaluable feedback for our students and also gives them the opportunity to experience the workplace first hand.

Q: In what ways can businesses help schools and students? CHRISTINE CAWSEY: A: One of the ways I think businesses can help school students – certainly the kids in Western Sydney – is just by giving a kid a go. That’s why the relationship with a school or a group of schools is so critical because once an employer has had success with one school, they’re often willing to come back to that same school and say “look we have some opportunities for young people and we’d like to give you another offer”. Businesses can help schools by being open in their ideas on what young people can bring to the table from a diversity of backgrounds and also helping the kids with mentoring. I’m not sure most businesses realise that most principals are running a medium-sized enterprise. I’ve got a hundred staff on site everyday and all of the things that go with that. Where business can be helpful is to recognise the skill set particularly of the people leading the school but the other part is to be open. For example “how do you do that because this is how we do it, does that work for you?” I think establishing reciprocity is one of the things that can be most useful because everyone has something to learn from each other. DEB SUMMERHAYES: A: We actually have a five-year relationship with the Australian Broadcasting Commission. The ABC project allows people from the ABC – from the person who cleans the floors through to the general manager – to actually come in and speak to our kids about the work they do and the preparation they need to do at school to be workready. There are work experience opportunities but we also have some people from the ABC, often very well known people, who will come out and give lectures and tutorials to teachers and students around particular areas. Peter Longman, for example, who’s a very famous sports journalist, now one of the managers in the ABC, has a great relationship with our school. He comes a couple of times each year and gives workshops for students and teachers on how to interview and tips on the sorts of jobs students might be interested in that can use those skills.

Feature

CHRISTINE CAWSEY Principal Rooty Hill High School

ERLA MCMASTER Principal Glenwood High School

We have a project on at the moment where we have a retired television producer from Compass and Four Corners, Peter Dunn. He comes in and talks to kids about filmmaking, using the medium our kids use such as iPhone 4. The students have chosen a person who works at the ABC and are making a film about their job, a sort of a “day in the life”. We’ve got cameramen, Juanita Phillips from the newsroom – a variety of people. Eight films are going to be shared with schools across the country so if you are interested in this job, this is what the person’s day looks like and it’s our kids that are doing it. We have students from Year 7 through to Year 12 involved.

match a student in Year 11 with somebody in the workforce in an area of their interest. Once a month the mentors have breakfast with the students at the school. For an hour they sit and talk about opportunities, how to set goals, how to develop skills and to realise their potential to ensure future success. The mentors and students are trained by the staff running the program so they can make the most of their time together.

Last year our construction kids worked with Laing O’Rourke over a number of weeks where they designed and built a community garden in the wider Cranebrook community. We had engineers, builders, all those heavyweights from Laing O’Rourke coming in and working with our kids. At the end of it, one of our boys was actually offered a traineeship, and the students, teacher and the Laing O’Rourke respresentatives involved in the construction won an award. ERLA MCMASTER: A: Businesses support schools and students in a variety of ways. The opportunity to experience the workforce before the end of school helps students consolidate their understanding of workplace expectations and gives particular insight into professions of interest to them. Similarly, businesses offer support through sponsorship and mentoring which adds value to the community and creates a sense of belonging. Glenwood High School has developed partnerships with the industry around us, particularly as we’re very close to the Norwest Business Park. We are developing relationships with Woolworths, which sponsors some of our sporting teams. Similarly, the Outback Steakhouse is wonderful in providing sponsorship and allowing students to work with them. Another great partnership which started this year, with the help of AusSIP, is the Community Mentoring Program which has already been very successful at a neighbouring school. The program taps into the community and enables you to

Q: What advantages are there for businesses (both employers and employees) to partner with schools? CHRISTINE CAWSEY: A: One of the things that businesses themselves get out of the engagement is a real understanding of where young people are at as opposed to how the media only seem to portray adolescents as two things – either victims or perpetrators. The perplexity of a young person today is rarely understood. The more business engages with young people, the more they see how wonderful they actually are which I think gives great hope for the future. One of the partnerships our school has is with one of the big law firms and we have 40 students being mentored. They just do it for 12 months and when it’s over they have a mentor in a legal firm with whom they can talk openly with about their plans and goals. The students also get to have that experience of travelling to the city. We’re in the tenth year of this program and one of the things lawyers say to us, is they really feel they are helping the students and giving back to the community. When our young people go to work or are in traineeships and someone’s teaching them what to do and mentoring them, that person is also reviewing, refining and reflecting on their own skill set which is a benefit to the organisation as well. For a company, it can also be another recruitment strategy. I’m always amazed at the number of students offered employment directly as a result of work placement or work experience relationships. DEB SUMMERHAYES: A: People who come in and work with our kids are quite amazed by the experience and often say

DEB SUMMERHAYES Principal Cranebrook High School

things like “I so enjoyed speaking to these young people. It gave me such a sense of satisfaction to actually be able to enhance their knowledge, give some direction and help a child focus on what it is they may or may not want to do”. They also may say to a student “You know what mate, don’t go mucking around in that class. You told me you wanted to be a carpenter but mate I had to do this level of maths”. Those conversations are very powerful because they’re not coming from a teacher, they’re coming from someone in the field. So many times I read in the media about employers complaining that schools don’t prepare kids for the world of work, and schools don’t do this and that but I think everyone has a responsibility. Employers need to tell us what they are looking for in employees – the sorts of things they want employees to be able to do and how we can make sure our students are work-ready. With our partnership with Laing O’Rourke we had a lot of disengaged boys in that construction class but they ended up turning up in their work readiness uniforms ready to go and these men were like, “this is great – we actually feel like we’re making a difference in a child’s life”. ERLA MCMASTER: A: Businesses benefit through school partnerships as they are able to develop a more realistic understanding of the tremendous potential of today’s youth. When working with teenagers they are able to identify the strengths of that particular generation and tap into their skills. At Glenwood High School we run Australian Business Week every year for Year 10. Students work in groups to design and market a product based on a theme or a common idea. Businesses share marketing techniques and business plans whilst helping develop work-related skills. The businesses then return at the end of the week to judge student designs and marketing skills during a Trade Show display. It’s valuable for business to be able to see the talent amongst the students as well as develop their own mentoring skills. This empowers the business industry as they ‘give back’ to the community. They work towards building the society of tomorrow with the youth of today. The business world can support schools by creating a real audience for students to

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Feature

demonstrate their skills of creativity, innovation and collaboration.

right people that allowed us to make sure this girl had a great opportunity.

Q: How has your local Work Placement service provider and Partnership Broker benefited your school?

ERLA MCMASTER: A: The strongest partnership we have is with AusSIP – they are a fantastic body. They provide all the services schools do not have the time to access. Teachers are very busy. They have to focus on the educational program we are working on all the time; we have the content of the syllabus to get through; and we don’t have the resources or staff to go out and source all of these different experiences for the students.

CHRISTINE CAWSEY: A: Much of what happens is because BREED shows our school there’s an opportunity and they encourage everyone to give it a go. They have been a wonderful workplace service provider. It’s such a benefit for schools to not have to go out and find all of their own workplace opportunities for students. They provide those links with industry for you – that’s a fantastic partnership. I was pretty amazed at the number of people who have already written to me to say how happy they were that funding is continuing for the School Business Community Partnership Brokers program. BREED also has an Independent Employment Advisor Service and they generally work with reasonably “at risk” kids. They currently help a small group of our kids, about 10 students in Year 10, who spend one day a fortnight with them. DEB SUMMERHAYES: A: The Schools Industry Partnership (SIP) has been outstanding. I was overjoyed when I heard they had received funding in the Federal Budget for another 12 months. They’ve helped us build those bridges to business because as an educator it’s not an easy leap for me to knock on someone’s door or call to say who I am. As well as brokering those partnerships, the SIP team has also come in and assisted us with writing submissions to get funding for projects and they also work with our kids and teachers. It’s been a great way for us to build our skills and also the confidence of my staff. It’s not just me working with SIP, my staff know the people who support our school really well and they can ring and say, “I’m thinking of this project, I’m thinking of this class, I’m thinking of this kid. What do I do next?”. For example, I didn’t know how to connect this wonderful girl who has amazing skills with someone who works in the science profession at a high level. SIP was vital in connecting me with the

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

I can’t stress enough how much we value the support, the knowledge and advice AusSIP

provides and that’s particularly with our VET courses which are run within the school. They organise the work placements for us which is something that would require extra resources and energy within the school which we don’t have. AusSIP have the contacts within the business community and they have an understanding of how businesses work, so they can easily link particular students with particular organisations. For students in our Hospitality and IT Services VET courses, AusSIP finds them a work placement and looks after them. To have that extra backstop from someone who understands the industry, the student and the schooling environment, is a wonderful service. G

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BENEFIT? If you are interested in entering into a partnership or offering your expertise in any way, please contact your local Partnership Broker: BREED - Education, Employment & Economic Development Servicing the Blacktown Region P: 02 9853 3200 E: info@breed.org.au W: www.breed.org.au

Aus SIP

explore.inspire.engage

AusSIP - Australian Schools Industry Partnership Servicing Parramatta and Hills area P: 02 9633 7100 E: john.watters@aussip.com.au W: www.aussip.com.au SIP - Schools Industry Partnership Servicing the Penrith, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains areas P: 02 4725 0310 E: info@schoolsindustry.com.au W: www.schoolsindustry. Alternatively, you can find a partnership broker at www.transitions.youth.gov.au/sites/transitions

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Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Business Advice

Turn Your Customer Complaints into Business Benefits Cathy Krimmer - TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute (WSI)

Recently I read an article on why difficult customers are good for business, and was struck by the great service that dissatisfied customers can provide to corporations.

Unlike the happy customers who will not tell you about your business faults, difficult customers speak up about flaws in your products, processes or services and provide you with an opportunity for improvement. Some companies pay a fortune to evaluate the effectiveness of their business but here are some people who will let you know what’s not working for free (perhaps with the odd ear-bashing).

Anticipate adversity It is possible to learn to anticipate when things are bothering our customers before the situation has a chance to explode. Just like the stitch in time which saves nine, make it a priority to respond to subtle cues before they escalate. Commence a conversation Where possible, complaints should be dealt with in person, either face-to-face or over the phone. This allows for the clearest communication on both sides and the personal touch goes a long way to defusing anger.

Converting a customer from difficult to devoted is especially important when you consider the power of social media to air an individual’s grievances or to project unsolicited praise. Cranky customers make interesting status updates and tweets, but so do positive patrons.

Listen and learn Using reflective listening skills, repeat back to the customer what you have understood is the problem. This is an important communication technique that not only acknowledges the problem but also gives the customer a chance to clarify any details.

Our Marketing and Financial Services teacher Rhonda Lee tells me that dealing with difficult customers is a key component in the Institute’s Retail Services qualifications. Students undertake training in retail because they are either currently working in the Retail industry and are looking to gain a qualification related to it or are interested in seeking work in the retail sector in entry level positions.

Apologise and appreciate It may not be your fault but by apologising at the outset you will show that you acknowledge there is a problem and that getting it right matters. An example of an apology could be “I’m sorry to hear that you have had difficulties with…” At the end of the conversation, remember to thank the customer for taking the trouble to bring the issue to your attention.

When students learn how to deal with customer conflicts they learn a fine craft which includes the interpersonal skills of communication and negotiation. As it is between six and seven times more expensive to acquire a new customer than to keep a current one, the results of how complaints are dealt with have a major impact upon the bottom line. Here are some tips.

Placate peacefully Remember that it is much cheaper to quickly provide a refund or to apologise than to deal with the repercussions of unhappy customers. If the issue needs to be taken to someone else, be clear that you are unable to resolve it yourself, then get on to finding an answer from someone else as soon as possible.

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Retail managers must decide on a case-by-case basis when to step in and take over from the employee. They should always intervene if the customer is not merely difficult, but abusive. It is important that the manager handle the situation in a way that does not make the employee appear incompetent, while explaining to the customer that the employee has been following store policies. Retailers know that some customers will be difficult no matter what, so employees need to be reminded not to take customer difficulties personally. However, helping customers is part of many employees’ jobs and their attitude should always be one of providing help as best he or she can.

It seems that far from being a nuisance, complainers are a beacon of light amid an inky sea. American statistics estimate that for every customer who complains, 26 are aware of the problem and yet stay silent. Perhaps they vote with their feet instead. If their issue is resolved, the ones who speak up will do business with you again 70% of the time, yet 91% of unhappy customers will not make a repeat purchase with you.

When interacting with customers, employees at times need to walk a fine line between following company regulations and meeting customer needs. Customers may ask for something which cannot be provided. At these times you will need to draw upon your negotiation skills while treading within the boundaries that have been set.

Customers can indeed at times provide challenges for businesses and individual employees. But by dealing skilfully with their issues, your business can not only turn them into loyal customers, but smooth out many of the bumps for your other customers. G

1. Walsh D, ‘Why difficult customers are good for business’, The Pulse, MYOB Technology Pty Ltd.

For more information about Retail Services training, please contact Rhonda on 9715 8177.

TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute (WSI) p | 02 9715 8177 e | rhonda.lee@tafensw.edu.au w | wsi.tafensw.edu.au

You don’t need to be a

superhero t o change

the world

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela

G e t k n ow l e d g e Get skills Get equipped mywsi.com.au 131 870 Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Feature

Real Estate: Warning! Angelo Lambropoulos - Director, ScanMe Realty

Why is it, real estate agents doorknock at your personal oasis - the family home, seemingly to ‘preach’ that they have a professional and honest reputation? Who are they trying to convince, us or themselves? There is something very wrong here! I always thought businesses that do the right thing by consumers can let ‘word-ofmouth’ and ‘smart marketing’ do the talking for them! Knocking on doors to convince me of their honesty and integrity sends signals of danger and desperation somehow!

So standing on a chilly winter threshold, the agent on behalf of the agency claims they have been around for years and have a great reputation? Perhaps you should offer them free advice on how to do business professionally and ethically. There is every evidence to suggest that the word ‘reputation’ has very little meaning when they are standing on your door-step having to tell you about it. The words ‘trust’, ‘professional’ and ‘reputable’ in real estate are exactly that, ‘Words!’ Talk is cheap, ask for Facts! Again, ask an independent user of the service, not the person that wants your business! I’m yet to see a bad resumé, although I have seen many great resumés that aren’t worth the paper they’re written on, once they are put into practice. Tip: Door knocking is rude and arrogant, don’t buy it, nor should you do it (unless it truly is a sincere act of giving – e.g. Charity and helping the less fortunate). There are much more effective and respectful ways to go about this. Real estate agents need to think outside the square! Real Eyes, Realise, Real Lies! Why do you have to be locked in to a 3 month contract in order to have your home sold? Does it really take a quarter of a year to find the right buyer, or does that quarter of a year serve as a lead generator for real estate agents? Would you buy a car simply on trust?, or would you rather test drive before you buy? I’m assuming you would prefer to test drive it first! If so, why not give the agent ‘1 month’ as opposed to ‘3 months’ to prove their worth? You then have the option of extending the contract if you’re satisfied. Good

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

luck trying to get out of a contract if they were to say; “Let’s just put down 3 months and see how we go” – You can kiss all your flexibility as the customer goodbye. You may also hear something like; “Mr & Mrs Seller, it will be hard to find the right buyer at the right price within the space of a month.” Tip: The only person that wins from the standard agency agreement is the agent. If the agent tries to fool you into believing that 1 month is unrealistic, I would also suggest listing with them is unrealistic. A property on the market for more than 2 months is destined to look like there’s something wrong with it!. The golden rule: Your house, your call! Money Making Machines Home-sellers, do any of the following statements sound familiar?... • Real estate agent…“You need to be realistic with your pricing expectations, that’s why it’s not selling.” More likely…: It’s not the market that’s the problem, it’s the agent. Why don’t they spend more time focusing on the right buyer, at the right price, as opposed to focusing on the lowest price you are willing to accept? Now that is what I call unrealistic. Besides, usually the price that it’s on the market for is the price that the agent has agreed it’s worth! (In order to get the listing) • Real estate agent…“The best way to begin the marketing campaign is by obtaining buyer feedback with no-price guide.” Question… Are you sure you employed a real estate professional? They call themselves professionals, yet they still can’t put a price on your home? Haven’t they been doing this for years? Think about this for a second, is it really your home that’s the problem (be honest) or is the agent not telling you the whole truth? Think back to when you were a buyer looking for a suitable property, the best way to jeopardise any chance of achieving the highest price for your property is by turning away genuine buyers; ‘No price on a property’ campaigns will do just that – ask anyone you know looking to a buy a home for their honest feedback.

Can someone also please explain to me how a property carries a ‘Just Listed’ price tag (if you could call it that) for such long periods in the newspapers and on the web? I’ve seen better techniques labelled as ‘false advertising!’ Real estate agent…. “We have top spots in all key advertising portals to really get your property noticed.” Tip: Oh please, really? Now here is the true test …Can that promise be delivered to you, so that that no money comes out of your pocket? Let the agent prove to you they really want to help you, not themselves. If they claim it’s for their selfpromotion and you pay for it, then I could get my head around that, at least they were honest! Do you pay a mechanic upfront and ‘hope’ they fix your car? Do you pay a real estate agent upfront and ‘hope’ they sell your house? I sincerely ‘hope’ not, for the sake of your hardearned property. Have you ever considered selling your own home? Is it too hard, or are you led to believe it’s too hard? There may be some merit in perhaps researching this furthermore, you never know, it may be a suitable option! G Should you require any further assistance or free consultation to clarify any present concerns, please contact me at a time that best suits you, I’m always happy to help!

ScanMe Realty Pty Ltd p | 02 9653 9200 e | info@scanmerealty.com.au

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PUBLISHER’S CHOICE

Publisher’s Choice

Bella Vista H

Bella indeed...

The New South Wales Suburb of Bella Vista is located 33 kilometres north-west of the Sydney Central Business District, in the local government area of the The Hills Shire.

IS H E BL R

At the heart of most communities is the ‘pub’ the place where people gather to discuss the weather, the economy, and to celebrate and commiserate. The Bella Vista Hotel is no different in those respects today, but times have changed nevertheless. No longer at the centre of a farming community, the Bella Vista Hotel can only be described as a worldclass venue.

’S

Originally Bella Vista was a citrus-growing property owned by the Pearce family. Since 1950 when the property was sold, significant changes have become apparent as it now incorporates a residential area and a busy and fast-growing business district.

From a cosmopolitan weekday lunch and dinner venue to a thriving hotspot for locals on the weekend, Bella Vista Hotel is a destination that reflects the fact that The Hills District is now seriously ‘on the map’, and starting to show the way in so many global business circles.

HOICE

Our publisher Dmitry Greku and companion for the occasion, photographer Francesca Surace received an invitation from Bella Vista Hotel’s marketing consultant Daniela Divic, to inspect

Bella Vista Hotel layout

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

the facilities, and to enjoy a business lunch. The hotel is beautifully appointed. The decor is original in style and every area presents a pleasant visual surprise on a first visit. Dmitry reports that “the interior is amazing ... all areas are different, so you can’t say that the design is in any particular style. It’s all there it’s tasteful but not over-done” The layout features an array of private booths and banquettes, cosy lounge areas and an open-plan courtyard. The Hotel can cater for social gatherings from ten to four hundred people. The informal dining environment is ideal for small to large groups on the go and for those happy to linger over a long lunch or dinner. The team manages to offer ‘everything from casual drinks with friends, to café-style meals and cocktail receptions. The beautifully appointed boardroom is a particularly impressive facility with space for up to 20 guests. It’s ideal for board meetings, seminars, strategic planning and team building. It’s also a great private dining area for both corporate and social occasions. It’s fully equipped with all the latest audio-visual equipment. To her delight, Francesca discovered that the Head Chef is Italian too... Joe Cavallo presented them with a variety of selections from the menus of both the Café and the Bistro.

PUBLISHER’S CHOICE

Great place to enjoy a business lunch

The beautifully appointed boardroom

Sharon says “In creating this wine list I wanted to reflect diversity. In addition to representing the classic styles and regions of Australia, I also included a few of the more unusual and quirky varieties produced in both Australia and internationally”.

One of private booths They began with Crab Linguini with Alaskan king crab, lemon chilli and parsley. A taste of slow-braised Wagyu beef cheeks followed with cannellini bean and Chorizo ragu. The Italian bacon pizza was something special too, with tomato, fior di latte, pancetta, roasted pumpkin, peanuts and fetta.

It seems there’s something to please all palates from the sweet-tooth to the lover of robust reds, and everything in between including organically produced wines and a great selection of boutique beers. Over coffee, Daniela explained that breakfast business meetings are becoming more and more popular as a result Bella Vista Hotel is launching weekend breakfast for families to enjoy from 6th July. Chef Joe Cavallo’s concept to meet the need was to create a unique organic

breakfast experience ... a menu that focuses on pure fresh natural produce including everything from free range eggs to organic bacon, crusty ‘artisan’ bread, handcrafted butter and freshsqueezed juice combinations. A great way to start a busy business day or to bring your family on weekends. If you would like to know more, we can recommend the Bella Vista Hotel website (bellavistahotel.com.au). It’s as stylish as the decor in the hotel and just as easy to find your way around. It includes coming events and menus and there’s plenty of information about social and business functions. Has anyone see Dmitry by the way? ... Is he still at lunch? G

From the Café menu came the desserts... Dmitry and Francesca enjoyed a Nutella slice and Vanilla custard Cannoli and agreed that the servings were generous and the presention first-class. Francesca’s pictures are mouth-watering!.. The wine list at The Bella Vista Hotel is as you would expect... Special. Sharon Wild is a wine educator and expert speaker who specialises in demystifying the world of wine through her business ‘Wild About Wine’.

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Society & Life

Crime and Punishment Angry Anderson

How and why do we get it so wrong? How did it come to this? Why is this happening? How is it that the criminals seem to be winning? Why is there more emphasis on what’s in the criminal’s best interests than in looking after the victims of crime? Why do criminals receive such light sentences for serious crimes? Why does bullying go unpunished in our schools? What is wrong with our Judiciary System?

How often have you heard one or all of these questions asked at a dinner table or at some sporting function where you get the chance to rub shoulders and communicate with your fellow Australians? These are commonly asked questions these days and we need to ask why? The simple explanation is; that’s the way many of us see it, so that’s the way it appears to be. We read in the newspapers daily and see it on television news nightly that yet another tragedy has taken place; lives have been lost, families have been shattered and committed to mourn the loss of a loved one. What is truly irksome is to read some time later that the offender, the person responsible, has gone to court and pled diminished responsibility! Even worse, that their lawyer has manipulated the law somehow to either get them off or allow them to receive a light sentence for a crime that you and I feel should be taken more seriously. I have long been a supporter of trying to keep young juvenile offenders out of mainstream gaol, especially if their offence is not serious. I feel we need to keep in mind that they need to be punished in a way that will teach them the error of their ways but also try and add something positive to their lives.

of passion, but the majority of offences are premeditated in some way. Let me say this. It is my opinion that far too many young people are in the gaol system for crimes that do not warrant a harsh sentence. Time spent behind bars with hardened criminals all too often serves only to harden the young person against law and order and turn them away from trying to pursue a crime-free life free. We are only creating more problems for them and for ourselves, the greater community.

Remember always that according to the experts a pedophile is never cured. They will always be an abuser of children, destroyers of innocence, the murderers of young lives. They deserve to rot in prison. They do not deserve to walk freely, as you and I do, through normal civilised society. Diminished responsibility! What a crock of S**T! I feel for the families of victims of road accidents, the result of excessive drinking or drug taking but I do not have sympathy for the one who drove the car or motorcycle that did the damage.

We all recognise the need for an ordered society so it follows that the punishment should fit the crime. Responsibility must be taken, both by the offender and we, the society. However, we all recognise the need for an ordered society so it follows that the punishment should fit the crime. Responsibility must be taken, both by the offender and we, the society. Therein lies the dilemma for many of us, does the punishment fit the crime? It seems, as I have said, that in far too many instances, this is not the case. I applaud the efforts of the Ray Hadleys of the radio world for their efforts in constantly bringing to our attention the grossly inadequate sentences that too many criminals receive. Ray Hadley, a broadcaster on 2GB, won my vote with his dogged style of pursuing the bad guys. When he turned his energies to highlighting the evil of pedophiles, I became a devotee. As a survivor of childhood abuse, I was so glad that someone of influence was brave enough to champion this cause and highlight the total inadequacy of our legal system in dealing with the perpetrators. The other champion that needs to be applauded for his tireless work against the putrid evil of pedophile is the ‘Human Headline’, Mr Derryn Hynch.

If you choose to drink and drive and you injure or kill someone then you and you alone are responsible for that act and you must pay for the consequences of your stupidity because many others are going to suffer because of you and your crime. Many of us have had a less than ideal start to life or we’ve had it tough throughout our lives but most of us don’t fall back on that when the going gets tough. We soldier on because that’s what is expected of us by ourselves and others, family members and friends and the community at large. We have a right, I believe, to expect most people to do just that, soldier on and not make endless excuses for those too lazy or weak to shoulder their own responsibilities. It weakens us and eventually it erodes the very fabric of our society. There is more I would like to say but I will wait until next time. Until then go your way as peacefully as you can and cause no intentional harm to anyone. I remain your friend,..Angry.

In many cases they have offended because of some trauma in their lives that they have not been able to address. I emphasise that this cannot be used as an excuse to treat their offences lightly. The decision to do wrong is not always a conscious decision, for example in crimes

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

Some people never recover from the attack of a pedophile with the loss of their childhood and the subsequent dysfunction that they must endure for the rest of their lives. We so often see instances where the punishment does not give the victim justice.

Follow Angry on Twitter. @angry_angrytat

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 56 | July 2013

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