Manjimup Community Resource Centre

Response:

Yes, not all industry is represented by a Peak Body, or Industry Body. The implementation of this would be hugely beneficial to bring employment under a streamlined and representational model that would provide much better information to Government. At present these bodies must be created by an individual and is hugely costly and difficult to meet compliance and regulation requirements. The function could be undertaken by the leading Chamber of Commerce and Industry body in each state, which would strengthen their memberships and provide relevant information to Government and back to employers.

Response:

Simplification of an already complicated system must be at the heart of any work undertaken. Employers are struggling to meet compliance and regulation obligations and there are far to many layers of government beaurecracy. For this to be successful it has to focus on removing the duplication in the existing system, and get right down to grass roots level to understand the difficulties small business is having in accessing needed employees, retaining those employees and ensuring productivity is improved. That means decision makes must demonstrably show that that consultation is occurring and that the information being provided by employers is being considered, particularly in the area of curriculum development and relevance to employers. This skills shortage has occurred because of failures in the system that do not demonstrate to students the practical application for learning, which then means employers, particularly in the trade sector, but more often being seen in other sectors, have to re-educate employees, creating an enormous burden that could be avoided by education being more responsive to the needs of the local environment, not a one size fits all approach.

Response:

As discussed in the first two questions, the development of Industry peak bodies through a streamlined system would ensure that the information is collected efficiently. Employers, particularly at the moment with the current skills shortage situation do not have the time to engage, especially when much of the communication is directed at scholastically well educated people. As outlined in previous answers, many of the employers in primary industries, manufacturing etc in smaller businesses did not receive a good education and struggle with english and enunciation, which are required to provide information to programs such as this. This is a key role of our Community Resource Centre, where we are providing ever increasing assistance to people trying to engage in regulatory processes, often with difficulty even for us. Interestingly, we used to host Politicians of all persuasions on a regular basis collecting information from that grass roots level, but this has diminished significantly. They should be the ones engaging and providing more relevant information through these processes, which ensures that programs developed are responsive to the needs of community!!

Response:

Once again, this is a very important question in terms of delivery. As outlined previously, there needs to be a deep understanding of all facets of employment as it is much easier for corporate entities to engage and provide information, which is not relevant to smaller businesses, or regional employers. Even peak bodies need to demonstrate that they are gathering information from all the different facets of employment. Smaller businesses tend to be much more innovative, but at the same time operate in silos as they don't have the ability to engage and provide information that could potentially provide solutions for other employers. Traditionally local Chambers of Commerce were excellent conduits for this information, which was then provided to Regional CCI's, who had the ability to engage with higher organisations. In our area the CCI is struggling to engage with businesses and undertake that pivotal role. A focus on strengthening them and providing resources to provide this service would be very beneficial.

Response:

A detailed study of the different facets of employment, with the emphasis on detailed would be advantageous. Until Jobs and Skills Australia understand this fully, it will be extremely difficult to develop any meaningful strategies.
The information provided in the previous answers also details a number of issues that need to be addressed.
Another problem is the delivery of training in regional areas. A centralised and broad approach is not working. If you take the TAFE system for instance, it still delivers a centralised service requiring apprentices to travel every week to attend a classroom based model. This service could be delivered far more efficiently in the workplace, with employers delivering that training. This would increase productivity, address skills shortages and reduced the beaurecratical burden on businesses. There are many areas where workplace compliance could be reduced, which increases productivity and addresses skills shortages.

Response:

By developing relationships with Chambers of Commerce and existing peak bodies and developing new peak bodies for those not represented, ensuring the information collected by these organisations reflects 
ALL the different facets of industry. By developing a comprehensive plan identifying ALL the different facets of employment and ensuring all of those facets are engaged and have the ability to effectively provide information in a simple format!

Response:

In Regional areas there are a number of collocated services that already have a vast network of local services. Using these organisations, such as Community Resource Centres, ensures that local information is provided and that connection to local employers, training organisations, local government, etc. Having that local connection is going to be pivotal in ensuring relevant information is provided at a community level. A lot of frustration I hear from local businesses is that inability to be heard and that the processes are not relevant to their business and they struggle to comply.

Response:

As discussed in previous answers, developing a good relationship with local stakeholders is pivotal. With smaller businesses, a one on one approach is needed. This could be undertaken, with the provision of resources to the local Chamber of Commerce, or by the organisations that deliver business training through state government bodies, such as the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) in Western Australia. The SBDC also has a good relationship with Chamber of Commerce of WA, so looking at the existing structure and ensuring that is strengthened, streamlined and simplified so employers can engage is pivotal. The current system of beaurecrats making decisions from the top down needs to be flipped so the information is received effectively to the small businesses and small businesses are recognised, valued and have the ability to engage!

Response:

Where do I start?
As an employer for many, many years, I have seen the education, training and skills development deteriorate significantly. This begins with the overcrowded curriculum in schools, which does not prepare students for work in manual jobs. Many of these students fall behind early and are not able to develop their specific skills, which causes all manner of problems later when seeking a career path. As I mentioned in an earlier answer, a focus on the practical application for learning is needed. Once these students leave school feeling totally defeated, it is a mammoth job for employers to reignite their confidence and ability to apply themselves effectively to create their maximum productivity.
Looking at Centrelink payments to stimulate a desire to be employed is also an issue. When payments to people living at home with parents and those living independently are the same, there is little incentive for some people to seek employment. As a Centrelink agent we are seeing increasing amounts of people unwilling or unable to seek employment. This should be assessed by government as a matter of course regularly and addressed to ensure proper processes are put in place and programs developed. These people could be providing much needed relief to worker shortages across the board, but their incentive to work has to be more than the incentive not to! 
My last point would be, everything is too complicated! Layer upon layer of complex compliance and regulation smothers businesses and in turn productivity. Do we actually know how much manpower we are lacking, or is it because of the increasing compliance and regulation obligations that are stopping businesses from being more productive?? Every organisation I speak to is complaining bitterly about this and how much it is affecting their ability to deliver an effective service. 
Jobs have shifted from where they are needed to where they create unneeded impost on business - this needs to be fixed!
Please feel free to contact me for more information at any time!