An industry group, made up of representatives from  the region’s Agriculture, Construction, Civil Construction, Health, Horticulture, Manufacturing, Tourism, Transport and Resources sectors, has been formed to find solutions to local workforce challenges such as skills and labour shortages and overcoming barriers to workforce training.

The Far North Queensland Industry Workforce Development Group (IWDG) Chair Colin Keily, HR Manager of MSF Sugar Limited, said collaboration was the key to developing a sustainable regional workforce.

“A sustainable labour pool can only be achieved by working collaboratively with other businesses in this region, rather than in competition. The IWDG, which brings together representatives from a range of regional sectors, is a great opportunity for industry to develop and implement solutions to workforce challenges,” he said.

“With anticipated developments in the resources sector, in particular the establishment of a FIFO hub in Cairns, together with recovery in both the tourism and construction industries and associated demand for services, there could be a significant demand for skilled labour that will need to be met in the short term.”

A meeting on Tuesday will see the IWDG’s charter signed.

“The charter provides the IWDG with a clear pathway forward; outlines clear strategies for success and provides the foundation to translate ideas and strategies into direct, results-based action which will deliver a work – ready, FNQ based workforce to support the growth of industries and businesses in this region.”

The IWDG has been established as part of Advance Cairns Skills Formation Strategy project, which is funded by Skills Queensland.

Cairns has more finalists in this year’s Queensland Training Awards than any other region, Member for Cairns Desley Boyle said today.

Ms Boyle said the six Cairns finalists were chosen from 750 entrants statewide who are competing for top honours in the Queensland Training Awards.

“It’s a significant achievement to make it to the finals and even more noteworthy that six of the 57 finalists come from Cairns.  It was a big field and it means that we’ve got the best of the best right on our doorstep,” Ms Boyle said.

“I congratulate each and every one of them for making it through to the finals.  They were up against tough competition and I wish them well on the big night this Friday,” she said.

The six finalists are:

Small Training Provider of the Year: Training Connections Australia specialises in delivering nationally recognised training and assessment to Indigenous people and more than 90 per cent of its training is delivered in remote communities. TCA’s lead program, Bringing Skills to Life, is an Indigenous-specific program that helps clients with many different life skills to find work.

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year: Myra Sessions is responsible for leading the Diploma of Nursing program at the Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE. She was instrumental in setting up co-delivery arrangements with the James Cook University (JCU) nursing team for Indigenous nursing students on Thursday Island and is a pioneer in the introduction of video streaming learning – a world-first for enrolled nursing.

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the year: Cairns State High School Student Jenna-Maree Jacob jumped at the chance to take on a traineeship at Bumma Bippera’s radio station in Cairns and has completed a Certificate III in Media.  Jenna is now undertaking a Certificate IV in Screen and Media while completing school, and wants to go on to become a television journalist.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year: Growing up in the Torres Strait, Eugene Dorante developed a knack for fixing up motors and cars.  Eugene, who now has a Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology, plans to continue his education and return to the Torres Strait to establish a mechanical workshop and take on as many apprentices as possible.

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year: Tristram Creek completed a Certificate III in Business as part of a traineeship with Centrelink, and is now a dedicated member of their Indigenous Remote Services Team.

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year: Jessica Meek began her career as an electrician after winning a ‘Girls with Spark’ scholarship and scored the highest result in her field in the past five years at the Tropical North Institute of TAFE.  Jessica performs quality assurance and control duties on Australian Defence Force naval vessels and has completed her Certificate III in Electrotechnology.

State winners will compete in the Australian Training Awards to be held in Brisbane on 25 November.

For more information visit www.qta.qld.gov.au.

Hi everyone and welcome to the August Austropex eNewsletter.

August is all about the Austropex Conference which is only nine days away!

The day is promising to be amazing – we have nine sessions covering a whole range of subjects relevant to the tropical expertise sector and the regional economy.

I encourage all of you to download the Conference Handbook and browse through the sessions  - the diversity of talent we have in our community is something, we as Tropical North Queenslanders, can be incredibly proud of.

While the Austropex Conference is everything from a networking opportunity to a celebration of tropical expertise, at its heart it is all about supporting, connecting and promoting industry and driving the regional economy.

The day is an affirmation that we have the talent, the drive and the vision to create the future we want for ourselves and our families.

FNQROC Annual Report 2011

Advance Cairns CEO Stewart Christie

Ten years ago I came to the Tropical North for a six month period.

I fell in love with the region and now can’t imagine living anywhere else.

I’m extremely proud to have been selected to lead Advance Cairns – it’s a real privilege to work on behalf of the people of Tropical North Queensland.

That said it’s also a responsibility and one I take very seriously.

Tropical North Queensland has its fair share of economic challenges but in my mind, challenges are problems waiting to be solved.

It is Advance Cairns’ role to identify regional economic issues and come up with the strategies to solve them.

Our goal is for Tropical North Queensland to have a thriving, sustainable, clean, green economy.

To achieve this goal we need to do a number of things – and we need your help.

We need to work together to make sure that our region is a positive and productive place. Advance Cairns will play its part by:

• Helping to restore business confidence

One of the key issues facing business is access to finance.

We need to work with banks, private finance organisations and local business to develop solutions that work for both business and the finance organisations.

• Providing practical support for business

Advance Cairns supports business through our Business Enterprise Centre (BEC).

The Advance Cairns BEC supports business throughout Tropical North Queensland.

• Facilitating cooperation and collaboration within and between industry and Government

Advance Cairns brings industry and government together through collaborative projects such as Study Cairns and the Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef and Industry Groups such as Cairns Ship Repair Services.

• Promoting our region as a great place to live, work and invest

Advance Cairns believes our region is an ideal location for business, government departments, defence and skilled workers.

We need to develop and attract industries to this region in order to build a strong and resilient economy which values, protects and contributes to enhancing the lifestyle and environment that we all prize.

• Planning for the future

Advance Cairns is the driving force behind the Tropical North Queensland Regional Economic Plan 2011 – 2031.

This is the region’s first economic plan and marks a dramatic shift in the way economic decisions will be made into the future.

Driven by Advance Cairns, the Plan is supported by the Cairns Regional Council, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Cook Shire Council, Tablelands Regional Council and other economic stakeholders.

• Articulating regional economic goals to Government

Advance Cairns, as an apolitical peak economic development body, is the voice of Tropical North Queensland.

Guided by the Regional Economic Plan and the input of stakeholders, Advance Cairns can articulate our regional economic goals to Government.

To ensure a prosperous and health regional economy our business community needs leadership.  Advance Cairns can provide that leadership for the region.

I am committed to delivering outcomes for the region but will need your support to ensure that we have the resources and support to deliver the region’s economic agenda.

There’s a lot of work to do but together we can make a difference.

Senator Jan McLucas recently announced the support the Federal Government was providing for small business in Tropical North Queensland.

Advice and support

Through the recently launched Adviser Finder tool, the Government is improving small business access to the $50 million a year Enterprise Connect Centres and the $42.5 million Business Enterprise Centres.

Enterprise Connect

Enterprise Connect offers comprehensive business advice and support to eligible Australian, small and medium-sized enterprises to help them transform and reach their full potential.

Enterprise Connect has now been extended to tourism businesses in Queensland. Eligible tourism businesses are able to request a comprehensive, confidential and independent Business Review, at no charge. The Tailored Advisory Services Grant gives tourism businesses the chance to engage a consultant to make the improvements recommended by the Enterprise Connect Business Adviser in the Business Review. The Grant reimburses businesses half the cost, up to a maximum of $10,000 (excl GST) of engaging the consultant/s.

The Advance Cairns Business Enterprise Centre

The BEC is recognised as the first and best point of contact for small business operators seeking quality business information, advice and guidance.

On 15 March 2011, Minister for Small Business Nick Sherry launched the Cairns Business Enterprise Centre, based at Advance Cairns, fulfilling a commitment made by the Gillard Government to provide local support for small businesses in Cairns and the region.

Small Business Support Service

On 6 April 2011, the Government announced a $3.3 million funding boost to small business support groups to help them deliver additional services to assist disaster-affected small businesses under the Small Business Advisory Services (SBAS) Program.

Not-for-profit organisations can receive grants of up to $100,000 to deliver services, including business mentoring, assistance with business and marketing plans, preparing for and accessing business finance and programs to build the business skills, in disaster declared zones.  Applications closed on 6 May and are currently being assessed.

Small Business Support Line

The Government is providing $7.1 million to continue its highly successful Small Business Support Line. The Support Line has received over 27,000 calls and over 3,000 emails, with strong regional interest.

The Small Business Support Line provides small business owners with a single point of contact to access information and referral services to improve their business sustainability and help better manage their business.

Local Employment Coordinators

The Government is providing $45 million to extend the Keep Australia Working initiative, including the Local Employment Coordinators and Jobs and Skills expos, until 30 June 2013.

Funding of $19 million over three years will also be provided to develop 34 regional education, skills and jobs plans. This will help to identify the needs of the region, and will improve coordination of local employment initiatives.

Fly-In Fly-Out Coordinator

The FIFO Coordinator will assist resources companies to attract and connect skilled workers from the Cairns region to available work on mining, construction and infrastructure projects in remote areas; establish training and employment pathways for skilled workers and unemployed job seekers; and link mining companies with airline and airport services to facilitate the engagement of FIFO workers.

Supporting small business

The Government is already introducing lower and simpler small business taxes by allowing instant write off for all assets costing less than $5,000 from 2012‑13. Simpler depreciation will apply to long‑life assets as well.

The Government is also introducing, from 2012‑13, an early reduction in the company tax rate to 29 per cent to allow small business companies to reinvest and grow.

Additional taxation benefits

The Government will allow small businesses to claim up to $5,000 as an immediate deduction for motor vehicles acquired from 2012‑13. The remaining cost is depreciated at 30 per cent (15 per cent in the purchase year), which was the previous treatment for the entire cost of the motor vehicle.

Cars and vans are often a small business’s main asset, so an immediate write‑off on motor vehicle purchases will assist with this significant cost.

The Government will also reduce Pay As You Go installments for 2011‑12 for the majority of small businesses providing a $700 million cash flow benefit.

Tax Assistance for Small Businesses

On 1 June 2009, the Australian Taxation Office introduced measures to help small businesses that are struggling to manage their tax payment obligations. These measures have been extended for a further 12 months, until 30 June 2011.

If a business has an annual turnover of less than $2 million and an activity statement debt, it can apply to enter into a General Interest Charge-free payment arrangement with the ATO from now until 30 June 2011.

Liveable Regions

The Budget provides new funding to support the sustainability of growing regional centres including:

• $29.2 million over four years to improve strategic planning for regional and coastal high growth centres, reducing red tape for business and fast‑tracking investment
• $11.5 million over four years to support regional cities to promote the benefits and opportunities of living away from the capital cities
• $10.1 million to develop a set of sustainability indicators to develop a stronger understanding and enable closer monitoring of sustainability issues.

Check out our May Advertorial and eNewsletter.

Wednesday 13 April 2011

In my previous roles as a Business Banker and Finance Broker in Cairns, I was surprised to constantly meet business people who were all chasing income growth without any thought or plan as to what the impact of this growth would be on their bottom line.

So, when times were good in Cairns there was growth for the sake of the growth. This would mean some of the foundations of good business practice such as strategic planning and customer service were overlooked by business owners.

With the impact of the GFC and the subsequent economic slow-down in Cairns, many of these high performing businesses have become unsustainable, their inherent weaknesses have become evident and this is reflected in their performance.

It has been said, people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.  Failure to plan is widespread and is reflected in the increasing numbers of Cairns business’s asking me, “What can I do?”

My advice: formulate a plan and write it down.  By documenting your thoughts, you are able to clarify key issues and determine whether your ideas are feasible.

Then do the numbers and understand the processes needed to make them work.  You may find that your idea sounded good but is not financially feasible.

If it isn’t, start again and keep working through the solutions until you are satisfied with the result.

Once you have formulated your plan, get a second opinion.  What makes sense to you may not make sense to someone else and by workshopping your ideas you may find a solution.

In some cases you may actually need the assistance of other business partners including Accountants, Solicitors or even your Bank to carry out your plan.

By taking the time to plan, you increase your chances of success regardless of what’s happening in the wider economy.

Strategic planning allows you to adjust your positioning strategies, align your workforce, manage your margins and increase your competitive advantage through exceptional customer service and minimise the economic impact to their bottom line.

Remember that in some cases and despite all best efforts some businesses will falter so ensure you have a clear exit strategy.

This does not necessarily mean closing down, but perhaps handing over to a new generation whether external or other family members.

New ideas and fresh motivation can be a lifeline for a faltering business.

Having had many experiences with small business over the years, the opportunity to lead the Cairns BEC is an exciting and positive step for me.

This service will allow me to assist small business in many ways so that they can find their own way to success.

Just remember, whilst it’s easy to get caught up in the day to day struggle of running a small business, it’s important to have clear business goals and put the plans in place to achieve them.

Otherwise, why are you working?

Please email Kim on bec@advancecairns.com to find out more about the BEC or to book an appointment.

‘The services provided by Advance Cairns Limited are partially funded by the Australian Government’