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"Satisfaction does not come with achievement, but with effort. Full effort is full victory." Mahatma Gandhi
Government program helps combat skills shortage
T
he local tourism industry has welcomed the Productivity Places Program (PPP) as a good way to combat skills shortages and highlight the importance of training in the industry. PPP is a national partnership between the Australian and ACT governments aimed at increasing productivity through vocational education and training. The ACT Government has responsibility for managing both Australian Government funded places for job seekers and jointly funded places for existing workers. In the ACT around 10,000 additional training places will be delivered over four years. Priorities for implementation are based on the national Priority Occupations List and the Annual ACT VET Priorities which are developed through local industry consultation and endorsed by the ACT Vocational Education and Training Advisory Group. PPP meets a wider range of needs than other government-funded programs and caters for full-time as well as casual workers seeking high level qualifications. Training under PPP is available across a variety of industry sectors including horticulture, transport and logistics, hospitality,
information and technology, health, construction and property services, government and business services. PPP gives employers the opportunity to work with a registered training organisation (RTO) to identify their workforce development needs. RTOs can then apply for funding through the ACT Department of Education and Training. The ACT Tourism Industry Council ACT and Region executive director Joseph Griffiths said PPP was good news for the tourism sector as both job seekers and existing workers have the opportunity to gain new skills and to up-skill in their current jobs. Mr Griffiths stated that the PPP has provided “… a wonderful opportunity to talk with employers and employees in the tourism and hospitality industry about the ongoing skills shortage and the importance of training in this industry. For an industry that generated in excess of $1.3 billion annually in the ACT, it is often overlooked as a serious employer and does not always have the training opportunities available for employees as other industries do, he said. “It is a delight to be able to engage with our industry and discuss all the positives of PPP for both the employees and the employers.”
Canberra Institute of Technology Restaurant, Reid Campus
Energetics makes the switch for office energy savings
W
ith over 70 per cent of Canberra’s greenhouse gas emissions generated by stationary sources, including office buildings, the ACT's emissions profile is distinctly different from the national profile. The good news is that tenants are in a position to influence up to 50 per cent of the energy use in their offices.
Jon Sibley, Energetics ACT Regional Manager
Simple behavioural changes such as turning off computer equipment and lights, and avoiding standby mode when not in use can make a big difference in energy consumption. . CitySwitch Green Office is a national tenant energy efficiency program which works with tenants of office buildings to reduce their energy use. CitySwitch provides a welcome opportunity for Canberra’s many businesses and government agencies to demonstrate leadership in reducing their contribution to the ACT’s environmental impact, and modelling exemplary behaviour to the Canberra community. Together with CitySwitch, businesses can reduce their impact on the environment at the same time as making significant savings on energy costs. Energetics, a specialist management consultancy in the business of climate change, is the first signatory to the CitySwitch Green Office in Canberra. As part of its CitySwitch commitment, Energetics has committed to achieving a minimum 4 star NABERS Energy rating for its premises and implementing a range of energy efficiency measures. “CitySwitch is a great opportunity for Energetics to demonstrate our vision for sustainability whilst ensuring real reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas generation. Programs such as CitySwitch
are important in educating the business community and reducing our impact on the environment”, said Tony Cooper, CEO of Energetics. “Energetics helps its clients to transition to a carbon-constrained environment by managing risks, achieving cost reductions and identifying new opportunities. Our commitment to CitySwitch shows that we are putting these principles to work in our own operations”, said Energetics ACT Regional Manager, Jon Sibley. CitySwitch does not cost anything to join and businesses benefit from a structured approach to achieving energy efficiency, as well as public recognition as an environmental leader. Targeting electricity consumption is a key step to achieving significant greenhouse gas reductions in the ACT and achieving the ACT Government’s long-term goal of zero net emissions. CitySwitch Green Office is delivered in Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water, on behalf of the ACT Government. CitySwitch Green Office, contact Debra Grogan, T: 62075669 debra.grogan@act.gov.au www.cityswitch.net.au
FACT: A ustralia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.8 per cent in October (ABS Nov 2009). 6
December 2009 | B2B in Canberra