RCCIWA – Stakeholder & Member Engagement, Representation

The past two months have been very busy in terms of engaging with our terrific members and of course our all-important stakeholders. Some highlights include:

• Attended the final Local Government Act Review Reference Group meeting . The Review of the all of the feedback from the extensive consultation period has now concluded. From this a panel of experts has been formed to progress the development of a new Local Government Act for Western Australia. The Local Government Review Panel will consider and recommend high-level direction and guiding principles for the new Act. The panel will continue to engage with the sector, community and stakeholders, and make recommendations on the requirements of a new Local Government Act to meet the future needs of local government. The panel will look at best practice models in Australia and overseas as well as feedback from the recent consultation on WA's Local Government Act 1995. Visit here to find out more.
• Met with various stakeholders regarding being part of a Food Relief Round table initiative for Western Australia
• Visited Pemberton to spend time with our member, the Pemberton CCI and attended their terrific networking event, which was hosted by nbn co.
• Attended the launch of the Grow Local program in Karratha in October, and met with representatives from our contributing partners Rio Tinto, the Chevron operated Gorgon Project and Woodside in Perth in November. To find out more about the program visit here.
• Participated in the Telstra Regional Advisory Council of WA teleconference as a member.
• Met with DTWD several times to continue discussions about the Working Together program that we deliver via 5 of our members, as well as to talk about extending this service to other areas.
• Visited Albany to spend time with our member the Albany CCI, attended their  Business After Hours hosted by Due South, Firm Vision Advisory and Wauters Building – and incredible event with over 150 people in attendance. A great and very productive 2 days in Albany.
• Regular Meeting with the Dept of Jobs, Tourism, Science &  Innovation (JTSI) to discuss:

• WA Industry Link
• Regional Sourcing Strategy
• Buy Local Policy
• WAIPS 2019/2020

• Participated in a panel discussion at the Pilbara 2019 Conference in Perth, to talk about the important role that Chambers of Commerce play in the Pilbara.

For more information on our engagement and representation activities for this year please read here.

 

Next RCCIWA Monthly Teleconference – Tuesday December 19th

RCCIWA holds a monthly teleconference on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am. The next one will be on Tuesday December 10^th.This are a great opportunity to share with and learn from fellow members and find out any updates on issues of importance to regional business communities. This teleconference is a free call to you, thanks to our lovely friends at Telstra Regional WA. The agenda will be sent out with your calendar invitation with the dial in details at the top. We hope you can join us on the line next Tuesday.

 

Changes to the State Government Buy Local Policy – Have your Say

The Buy Local Policy (BLP) is being enhanced to make it easier for Western Australian businesses when bidding for State Government contracts. BLP is a WA Government policy designed to support local businesses through a number of initiatives aimed at maximising participation of locally based businesses in supplying to government. As the BLP has remained relatively unchanged since its inception in 2002, the State Government decided to overhaul the policy, with the aim to simplify it.

A key feature of the updated BLP is the transfer of the current administrator from the State Supply Commission, to the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI).

As with the Western Australian Jobs Act 2017, JTSI will be the lead agency responsible for the development, implementation and administration of the BLP.JTSI’s review of BLP will also ensure the policy is aligned with the Western Australian Participation Strategy (WAIPS).
JTSI will undertake a review of the operation and effectiveness of the BLP on an annual basis.

As part of this process, there will be regular consultation with public and private sector stakeholders and greater scrutiny of policy outcomes. For any enquiries regarding this email please contact the Industry Link Advisory Service.

Email: industrylink@jtsi.wa.gov.au

Telephone: (08) 9222 0722

 

Lower Fees, Local Skills

The State Government recently announced the introduction of Lower fees, local skills, a VET fee reduction initiative to encourage growth in training, apprenticeships and traineeships.  

Commencing 1 January 2020, Lower fees, local skills will see the course fees for 34 targeted priority qualifications reduced by 50 per cent and the maximum annual course fee for these courses capped at $400 for concession students and youth and $1,200 for non-concession students.

Lower fees, local skills is a two-year initiative which aims to stimulate training in jobs growth areas and support the industry sectors that are important for the diversification of the Western Australian economy, including aged and disability care, Metronet, defence industries, hospitality and tourism.

Lower fees, local skills also responds to the State Training Board’s report on growing apprenticeships and traineeships, which identified the cost of training as a significant barrier to employers taking on apprentices and trainees. 

Further information about Lower fees, local skills, including the full list of fee-reduced targeted courses and frequently asked questions, is available on the Jobs and Skills WA website at jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/lowerfees.