RCCIWA Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
It continues to be a busy time, and the past couple of weeks has seen RCCIWA representing our members in many different ways:

• Attended the launch of WA’s Pipeline of Work by the State Government, which was launched by our Premier, the Hon Mark McGowan MLA. 
• Horizon Power Presentation – was invited to speak at Horizon Powers annual managers forum about the incredibly positive impacts that their support of our members within the network has delivered. They are highly engaged with our members and have been proactive and very responsive in providing support, funding, and information.
• Foodservice & Hospitality Working Group – continued to contribute to this State Government formed Working Group (one of about 22) which is a part of the Government recovery program. A particularly important way to ensure the issues and challenges of our members are being voiced and heard. This is a very responsive working group.
• Participated as a member of the Telstra Regional Advisory Council meeting, which are held each quarter.
• Participated as a member of the Western Australian Advocacy for Consumers of Energy (WA ACE) Forum which meets every two months. You can find out more about this Forum here.

We of course also held our RCCIWA Members Forum on the 12^th and 13^th of November which was incredibly valuable and provided plenty of opportunities for us to represent our collective issues and engage with Members of Parliament, Stakeholders, and each other.

Read here to find out more about our broader stakeholder engagement for 2020 as well as a summary overview of activities and benefits delivered to and for our members.

RCCIWA Monthly Members Meeting – December 8^th
On Tuesday we held our final monthly Members Meeting for the months and it was great to see 11 of our members represented on the platform (especially at this time of year) as well as to have CCIWA give us a detailed yet succinct policy update. All of our members are incredibly busy and very much looking forward to a break over the festive period (as are we all!). The two critical issues being raised by all of our members that are having the biggest impact on their business community are:

• Shortage of workers right across the regions in every industry
• Shortage or total lack of available accommodation

We will continue prosecuting these two issues as a matter of priority with all three tiers of Government as well as other stakeholder who may be able to assist with providing some solutions.

WA Pipeline of Work – Encouraging Regional Businesses to Prepare and Be Ready to bid for Work
The WA Government is creating a pipeline of work to deliver economic stimulus projects in a sustainable way and maximise employment opportunities. The pipeline will include a comprehensive listing of future infrastructure projects that will enable Western Australian businesses to better plan for major WA Government tenders, sustaining companies across the state and creating local jobs.

Businesses will also have access to a range of government support for apprentices and trainees to supply the workforce for these projects.  By demonstrating a commitment to take on trainees, apprentices, aboriginal people and unemployed youth, businesses will increase their chances of winning work on government projects, under the Western Australian Jobs Act 2017. To find out more about the pipeline read here.

This is something we have been calling for, for many years – we congratulate the WA Government for introducing the WA Pipeline of Work and know it will provide many opportunities for sustainability and growth for countless regional WA businesses.