Employment Advice
Skilling Queenslanders for Work Creates Pathway into Pathology
BUSY At Work offer a range of SQW courses in the South East Queensland region, including entry-level courses for Construction, Hospitality, Health Care and Community Services. Recently BUSY At Work delivered an eight week course which offered participants an entry pathway into Pathology. There were twelve participants within this course who, along with two weeks classroom learning, undertook six weeks
Read More6 Steps to Help you Handle Job Rejection
It is pretty common to feel crushed after finding out you didn’t get the job you wanted and you might even wonder why you were unsuccessful in the process but rather than wondering to yourself, try asking those questions to the right people and find out how you can prevent this from happening again in future. To help you take
Read MoreChange your Story – Adult Learners Week
This year’s theme of ‘Change Your Story’ is a relevant one for many. With current disruptions to business and industry and rapidly-advancing digital technologies, it is fair to say that the working world will never be quite the same. For the new world emerging, particularly for employment or business, we can all ‘change our story’ by pivoting and adapting. If
Read MoreA spotlight on a career in the Electrical industry
With over 7,800 job opportunities in the Electrical Industry and a projected job growth of 10.9% in the next five years according to Seek, becoming a ‘sparky’ never looked so good. To become a ‘sparky’ you will need have some fundamental skills, like basic maths, problem solving, teamwork and customer service. The life of a ‘sparky’ can sometimes mean working
Read MoreHigh Demand for Skills Means More Opportunities for Jobseekers
In a more positive light, the study also revealed a 5.9% decrease from the number of people unemployed in June, which means more Australians are finding work every day. Even before COVID, Australia has been experiencing a skills shortage for certain industries. With fewer skilled jobseekers in the market to meet demand for these industries, this represents great opportunities for
Read MoreWanda gets BUSY in the kitchen
After working many years in the retail industry, Wanda then spent some time driving delivery trucks, which she really enjoyed. A transgender woman, Wanda found that she could not continue working in the transport industry for medical reasons while she began her transition from male to female. Having heard about the Skilling Queenslanders for Work course through her jobactive provider,
Read MoreBUSY At Work Helped Rhys Re-join the Workforce After Taking Care of His Family
Rhys was working as a baggage handler at an airport a few years ago until choosing to leave the workforce to focus his time and energy on taking care of his mother who had fallen ill, and his grandmother who had just moved in at the time. Having recently heard about an opportunity to do a Certificate I in Conservation
Read MoreSingle mother of seven, Gladis said ‘This year is my turn!’
The mantra must have worked because the year has brought Gladis a bounty of good fortune including a new career path, new friendships and better health! Originally from Cairns, Gladis and her family moved to Toowoomba two years ago in pursuit of a better life for herself and her children. Her children range in ages from 3 to 21 and
Read MoreSuccessful Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program Receives Ongoing Funding
Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) programs are a set of short upskilling courses that are funded and supported by the Queensland Government. These training programs are perfect for people who are unemployed or under-employed, re-entering the workforce after a little while or disadvantaged job seekers. Since the program launched, Skilling Queenslanders for Work has assisted over 36,000 people into jobs and
Read More8 reasons to refresh your skills sets!
Many of us have been in jobs we’ve hated at some point in our careers, jobs where we just feel stuck. Well, we’re here to tell you how stepping outside your comfort zone can help you achieve your long-term goals, whatever they may be. Think of some of the most successful people you know. Most of them started at the
Read MoreCelebrating Skilling Queenslanders for Work Graduates
To celebrate the success of the varied courses delivered which included Barbering & Hairdressing, Hospitality & Tourism, Retail and Construction; this week BUSY At Work hosted a graduation ceremony for the participants who received their achievement certificates, and a morning tea to thank all those involved. Paul Miles, Managing Director at BUSY At Work presented the certificates to participants at
Read MoreYou’ve left school – now what?
Do you go straight from school into university or TAFE? Take a gap year to travel or find work and save some money? Earn while you learn through an apprenticeship or traineeship? We’ve got 5 tips to help you work out the best path for you after leaving school. Tip 1 – Do not Fear the Decision Whatever decision you
Read MoreFind a Career that Suits You!
Ever heard the saying ‘do something you love and you will never work a day in your life?’ Well, while all work has it’s dull or trying moments, it’s true that if you find work that suits your individual strengths, interests and values, you are more likely to enjoy it – and thrive! Whether you prefer outdoor work or indoors,
Read MoreThe future of industry and jobs, post-Covid
So what does the future hold for job seekers looking for secure employment moving forward? While many people in industries such as the arts, hospitality and tourism took a massive hit with job losses, many other industries have ‘risen from the ashes’ since the pandemic hit us earlier in 2020. In no particular order, here are the top 7 industries
Read MoreReducing Staff Turnover in Your Business
Managing Staff Turnover “Clients do not come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of your clients.” Sir Richard Branson According to leading human resource consultancy firm Harrisons, depending on the size of your business, the total costs of replacing an employee varies from 30-150% of their salary. This cost includes replacement costs, re-training costs
Read MoreStrange interview questions and how to answer them!
What happens though when you get asked a ‘curve-ball’ question you really weren’t expecting? The important thing to remember is that while the question may seem funny or odd, there is usually a reason behind it. Your answer allows the interviewer to get to know you better, your personality, your creativity and your ability to think on your feet. Here
Read More10 Steps To Personal And Professional Goal Setting
You’re probably no stranger to setting goals. Whether it’s something work related like getting a promotion, or something more personal like losing weight, we’ve all set goals at some point. Even our long forgotten New Year’s resolutions can be classified as a type of goal, as can our desire to get through our to-do list before the end of the
Read More7 Ways to Overcome Anxiety in the Workplace
With an average of one in four people experiencing anxiety at some stage in their life, it’s no surprise that Aussies are experiencing anxiety in the workplace. This has a massive impact not only on the individual, but on the business with 92% of serious work-related mental health condition claims being attributed to mental stress and one in five Australians
Read More5 Apprenticeships And Traineeships With Thousands Of Jobs Available Right Now
With university degrees no longer rewarding students with a guarantee of full-time work, there’s a greater need for alternate education and employment pathways. Apprenticeships and traineeships are a great way to train people in occupations and industries that are experiencing high demand. For businesses, hiring apprentices and trainees is a great option because it involves taking on workers that are
Read MoreStarting A Buddy System In Your Business–Do It Today!
Settling into a new job is often a nerve-wracking experience for employees. It’s a moment of truth where they learn whether they have made the right decision and it’s one of the most important opportunities for a business to make a good first impression.
Read MoreWays To Cope With Sensory Overload
Open plan workplaces have boasted increased collaboration, improved comradery, greater transparency and a more productive workplace. However, it has been suggested that employees are one third as productive in open office designs as in quiet rooms. While increased collaboration and room to work together with colleagues appears to make sense on paper, there seems to be very little evidence to
Read MoreSigns Of Bullying – How To Recognise When Young Staff Are Being Bullied
While most of us like to think that bullying is something that only happens in the school yard, the sad reality is that half of all Aussie employees will experience workplace bullying during their careers. What is workplace bullying? According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, an employee is considered to be experiencing bullying at work when: A person or group
Read More5 Social Issues Impacting The Next Generation All Employers Should Understand
It’s estimated that by 2020, almost half of the workforce will be made up of Millennials. With this in mind, employers must understand the differences between this younger demographic that is entering the workforce and the ones that have come before them if they have any chance in attracting and retaining top quality employees. Growing up in a digital world
Read MoreExperiencing Anxiety At Work? 5 Tips To Help You Through The Day
Everyone is familiar with feeling stressed at work. Whether it’s because we have a deadline looming, an important meeting coming up or a busy period in the year- feeling stressed at work is not uncommon. Most of this stress is manageable and doesn’t pose a significant problem to the average worker. However, when this stress is ongoing and excessive, or
Read MoreFull-time work continues to rise in Australia
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) this month have shown that seasonally adjusted employment has increased by 44,000 jobs, with 33,700 of those positions being full time. This rise in jobs has meant that full time employment has increased by 202,100 since August 2017. The Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, said
Read MoreHow To Create A Leading Safety Culture
In order for businesses to provide safe environments for their employees, it’s important that an effective safety culture is established. The importance of safety in the workplace has rightfully been on the rise in past years. In 2004-05 there were 135,515 reported serious injury claims throughout Australia, a figure that dropped to 113,965 in 2013-14. Similarly, the number of workplace
Read MoreThinking Christmas In July? Before You Get The Booze Out, Read This
We’ve all heard enough horror stories of work functions going wrong to know that generally, alcohol and the workplace don’t mix. Research reveals that up to 15% of workplace injuries worldwide are attributed to drug and alcohol use. Closer to home, stats show that approximately 90% of the Australian work force consumes alcohol and, alcohol costs Australian workplaces an estimated
Read MoreUnemployment falls to 5.4% despite the loss of 20,600 full time jobs
Despite the loss of 20,600 full time jobs, there was an overall increase of 12,000 jobs in the month of May this year. This was owing to an increase of 32,600 part time jobs according to the latest data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistic’ (ABS). Unemployment fell by 0.2 per cent while the underemployment rate also fell
Read More5 Ways BUSY Make Your Apprenticeship Recruitment Easier
Here at BUSY At Work, we know how valuable taking on an apprentice or trainee can be for your business, and we want to make the process as simple as possible.
Read MoreGovernment Incentives Are Making It Easier To Hire Apprentices
While employing an apprentice or trainee is a smart, long-term investment, sometimes the short-term costs can be tough to overlook. This is where BUSY comes in. Not only do we help you every step of the way (for free), we also help you figure out what government incentives you can apply for and how much funding you’re entitled to.
Read MoreHere’s Why Hiring Apprentices Will Help Your Business’ Bottom Line
Apprentices and trainees are an extremely valuable asset in our constantly changing workforce, and we need to acknowledge that hiring them is a long-term business investment. Simply put, hiring apprentices may help your bottom line.
Read More3 Ways Apprentices Can Future-Proof Your Industry
For business owners, who are often stuck between the micro issues of their staff and the macro concerns of the clients and the broader industry, there is much at stake when it comes to taking on apprentices. Apprentices are the obvious future.
Read More5 Misconceptions Surrounding Hiring An Apprentice
Hiring an apprentice or trainee can often seem like a complicated process, one that your business doesn’t have the time or resources to figure out. Luckily here at BUSY At Work we know how valuable taking on an apprentice or trainee can be for your business, and we want to make the process as easy as possible.
Read MoreSkilling Queenslanders for Work opens for funding applications
“The BUSY RSCPA Traineeships project was part of that of that latest round, with $118,700 committed to employ six people onto paid Work Skills Traineeships, where they will gain hands on experience at the Black Cat Café while also studying for a Certificate I in Hospitality.”
Read MoreAustralia Added More Jobs but Unemployment Increases
Australia’s job growth has hit an all-time historic high with four decades of consecutive monthly growth, the longest unbroken period of growth recorded since the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) started collecting data back in 1978. However, although there are more jobs it did not stop the unemployment rate creeping up slightly to 5.5% during December 2017. Snapshot (seasonally adjusted
Read MoreStatim-Yaga Program Helps Dale Achieve His Career Ambition
Statim-Yaga program which focuses on supporting Indigenous employees in the construction industry. In Dale's case the program has delivered mentoring support and career planning to him and his new employer Dig-It.
Read MoreBack to Work and $20,000 Youth Boost expanded to South East QLD
From July 1, the existing Back to Work program available in regional Queensland will be extended to employers who take on a long-term unemployed or a young unemployed job seeker aged 15-24 years in the South East. This will support up to 1,500 new jobs in the South East, with eligible employers in line for support payments of up to $20,000
Read MoreBudget 2017 – $1.5 billion to increase apprenticeships and traineeships
Investing in skilling Australians for Australian jobs, tax breaks, cutting red tape and the extension of $20,000 instant asset tax write off are this year’s budget highlights for small to medium businesses.
Read MoreJobs market smashes expectations – QLD highest increase
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) report released this morning revealed Australia's unemployment rate has remained steady at 5.9 per cent in March while the jobs market smashed expectations of economists by the creation of 60,900. The largest increase in employment was in Queensland up 28,800 jobs
Read MoreHard work and dedication pays off for Dianne
Mature age employee Dianne Smith has never been one to shy away from hard work. The Cairns local had been previously unemployed for two years in Melbourne but has now found her feet in the tropical north after securing full time work in a field she has always enjoyed. With the help of CoAct BUSY At Work Employment Consultant, Jessica Campbell and Placement Officer, jobactive, Jason Meyer, Dianne is now working 40 hours a week as a cleaner with respected local business, Abelia Cleaning.
Read MoreGet your business in the running for the 2017 Australian Training Awards
The Australian Training Awards are the peak, national awards for the vocational education and training (VET) sector, recognising individuals, businesses and registered training organisations for their contribution to skilling Australia - Applications close Wednesday 31 May 2017
Read MoreDarien thrives in administration traineeship following Work for the Dole Program
Mackay local Darien Andrews is positive proof that being a participant in a Working for the Dole (WfD) program can be a meaningful and life changing experience. The 21 year old signed up for a Work for the Dole activity at the Pioneer Tennis Club in September last year and is relishing the opportunity to learn new business skills in an office environment. BUSY At Work, Work for the Dole Coordinator, Kristy Gostelow said Darien had performed so well at the club that he was offered a traineeship on 30 January this year a
Read MoreNational unemployment jumps to 5.9 per cent – QLD loses 11,500 jobs
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today showed that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February 2017 increased by 0.2 percentage points to 5.9 per cent. Queensland observed the largest increase in unemployment rate (0.4 percentage points). Queensland also saw the largest decrease in employment (down 11,500 jobs).
Read MoreExciting new E Waste project reaps benefits for the Mackay and Sarina communities
Recycling E-Hub Mackay and Sarina get locals to donate their used electronic equipment rather than dumping as landfill. Around 30 Work for the Dole participants have been involved in dismantling computers, photocopiers and printers over the past 5 months and rebuilding them into fully functioning 3D printers.
Read MoreBUSY helps Daniel find a new career helping others
In September last year Daniel Newell was at a low point in his life. With a wife and two children to support, the future was looking very uncertain with Daniel unable to secure regular work to make ends meet. After connecting with Jason Meyer, BUSY At Work’s Job Placement Officer for Smithfield, Mareeba and Atherton, Daniel was able to turn his life around and is now working full time in a new career which is not only financially rewarding but one he is passionate about. In the lead up to meeting Jason, Daniel ha
Read MoreGold Coast 101 Campaign takes the lead around Australia
With Gold Coast’s youth unemployment sitting around 12% in November last year, leading provider of employment and apprenticeship services BUSY At Work was determined not to take it sitting down. BUSY joined forces with Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Training and local Federal Member Karen Andrews to call on Gold Coast employers to help resolve this growing trend. Embarking
Read More3 ways to impress with your CV when you have no work experience
Apprenticeships and traineeships can help you achieve your dream career even if you don't have a secondary school certificate or other types of qualification.
Read More3 big mistakes to avoid making on your first day
Being offered an apprenticeship or traineeship position is an exciting moment, and it could spell the first step in your journey towards a dream career. But just because you've secured a role it doesn't mean you can take your foot off the accelerator yet.
Read MoreHow long should I wait after an interview before following up?
So you've sent in your CV for an apprenticeship or traineeship, attended an interview and you're now eagerly awaiting the call to find out whether they're going to offer you the position. But the phone isn't ringing and your inbox is worryingly empty. Sound familiar?
Read MoreThe benefits of a parks and gardens career
Australia has more than 500 national parks, which encompass 28 million hectares of land, according to federal government figures. This represents approximately 4 per cent of the country's total land, with a further 6 per cent comprising state forests, conservation reserves and nature parks.
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