Since COVID hit in 2020, the centre saw an initial increase in persons who had relied on the hospitality industry for an income (particularly international students) and sadly, a huge spike in requests from families in domestic violence situations. The centre also had to change it’s way of service delivery to staggered appointments and take away meals. Dianne Kozik, General

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

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

NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself.  You can find out more about the origins and history of NAIDOC Week. In short, NAIDOC week is about recognising and celebrating the history, culture and

Apprentices and trainees 2020 – December quarter released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) provides a national picture of apprenticeship and traineeship activity, including both quarterly and annual figures that can be broken down by state and territory. It also includes information on the main movements across various demographic and occupational categories. According to the research report,

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

Lucky for us, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have provided some helpful tips on how to successfully submit your tax return for the 2020-2021 period. To make sure you are getting the most possible out of your tax return, you need to be certain about what you can claim. The ATO lists a variety of expenses that you can deduct

Flash forward after leaving school and Maggie found herself in full time administration work, which she wasn’t particularly enjoying but it paid the bills. When Maggie saw a position advertised for a painter her passion for hands-on work and a desire for a trades career was reignited. With a push from her family and friends, Maggie decided to stop thinking

With economic recovery still the main focus, the Treasurer, Cameron Dick, stated yesterday that as many jobs that were lost during the pandemic have now been recovered. The unemployment rate is forecast to drop from its 2020-21 rate of 7% to 5% by June 2025. Below is a summary of what the budget means for skills and jobs growth for

With an extensive suite of regulatory approvals and strong Original Engine Manufacturers (OEM) partnerships, TAE Aerospace are backed by a technical workforce with a passion for service and the expertise to deliver. TAE Aerospace have a broad range of clients around the world and offer premium quality products and services in aerospace engineering, manufacturing, turbine engine and component MRO, and

People who may have worked in a career for 10, 20 or even 30 plus years are in a unique position as they have plenty of transferrable workforce experience to bring to a new career, while still being able to obtain new knowledge and skills. There’s plenty of success stories of older people turning their careers around in later life.

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

In 2020, Baxter found out about BUSY At Work’s Transition to Work program which supports young people aged 15-24 with intensive support to find work. When you are young and just left school, it is extremely difficult to get your first ‘foot in the door’ and this is where the program helps. The Transition to Work program is an Australian

Raymond initially had contactless appointments with his Transition to Work consultant, he was always punctual and was very keen to find employment in his local area. An unusual opportunity came through Selborne Biological Services (Aust) Pty Ltd who were looking for local people to join their company, contracting at Swickers, Kingaroy’s well-known pork processing plant and the largest in the

BUSY At Work is providing a full-time career facilitator at 131 Bazaar Street, helping youths develop skills to help them find employment without having to leave the region. The hub services the Maryborough, Hervey Bay, Gympie, Bundaberg and Burnett regions. Mr O’Brien said the hub is one of ten training hubs being trialled across Australia as part of a $50.6 million

The economy is recovering with the unemployment rate at 5.6%, now lower than pre-pandemic levels, and the continued focus of this budget in ‘creating jobs’. The strategies to achieve this include investment in education, infrastructure projects and an extension of the highly successful 50% wage subsidy for hiring a new apprentice or trainee until March 2022. For businesses and job

Early childhood learning is incredibly important in shaping the education outcomes for the future. The Victorian Early Years Awards is a great way to provide recognition to those in the sector. Nominations are now open across seven categories. Winners in each category receive a grant of up to $15,000 towards their initiative or professional development. Finalists in each category are

PWR have always invested in their staff, providing qualification skills that can assist their employee’s career paths in the automotive, engineering and manufacturing industries. They currently have 30 apprentices on staff, supported by BUSY At Work, an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider. The Minister Di Farmer, along with Paul Miles (Managing Director for BUSY At Work), listened to the

An opportunity came up for Tyler to do a Scaffolding course through the Transition to Work program, and Tyler jumped at the chance. The Transition to Work program is an Australian Government initiative that assists young people aged 15-24 who have disengaged with education or employment. Tyler gained assistance through the program with funding to complete the scaffolding course, increasing

The impact of losing her job and the events of 2020 left Layla feeling low and unmotivated. She was soon referred to the Transition to Work program, delivered in her region by BUSY At Work. The Transition to Work program is an Australian Government initiative and aims to assist young people aged 15-24 who are finding it difficult to find

The program provides formal qualifications through traineeships and apprenticeships, as well as educating young people in the multitude of career paths available in the industry. It turns what can sometimes be a gap year straight out of high school, or a short term experience on a remote property into a genuine and life changing career opportunity. Established in 1824, AACo

The Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Equipping TAFE for our Future plan is available across Queensland while continuing to deliver free training for young Queenslanders under 25. Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the investment into TAFE and skills is critical to Queensland’s economic recovery plan. “Queensland is leading the way

  When his son Noah expressed interest in becoming a builder himself, helping out in the business during school holidays, Simon’s fatherly reaction was ‘finish year 12 first’. Which is what Noah did, during a very difficult 2020, he completed his QCE, and when he still expressed interest in becoming a builder Simon agreed to put him on as an

BUSY At Work is a part of The BUSY Group who provide a large range of supportive services to job seekers including: Australian Apprenticeship Support services, Disability Employment Services, Transition to Work (career pathway support for disengaged youth), No-cost training and work experience opportunities through Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs, Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers, to support persons over 45

BUSY At Work has been contracted to deliver the Industry Training Hub as part of a $50 million national program to assist regions with high levels of youth unemployment. The Maryborough area is one of ten regions in Australia to benefit from this program. The Industry Training Hub aims to improve the career opportunities for unemployed youth, focusing mainly on

With clients across Queensland’s commercial, industrial and government sectors, Multhana offer cost-effective and efficient solutions, underpinned by seasoned project management and industry knowledge. Joseph Wallace, current Director and Aboriginal descendent of the Jirrabal Rainforest people in the Atherton Tablelands and Juru people in Bowen, North Queensland, in partnership with CMBM Facility Services’ Managing Director, Mark Hohn, and Director, Damien Cann,

Great news for businesses looking to put on a new apprentice or trainee! The Australian Government has now announced the extension of the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) scheme , which offers a 50% Wage Subsidy incentive to keep apprentices working. Businesses can be eligible for up to $7,000 per quarter and a potential maximum amount of $28,000 for the 12

The Commonwealth Scholarships Program is an Australian Government initiative to support young people (aged 15-24) in designated regional areas with funding to undertake study and internship opportunities in their career path. Also eligible are ex Australian Defence Force personnel (of any age) who have exited within the last two years. The program offers up to $13,000 in funding with $5,000

Rheinmetall has offices and operations in Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra and its new headquarters is now at its new Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence manufacturing plant in Redbank, Queensland, south west of Brisbane. The facility currently has more than 350 employees and will grow to 450 as production of the new BOXER 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance vehicle commences in late 2022.

And it wasn’t just the boys lining up for the career path opportunities with Hastings Deering! The growing trend of young women entering the traditionally held male trades was evident with 6 women also starting new career pathways, born from an interest in engineering or mechanics. One of the newly signed female apprentices from Mackay Queensland, Nadia Beyer said “I

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

One organisation Beddown, who received a $5,000 donation from The BUSY Group Ltd, is partnering with Australia’s largest parking provider, Secure Parking to provide a pop-up bedding solution for the homeless, turning public car parks into sleeping facilities at night. An extended pilot trial will occur in Brisbane CBD initially, before rolling out to other parts of Australia.  More information

To celebrate the success of the varied courses that were delivered throughout the year (including Barbering & Hairdressing, Hospitality & Tourism, Business Administration, Retail, Construction and Cooking), this week BUSY At Work hosted a special awards ceremony and morning tea to thank all those involved who helped make it a success. “It’s been an extraordinary year with the pressures and

Today BUSY At Work (Australian Apprenticeship Services provider) and Axiom College (the Registered Training Organisation delivering the qualification) signed up three key team members to undertake a Certificate III in Cleaning Operations, with the plan that these core team members will become specialist trainers for the industry, employing staff within the business and in the industry. A further six team

The course, which was conducted on site at Kilcoy Motocross, assisted with construction projects including landscaping, replacing timber decks and more. Matthew Hayes, one of the participants in the course said he feels more confident in getting back into the workforce after being a single parent for the past five or so years, looking after his young daughter. Matthew used

Paul Miles, Managing Director for The BUSY Group who provide a range of skills and employment programs including Australian Apprenticeship Support services stated “We’re excited for the next chapter of Queensland’s recovery and welcome the investment in education and infrastructure that will create jobs for Queenslanders, particularly in the construction, health and education sectors as well as the investment in

BUSY At Work, an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider and part of The BUSY Group who provide a range of programs and services to support skills and employment growth, are witnessing a phenomenal number of job vacancy opportunities in the last month or so and believe it is a result of the Australian Government’s stimulus package to support our economic

Eliza was chosen for the first scholarship intake in March 2020 to develop her passion for community services. The scholarship awards young Australians up to $5,000 a year, to study a vocational education and training (VET) qualification and $3,000 to complete an internship. Eliza completed her internship with the Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre (MEAC) in northern Victoria and gained

From the recent 2020/2021 budget, the Australian Government has announced initiatives to stimulate jobs and our economy. Included in this package was the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements which offers any employer (of any size or industry) a 50% wage subsidy when employing a new apprentice or trainee from October 5 2020 up until 31st March 2022. UPDATE: The previously capped 100,000

The key points in the 2020 Budget included: Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements In addition to the $2 billion spent on the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees  50% wage subsidy, an additional $1.2 billion has been committed for employers to place a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee, with the goal of 100,000 new and recommencing apprentices and trainees placed. Youth Employment JobMaker – $4 billion investment

While things have picked up since June this year, with SEEK reporting an increase in job vacancy advertising, there is no doubting it’s a tough job market. Finding secure work in an insecure and highly competitive environment can be difficult but knowing where to look and if required, how to re-skill to change careers will play to your advantage, with

While losing her job and income was a blow, Jessie had always wanted to be a hairdresser and in the past had completed a Certificate II Salon Assistant qualification. She decided now was the time to act. Working in the café, Jessie had gotten to know the salon owner Sue Syson of Urban Fringe, a hairdressing salon close by. So

Data from the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training shows there has been a 19% increase in female enrolments for trade courses in the automotive industry and a whopping 32% increase in engineering pathways. A recent Diesel Automotive course funded by the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program and delivered by BUSY At Work in partnership with TAFE

The results were mixed though with underemployment remaining high and Victoria’s lockdowns impacting the unemployment rate in that State. The ABS revealed that nationwide, 111,000 more people found employment between July and August. Of those 74,800 people found part time work and 36,200 people were employed full time. However the impacts of Covid-19 this year has seen 234,200 less people

Here are just a few examples of some extraordinary people in Australia with disability who are thriving in the work place! Dr Dinesh Palipana – Gold Coast Emergency Doctor In 2010, on a car trip from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, Dinesh Palipana’s car spun out of control in the wet and the resulting accident left him with a spinal

Not all disabilities are visible and with 1 in 5 Australians experiencing disability at some point in their lives, chances are we work alongside colleagues with disability, or have lived with disability ourselves. With that being said, how accessible is your workplace for those with disability? Ensuring an inclusive workplace makes good business sense, with access to a larger pool

Did you know 1 in 5 people in Australia is living with disability yet only 54% of those are employed? It’s a statistic that needs referring to because with ever-growing skills shortages, there is an untapped workforce that deserves looking at more closely. Not just to fill skills gaps but to potentially increase productivity, boost staff morale and lessen staff

As highlighted by Paralympian and world tennis star Dylan Alcott’s campaign ‘Remove the Barrier’ , which aims to highlight the invisible barrier that persons with disability often experience when looking for work, less focus needs to be on the disability and more on a person’s ability to perform the role. Oliver Hunter, who features in Dylan Alcotts campaign says it well,

Update: We had two overall winners in the Queensland State Training Awards. Big congratulations to Hastings Deering (Large Employer of the Year for Queensland) and Braden Hellmuth (Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year for Queensland)! A huge congratulations to all our apprentices, trainees and local Queensland employers who took out awards for their regions at this years’ regional Queensland Training

There is no doubting times are tough for many of us right now with over a million Australians currently out of work due to Covid. This ridiculously persistent and pesky bug has rocked the whole world right now, including business, but where some industries are laying off, there are just as many who are requiring staff – and right now.