September Edition

Welcome to the September 2022 edition of the South East Region DESBT Connections.

Our Connections newsletter is designed to provide our stakeholders with links and updates on information which is relevant to our region.

In September, we celebrated excellence in training at the State Queensland Training Awards.  See below for more information about these awards and how you and your networks can get involved in 2023.

The Queensland Workforce Strategy was launched in September. The Queensland Government has released a ten-year plan to address workforce shortages which would see all Queenslanders who want to work, supported into good jobs.

Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 will deliver programs to help all Queenslanders get a good job and connect businesses with new workers.

Programs will focus on five areas including increasing workforce participation, developing local solutions, supporting school to work transitions, attracting and retaining workers and skilling Queenslanders now and into the future.

September also saw the release of Paving the Way - First Nations Training Strategy to develop skills relevant to the local needs of First Nations people and their communities. 

Paving the Way – the First Nations Training Strategy is an important step in changing how government works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to develop and deliver training and skilling opportunities for the jobs of the future.

October is Safe Work Month and Indigenous Business Month. October also includes Mental Health Week which is 8/10 - 16/10.

Feel free to forward this newsletter to your networks.

Brett Haagsma

Regional Director, South East Region 

Department of Employment, Small Business and Training

P: 1800 210 210  E: southtraining@desbt.qld.gov.au  W: desbt.qld.gov.au

Queensland Training Awards - State Finals

There’s something for everyone with programs covering topics like good work design, incident preparedness, creating a positive culture around workplace safety and wellbeing and more.   
To learn more, access events or view resources to promote Safe Work Month, visit WorkSafe.qld.gov.au. 

Strengthen your small business with a new online training course for work health and wellbeing
The rise of COVID-19 brought unprecedented financial and emotional pressures to many workplaces, particularly small businesses. These pressures can have a major impact on work health, safety and wellbeing.   

The work health and wellbeing interactive course has four modules that focus on how to embed work health and wellbeing intobusiness systems to improve the health of your workers and workplaces.   

Small business owners, managers, health and wellbeing coordinators, human resources staff and health and safety advisors will all benefit from this course.  

Head to the Work Safe website to grow your skills around how to integrate work health, safety and wellbeing into your small business. 

Indigenous Business Month is an annual celebration that occurs every October and 2022 marks its 8th year. Indigenous Business Month shines a light on the growing ranks of successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across Queensland. 

This year’s theme is ACTIONS TODAY, IMPACT TOMORROW to inspire the next generation of First Nations business leaders. During all of October, First Nations business owners and their non-Indigenous allies are collectively called upon to gather online, and in the community to look at our actions today, and how they will impact our tomorrow.

Queensland has a thtriving Indigenous business sector and we want Indigenous businesses across the state to tap into opportunities to supply their goods and services in the lead up to and after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Visit the Indigenous Business Month website for more information and keep an eye out for events happening near you by visiting 2022 EVENTS - Indigenous Business Month.

The Gold Coast Indigenous Business Connect event is a connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, industry, executive stakeholders and government representatives.

We will come together to celebrate Indigenous Business Month for:

• On Country experience, at the monument honouring Jenni Graham
• Sharing Indigenous Businesses and People opportunities
• Promoting Indigenous Businesses
• Participate in business-to-business networking
• Celebrating Indigenous Culture 
• Showcase Indigenous Business Connect 21-22

When:       Tuesday,  11 October 2022
Time:         9.00am - 11.30am
Where:      HOTA - Outside stage
          ​        135 Bundall Road
                  Bundall

RSVP:      6 October 2022

Registration is quick and easy, and will help ensure your invoice is paid within 20 calendar days.

Future-proof your business with an online Business Planning Course, delivered by University of the Sunshine Coast

Micro and small businesses form the foundation of the Australian economy, employing approximately 44 percent of the Australian workforce and contributing around one-third of Australia's GDP. As approximately 97 percent of Australian organisations are categorised as micro and small businesses it is critical that this industry sector is supported in being successful.

The Business Planning Course is free and designed to provide local business owners with a clear understanding of the key factors that underpin their success and are critical to their long-term survival.

Participating in this course, comprised of a series of workshops, provides a platform for business owners to survive and thrive by adopting and implementing strategic management principles, thereby lowering the rate of business failure.

NB: Businesses located outside of USC course locations are able to participate via registering to complete the course online.  All dates and course outlines are in the link below. This course compliments the Mentoring for Growth Program. Mentoring for Growth

The Business Planning Course is proudly supported by the Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training.

They will talk you through the key elements of a business plan, and how to best use it once you have one – so it doesn’t just sit in a drawer never to be seen again. It’s a great opportunity to learn and ask mentors any questions you have around business planning. 

Panelists: 
Roger Phare – M4G Mentor since 2019
Helen Cowley – M4G Mentor since 2007
Michael Wall – M4G Mentor since 2006
Paul Khan – M4G Mentor since 2020