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Queensland regions experiencing recession level unemployment

January 10, 2010 Employment News by Administrator Edit

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has called for a 're-shuffling' of the Federal Government’s stimulus after a report on regional unemployment.

According to the Australian Development Strategies’ Regional Unemployment Index, 10 out of 14 Queensland regions were experiencing recession levels of unemployment growth in the 12 months to September.

In Cairns alone 13.8 per cent of the regional workforce were unemployed, the report found.

LGAQ president, Cr Paul Bell said the report, sponsored by the association as a service to its member councils, found a number of regions in Queensland needed special attention, particularly Cairns.

“With the rise in the dollar and a continuing fall in inbound tourism, conditions could get far worse,” he said.

The report also documents serious unemployment in Mt Isa, Townsville, Wide Bay/Burnett, Central Queensland, northern parts of the Gold Coast and Logan and blue-collar commuter regions around Brisbane.

“My understanding is that $14 billion of the [Federal Government's] stimulus package remains to be spent in Queensland in the six months to June 30 next year," Cr Bell said.

"It’s needed far more in certain areas than others, so there’s a good case for a re-shuffle of the spending."

According to the report, Brisbane City, the southern Gold Coast, Ipswich, the South-West and the Darling Downs are doing relatively well.

Cr Bell said the report stated that unemployment would continue to rise among younger, more mobile families for another six months.

Courtesy of the Government News

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Pre-Employment Training Program

January 09, 2010 Employment News by Administrator Edit

Our Strategy

To improve communication with employers, signposting funded skills training with the best providers, and raising ambition and investment in skills.
To improve communication with employees and entrants, helping them to understand and use the links between skills acquisition and career development.
To facilitate the attraction and matching of skilled employees and good employers, building the self-esteem and loyalty of our workforce.

This will lead to improved customer experiences, employee engagement and retention.

1300 795 605

So what does the EziStaff Pre-employment Training programme consist of?
The programme consists of two weeks classroom training, then a one week work experience assignment. You may gain employment at any stage of the programme. Employers can only ask you to attend work experience with the possibility of ongoing employment at its completion.

Who is the EziStaff Pre-Employment Training programme aimed at?
Pre-employment skills are suitable for people who have not worked in a customer service related industry but are looking to secure an entry level job. It is also relevant for those who have been out of work for a while, returning to work, or career changers.

Why attend a Pre-employment course instead of just trying my luck to get a job in the industry?
If you are new to the industry or you have been out of it for a while, you will find that a lot of things have changed. With pre-employment training, you will have the relevant skills NOW to use in today’s competitive jobs market.

10 things you really should know about renting in Queensland

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10 things you really should know about renting in Queensland

January 07, 2010 Employment News by Administrator Edit

The 10 things you really should know about renting in Queensland

1. The safest way to rent in Queensland is to have a formal rental agreement (see below). These agreements are regulated by the Residential Tenancy Authority (RTA) - a part of the State Government which dictates the rights and responsibilities of tenants (you) and lessors (owners, real estate agents or managers). To have a formal agreement, when you move in you should:

Have a lease or tenancy agreement. This sets out the shortest length of the tenancy, how much and when you will pay your rent and any other conditions placed on you living at the premises;

Submit bond money. Usually equivalent to 4 weeks rent, this will be returned to you at the end of your tenancy provided you return the property in the same condition as you found it, and you don't owe any rent money. Bond money must be lodged with the RTA; your lessor should do this on your behalf;

Fill in an Entry Condition Report - describes the condition of the house or unit when you moved in.

2. Leases or Tenancy Agreements are legally binding. By signing a lease you are agreeing to pay a set amount of money for a set amount of time, as described on your lease. It is very hard to get out of a lease.

3. Application forms (used to apply to live in a house or unit advertised by a Real Estate Agent) may also be considered to be legally binding. Check with your Real Estate Agent/s before submitting two or more applications at once.

4. Fill in the Entry Condition Report carefully. Check all of the lights and power points, the stove, hot water heater and taps. Check window locks and the glass for cracks. Record any scratches on counter tops, stove tops, flooring. Check the flooring too for stains and marks.

5. Try to return the premises in the same condition as you got it (fair wear and tear excepted):

contact your lessor if any of the fixtures of the property (eg stove, hot water heater) stop working. It is up to your lessor to arrange and pay for a repair person;
always get written permission before you make any changes - remember that some real estate agents even document the number of picture hooks in walls.

repair or report any damage as soon as possible. In clear cases (eg damage caused by a party) you will have to pay for the repairs, but not reporting it will only mean that you wont get all of your bond money when you move out.

6. Get receipts every time you hand over money - whether it is for rent, a deposit or bond money. You should receive a receipt from the lessor when you give them your bond money, then a receipt from the RTA when your lessor lodges the money with them. Make sure you contact the RTA if you do not receive your RTA receipt within a month of moving in.

7. Try to always communicate with your lessor in writing (even if you have a verbal discussion with your lessor follow this up with a letter 'eg. As we agreed today...') and keep records or all your correspondence.

8. All tenants of a house or unit should be named as the tenant or approved occupants on the lease. Anyone who pays bond money should be listed on the last Bond Receipt. If you do make changes to your household, seek written permission from your lessor first and arrange with them to have the lease updated. If bond money is being exchanged, take five minutes to fill in a short form (which you can collect from any post office or the Accommodation office on campus) - it could save you a lot of time and trouble in the future.

9. Your lessor has responsibilities too; to give you a written lease and lodge your bond money with the RTA and to repair (within reasonable time) the fixtures and appliances that came with the house/unit (if they have broken down, not been damaged by the tenants). The lessor must also give you warning if they wish to enter your dwelling (24 hours to make routine repairs, 7 days to inspect) and must leave you to the quiet enjoyment of your home.

10. You must give 2 weeks notice in writing if you want to end your tenancy, even if this coincides with the end of your lease.