Makuru in Full Swing
July is here and true to form the last month of Makuru is set to be the coldest and the wettest so far this year.
July school holidays are now underway. With a very wet and wintery start to the week combined with impacts of the recent lockdown in Perth it seems that ripples of the impact to Perth businesses may be experienced in South West. Local businesses are reporting cancellations for booked events and conferences as well as impact to tour bookings and hospitality numbers. What we have historically seen in the South West is that a Perth COVID lockdown will generally have a 3-week lag on the businesses in our region. If your business is impacted, please reach out to the Chamber to discuss.
Every July NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) peoples. This year's NAIDOC theme Heal Country is both a celebration and a call to action for all of us. This year BGCCI showed respect to NAIDOC by hosting an ATSI Jobs Fair event at the Chamber hosting 11 businesses and 13 job seekers. Our Working Together Coordinator attended the Bunbury NAIDOC Flag Raising and will be representing BGCCI at the Bunbury Entertainment Centre's NAIDOC movie night.
Rob Skipsey (BGCCI President) and I attended the Regional Chambers of Commerce conference in Perth from the 17-18 June. We were provided an opportunity to meet with several ministers from both the State Government and Opposition and discuss the challenges facing our members and local business communities. It was interesting to see that despite the diversities between our regions, across all 9 regions represented by 24 different Chambers of Commerce, the challenges facing us are very similar: skills shortages, accommodation shortages and demand for greater preferencing for regional WA. BGCCI continue to work on several initiatives in the area of Jobs and Skills, both in terms of raising awareness of the career paths that are available for our youth. Providing opportunities to match up businesses and job seekers while building skill and capability in both parties to approach things differently or from a different perspective.
We have received notification that the Direct Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) that was submitted to Home Affairs in early June has progressed to the Ministers office for review, with a decision expected to be released imminently. We are also excited to announce publicly that the date for the SW Future Jobs and Skills Forum has been set for the 28 September 2021. The inaugural event will be held at the BREC, hosting up to 50 exhibitors who will showcase how innovation is being implemented in their workplace. Exhibitors will be demonstrating the ways in which advances in technology, innovation, automation and artificial intelligence are changing the jobs and skills landscape in the South West. If you are interested in showcasing your business, please reach out to the Chamber for more information.
Our June Business After Hours event was hosted by Dale Alcock Homes South West at their Palmera display home in Dalyellup. South West Sales Manager, Ben Beven represented Dale Alcock Homes South West and shared with us the news of their new facilities currently being constructed to house Dale's team in the South West. The government incentives have certainly bolstered the building industry. With community concerns around labour, trades and suppliers, the team in the South West are proud of how they have managed the influx of building contracts and are confident in their ability to continue to deliver quality designed and constructed homes. If you are a tradesperson with a similar commitment to quality and looking for work, they would be keen to talk.
BGCCI Events - July
13 July Before 9: Activate New Clients
Learn tips and tricks to effectively communicate with potential clients 7.00am - 9.00am light breakfast included
21 July Lunch & Learn: Mare Legal Workwise Advisory - Managing Performance: Essential and Difficult
11.30 - 1.30pm light lunch included
21 July Business Focus - Innovation Series - Maker & Co - Innovation Concepts
Maker & Co - 75 Victoria St, Bunbury 5.00pm - 7. 00pm drinks and canapes provided
28 July Southern Cross Austereo - Business After Hours - Members Only Sundowner
5.15pm - 7.30pm
Now is a great time to join a growing and thriving community of like-minded businesses. For more information about how you can become a member contact the Chamber 9791 2292 or admin@bgcci.com.au
