Pilbara Small Business update (Revised December, 2008)
The PDC is working with key stakeholders in the development of a range of strategies in the areas of accommodation, workforce development and eBusiness which will assist in small business development throughout the Pilbara. These were three of the most critical areas of need identified through the Pilbara Small Business Survey.
Affordable Accommodation
The PDC is working with key agencies such as LandCorp, the Department of Housing and Works and Foundation Housing Limited (FHL) in developing affordable housing and land solutions.
Contact: John Verbeek 91850603
Kids Matter Family Day Care Project
This project has delivered 15 new Family Day Care businesses providing up to 105 additional childcare places in the Pilbara. A further 4 families are going through the application process and will potentially provide another 28 places.
Contact: Carolyn Biar 91850602
Indigenous Contractors Workshop
The PDC hosted a workshop in Hedland on February 6, 2008, the purpose of which was to identify Indigenous employment, business and enterprise opportunities and strategies and initiatives that would support compliance and sustainability. A number key tasks and actions were recommended.
Contact: Lee Sweeney 91738400
Volunteer Project
The PDC is working with key stakeholders to develop strategies to increase volunteering in the Pilbara. The commission is developing a website which will aid in recruitment and support of volunteers in the Pilbara. It is also establishing an alliance of industry, government, community bodies which will share responsibility for creating solutions to address volunteerism issues.
Contact: Carolyn Biar 91850602
Develop strategies to attract and retain staff.
Two workshop sessions were offered during the Riding the Boom Conference 2008.
The PDC is working with the Pilbara Division of General Practice in investigating strategies to attract and retain Doctors to the Pilbara.
Career Expos
The PDC sent representatives to Sydney & Brisbane as part of the Western Australian 'Go West Now' contingent to promote the Pilbara region at the National Employment and Careers Expo 2008. The PDC participated in Pilbara career expos with a stand to promote recruitment in the state public service.
PDC administration of regional migration schemes
During the 2007/2008 financial year the Commission certified a total of 78 applications. Candidate numbers in each application ranged from one to 32 positions. Of the total 78 certified applications, 20 were Regional Long Stay Temporary Business (Subclass 457) visas, 57 were Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visas, and 1 Business Sponsorship visa (now not available).
Contact: Adam Jones 91738400
Pilbara Workforce Development Strategy
The PDC will take a lead role in establishing a peak stakeholder group by the end of Q4, 2008, to examine the issues around industry and community skills needs. This may encompass the assessment of regional economic and labour market dynamics, the assessment of factors affecting labour supply to the region and development of projections of future labour requirements culminating in the preparation of workforce development strategies.
Contact: John Verbeek 91850603