In January, Tasmania Together released its annual report card on Tasmania – the 2008 Snapshot of Progress. The snapshot shows how the State is going on key Tasmania Together indicators. Up-to-date benchmark information is always available at www.ttbenchmarks.com.au

The March edition of TT eNews features Goals 9 and 10 which, when combined, have a focus on business, employment and the economy - very relevant with the current global financial situation. 

Take a look at some of our partners' activities in the TT Partner News section below, with activities contributing to a wide range of Tasmania Together goals and benchmarks and the State’s progress in general.

If you have any suggestions for content that you would like to see, articles you want to submit or regular topics you would like us to cover, please email us at: secretariat@tasmaniatogether.tas.gov.au

Signing of the Partnership Agreement between Sustainable Living Tasmania and Tasmania Together by Bob Campbell, Chair - Tasmania Together and Margaret Steadman, Executive Officer - Sustainable Living Tasmania

Goal 9: Increased work opportunities for all Tasmanians

Progress is being made on some benchmarks, in particular workforce participation and the extent of under-employment. In current economic times it will be important to maintain progress in these areas.

There is work to be done around some benchmarks, including pay parity for women and Tasmanian’s in general.

Goal 10: Thriving and innovative industries driven by a high level of business confidence

Improvements are being made in some important areas including growth in the number of small businesses, Tasmania’s credit rating, increased investment in Tasmania and an increase in visitor numbers. It is important to maintain and continue progress, especially in the present economic climate.

Areas for improvement include research and development expenditure and employment in science, technology, research and development.

Go to the Tasmania Together website to find more information about these goals.

Youth Challenge Launch:  28 March 2009

Planning for the 2009 Tasmania Together Youth Challenge (TTYC) is now well underway. The competition will be launched on March 28 in Burnie. Watch this space for more details about the competition, including:

• How to enter
• Where to go to find detailed information eg terms and conditions
• Prizes on offer

Become a fan on Facebook or a friend on MySpace to keep up with what is happening. Check out the website to learn about what we asked you to do for the 2008 TTYC – www.ttyouthchallenge.com.au

The Tasmania Together Youth Challenge promotes Goal 5 Standard 5: A valued role in community life for Tasmania’s young people now and in the future.

The competition asks young people to think about what they want for their future and to express this in creative ways.

 

SCOPE Local Community Partnership interviewed Mark Wild, General Manager of Novaris, in January 2009.

As part of the Powercom Group, Novaris is a client-focused manufacturing operation that designs and produces lightning and power surge protection devices, with their market concentrated in Southeast Asia.

Novaris is an innovative problem solving business that takes on design tasks that others find too difficult. Not only does that give them a ‘can do’ reputation, it also allows them to market their products to other clients who are likely to experience the same problems.

The Powercom Group comprises four high-tech business units:

• Powercom Consultants evaluate client needs, design the equipment and manage the project;  
• Novaris build the electronic equipment to exacting world standards;
• Powercom Systems build the infrastructure that make it all work;
• Datacall Telemetry use mobile phone technology to control remote systems. 

The Powercom Group currently employs 65 people at its Kingston operation and is looking at increasing offshore manufacturing to take advantage of more competitive manufacturing costs in Southeast Asia, coincidentally where their market is strongest.  This will free up Tasmanian personnel to take on more research and development to design innovative new products and systems.  For example, the Group is developing a cellular phone network telemetry system to control a range of in-field automation systems for primary industry. 

The Powercom Group is expanding.  Mark sees a very positive future for the Company.

                                             
SCOPE and the Powercom Group work towards Goal 10: Thriving and innovative industries driven by a high level of business confidence.

The next issue of HoroSCOPE, SCOPE’s Career magazine, will focus on the ElectroTechnology industry.   HoroSCOPE is available on the SCOPE website www.scopetas.com.au

    Colony 47 is a Tasmania Together Partner contributing to Goals 1, 2, 4 and 5.

 

The Knowledge to Business (k2b) program seeks to address the lack of marketing knowledge and know-how within the Tasmanian ICT and Science and Technology industries.

A graduate employment and skills development program, k2b started in 2004, specifically developed for ICT businesses. The program is open to both Tasmanian based ICT companies and Science and Technology companies.

The program provides practical, hands on experience for graduates, at the same time offering invaluable support and guidance. So far the k2b program has given 34 graduates the opportunity to start their marketing careers in Tasmania, with many still employed by their original sponsor companies.

k2b’s primary objective is to increase the understanding of the importance that marketing plays in growing a Tasmanian ICT business and to give those companies that participate the tools and knowledge so that this can be done in-house.

See www.k2b.com.au for further details.

The k2b marketing graduate program works towards Goal 9: Increased work opportunities for all Tasmanians.

Careers Week 16 – 20 March 2009

Each year during Careers Week, the Careers and Employment Service run a variety of career-related activities and events across all campuses, culminating with the Careers and Law Fairs. Students from all disciplines, years of study and all campuses, are invited.

The 2009 Careers Fair at UTAS provides an ideal opportunity for businesses to promote career opportunities and meet face-to-face with prospective applicants. See below for details and how to register your organisation.

For further information or to register online visit:
www.studentservices.utas.edu.au/careers/services_employers.html

 Careers Week - Employer Information Sessions

You can request to hold an on-campus employer information session by completing the relevant section of the 2009 Careers Fair & Law Fair Registration Form.  Alternatively, you can complete the relevant sections of the Request for Careers Services Form located on our Services for Employers webpage. 

For further information contact Sonia Jessup on 03 6226 2511 or email Sonia.Jessup@utas.edu.au

Careers Week works towards Goal 9: Increased work opportunities for all Tasmanians.

 

Phone Survey for Kids Come First

The Kids Come First project is developing new ways to measure the health, wellbeing and educational progress of our kids. Accurate information in these areas is needed to progress relevant Tasmania Together goals.

See the Flyer for more information.

2009 Conservation & Land Management Adopt a School Program

Conservation and Land Management – Put Yourself in the Picture

No matter what sort of things you like doing, or what you want to achieve, a career in Conservation and Land Management has a lot to offer. You might be a practical, hands on sort of person, or someone looking to become involved in planning for the future... have a look at what’s on offer. Whether you want to really make a difference or you just like working outdoors, there’s a career to suit you.

Want to find out more about jobs in this area? To put yourself in the picture, join us in late March on a three day discovery tour around greater Hobart and see if we can’t discover a job that appeals to you. Speak to your Pathway Planning Officer or Careers Guidance Teacher to register your interest.

For more information phone:

• Tom Giblin from SCOPE LCP - 6245 7816 or
• Roger Tyshing from Rural Skills Australia - 0438 514 560
• Or visit the SCOPE website
  
  

Tasmanian Regional Arts - Wanted: Regional arts projects needing funds

Tasmanian artists and communities seeking funding for arts and cultural project activities should check out the 2009 Regional Arts Fund Program announced recently.

Executive Director for Tasmanian Regional Arts, Paul Jenkins, is keen to hear from potential applicants.
“Artists, artsworkers and community members continue to dream up fabulous projects that often require external assistance. TRA is keen to help make some of these dreams come through and so we remain grateful for the support of the Commonwealth Government in continuing this partnership with TRA.”

The Regional Arts Fund has supported regional artists and community participation in the arts since 1996. In 2009, TRA will again be delivering the RAF program on behalf of the Commonwealth Government in Tasmania through three discreet funding categories: quick response grants up to $1,500 in value; small grants of up to $5,000 and major grants for projects requiring funds up to $10,000.

"RAF has a long and successful history of funding arts projects in this state. Successful prior applicants range from larger scale arts projects undertaken by organisations such as Big HArt and Streets Alive through to individual artists gaining assistance to attend the 2008 Regional Arts Australia National Conference in Alice Springs” Mr Jenkins added.

Potential applicants can discuss their proposals with one of Tasmanian Regional Arts Development Officers located in Latrobe, Launceston and Hobart.

Applications for quick response grants can be made at any time. The other two categories of funding require applications that need to be received by TRA no later than Monday 16 March 2009.

Application forms and an information pack are available from the TRA website or on request from TRA by calling 6426 2344.

Tasmanian Regional Arts is a Tasmania Together partner and contributes to Goals: 3, 4 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11