Business bulletin: 23 February 2023

Caption: Charlies of Darwin Events Manager, Hayley Wynn

A Territory business delegation will head to the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland next month as part of the next phase of the Global Worker Attraction Program.

The Global Worker Attraction Program includes in country information sessions targeting workers to move to the Territory as well as a marketing campaign.

The program is designed to raise the profile of the Territory and promote it as a desirable place to live and work. It is also designed to expand the Territory workforce by developing a pipeline of people interested in living and working here.

From 8 to 14 March the Northern Territory Government led delegation will deliver skilled and semi-skilled worker information sessions in Cork, Birmingham, Manchester and Dublin in support of all Territory sectors impacted by critical workforce shortages.

The information sessions will connect employers with workers and give job seekers all the information they need to succeed in the Territory job market.

UK expat and events manager at Charlies of Darwin, Hayley Wynn said she was drawn to Darwin because of the easy going nature of the local people and the tropical vibes.

“Darwin is a land of opportunity, my message for job seekers in the UK is that the Northern Territory is a beautiful place to live and work”.

To assist businesses find new workers the Territory Government will launch a new Territory Worker Connect Portal.

Worker Connect is a multi-purpose online platform that manages a community of skilled people interested in working and living in the Territory.

The platform enables businesses to search the talent pool for potential workers to post their job vacancies for free. Job seekers will also be able to upload their CVs to the portal for free.

To find out more about the Global Worker Attraction Program, go to The Territory website.

The Territory’s tourism industry is gearing up for the upcoming peak tourism season with 2 national campaigns launched last week encouraging Australian’s to holiday in the Northern Territory (NT).

Seek Different is Tourism NT’s annual brand campaign, keeping the NT front of mind as a holiday destination for Australian’s intending to travel domestically in 2023.

While Road Trip Differently is Tourism NT’s latest drive campaign, designed to inspire Australians who want to fly-drive or self-drive on their next holiday to the Territory.

Primarily targeting 18+ Australian interested in road trips and adventure, the drive campaign is also targeting a secondary audience of families, breaking down the barriers typically associated with undertaking a road trip with children.

To view deals and offers as well as a downloadable NT drive guide and bookable drive itineraries, go to the Northern Territory website.

The 2 campaigns are in market across Australia, running up to May 2023 with cinema, television and print advertising in addition to promotion on social, digital and YouTube channels.

To get involved, download the industry toolkits, from the Tourism NT website, which feature a range of assets and key messages that you can use to spread the word:

• 2023 Seek Different campaign industry toolkit
• 2023 Drive campaign industry toolkit.

The Northern Territory Government has extended the timeframe for Aboriginal entities to register to access the transitional arrangements under the Aboriginal procurement policy until 31 March 2023.

From the 1 April 2023, tenderers must be able to evidence certification status at point of award. Only certified or transitioning (provisionally certified) Aboriginal entities will be recognised under the Aboriginal procurement policy.

The Aboriginal procurement policy is a targeted approach to increase Aboriginal business enterprises (ABE), community controlled organisations and Aboriginal Territorians to participate in procurement activities.

Under the policy, Aboriginal entities that want to participate in government procurement activities must be a certified or be a provisionally certified ABE.

Transitional arrangements are in place for Aboriginal entities that do not currently meet the definition of an ABE. Aboriginal entities that want to continue to be recognised as an ABE after 31 March 2023 for government procurement purposes must:

• become a member of the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN)
• sign a declaration to NTIBN declaring a commitment that the organisation intends to become a certified ABE
• develop a transition plan to become a certified entity with the NTIBN
• actively work to become a certified entity by 31 December 2023.

The NTIBN is recognised by the NT Government as the peak body for Aboriginal business enterprises in the NT, and are the only certifying authority providing transitional certification.

Transitioning arrangements under the Aboriginal procurement policy will cease on 31 December 2023.

For information about the NTIBN membership and transitioning requirements contact 1300 192 164 or email info@ntibn.com.au.

For further information abbot the Aboriginal procurement policy, go to the Northern Territory Government.

Territory workers looking to apply for a Northern Territory (NT) white card are advised to be wary of misleading businesses offering cheap white card courses online.

To work in the construction industry in the NT, workers must complete face-to-face general construction induction training delivered by an NT WorkSafe approved registered training organisation (RTO) and obtain a white card.

Online white card courses and courses not delivered by an approved RTO are not recognised by NT WorkSafe.

Lisa Taylor, Manager Licensing and Advisory Services said 37% of white card applications received over the past 4 months had to be rejected due to invalid certificates from these fake online training providers.

“Feedback from some people on why they chose these online courses included it was cheaper than the face-to-face training or they didn’t want to waste time and sit in a training room.”

“Unfortunately you can’t take shortcuts when it comes to safety,” Ms Taylor said.

Employers are reminded to thoroughly inspect every white card being presented to ensure that workers have completed the acceptable training before performing construction work.

For a list of approved RTOs to deliver white card training in the NT, go to the NT WorkSafe website.

Read more information about white cards on the NT WorkSafe website.

Two new VET cyber security courses have been launched to support Territorians to upskill their digital knowledge and to forge new employment pathways for jobs of the future.

The programs are delivered in partnership between the Australian Government, the Northern Territory Government and Charles Darwin University. The $3.2 million partnership includes funding for courses, scholarships and cyber trainee opportunities.

The partnership funds 100 places in a new Certificate IV in Cyber Security. This course provides practical training in identifying security vulnerabilities, analysing and responding to cyber incidents, securing devices, network security and programming.

Fee-free places are available to eligible people which includes women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and regional and remote Territorians.

There is also a new Certificate in Cyber Management short course. The 3 month course will help businesses and organisations be better protected against cyber threats by developing skills in cyber risk management and staff awareness.

The partnership funds 200 places in the short course. Sixty fee-free places available to those working in regionally-based organisation or Aboriginal enterprises across the Territory.

For more information on both courses, go to the Charles Darwin University website.