More than 1500 Queenslanders assisted Back to Work

The Queensland Government’s assistance program for regional Queensland employers to take on new staff has put more than 1500 staff ‘Back to Work’. The $100 million Back to Work program has already assisted 1557 Queenslanders into jobs in the state’s regions, with another 300 applications pending assessment. Significantly, 541 of those assisted through Back to […]

$20,000 Youth Boost for extended until October

Youth Boost incentives

The Palaszczuk Government has extended its offer of $20,000 for employers hiring staff aged between 15 and 24 years in regional Queensland for another eight months. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the $20,000 Youth Boost employer support payment was provided under the Government’s $100 million Back to Work has helped more than 1800 people back into […]

Have your say: Jobs Queensland forums

discussion group

Have your say on how the Queensland government changes systems that affect your business at the upcoming Jobs Queensland forums.  Apprenticeship & Traineeship Forums In November 2016, the Positive Futures – Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Queensland Discussion Paper was launched, to discuss the current apprenticeship and traineeship system. Jobs Queensland is hosting forums to identify what […]

Nominate now for QLD Training Awards

Queensland Training Awards 2017

Nominations for the 2017 Queensland Training Awards are now open. The Queensland Training Awards are a great opportunity for Queensland-based retailers to showcase our industry’s learning and development programs and commitment to developing the skills of our staff. Also, nominating staff is an excellent way to reward any workers who have achieved success through participating […]

Queens Wharf mega-project commences

QUEENSLAND Destination Brisbane Consortium has finally taken possession of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development site to begin demolition and enabling works on its $3 billion world-class integrated resort. For the next several years, the consortium will transform the historic yet underutilised Queen’s Wharf Brisbane CBD site into a vibrant tourism and entertainment destination set to […]

Have your say on tourism workforce plans

Queensland Tourism Workforce Plan

Jobs Queensland is developing a Queensland Tourism Workforce Plan aimed at ensuring Queensland has a skilled workforce ready to support a growing and thriving tourism industry. To do this, Jobs Queensland are working with the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, and also inviting employers and employees to have their say […]

Employer incentives of $20,000 available now in regional QLD

Youth Boost incentives

Don’t miss out! Remember that Queensland employers have an additional incentive to hire local young people this festive season. As announced in early November, the Queensland Government is offering a offering a $20,000 kick-back for regional businesses who hire unemployed youths as part of their Back to Work ‘Youth Boost’ Program. The offer applies to […]

Businesses warned to be wary of counterfeit cash

UPDATE: In the last 24 hours, the National Retail Association has heard from members right across Australia, not just Queensland, with sightings of counterfeit $50 and $100 notes in Victoria and New South Wales. We urge all retailers to inform your staff, read our tips below, and to inform your local police or Crimestoppers should […]

Last days to apply for digital grants

If you’re part of a small business in Queensland, it’s a good time to purchase software and get the training you need to use it. Until 9 December, the Queensland Government is offering small businesses matched funding of up to $10,000 for hardware, software and services as part of its Small Business Digital Grants Program. […]

Queensland advances with innovation hub

Advance Queensland is an initiative by the Queensland Government to provide a comprehensive suite of programs, based on international evidence of ‘what works’, designed to create the knowledge-based jobs of the future. The programs aim to drive innovation and position Queensland as a place where entrepreneurs, industry, universities and government collaborate to turn great ideas […]

Jobs QLD discussion paper released

Jobs Queensland has been established by the Queensland Government to provide strategic advice to the Government on future skills requirements, workforce planning and development issues and the apprenticeship and traineeship system in Queensland. There have been numerous reviews and reports into apprenticeships and traineeships, and agreement is that the apprenticeship and traineeship model – that […]

High demand for trained staff

Over the last 12 months, the NRA has delivered training to over 200 jobseekers through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program, and we are very pleased to report that almost 50% of these people have found employment in retail. Recently we asked for expressions of interest in hiring trainees from our members, and were overwhelmed […]

Message from the CEO: 24 October 2016

Dominique Lamb CEO National Retail Association

Retailers have reason to be hopeful of a very Merry Christmas in 2016, following the release of the Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Index (BSI) for September. The BSI – released late last week – was jam-packed with good news for retailers on the consumer spending front and this should act as a real shot in […]

Changes to the Queensland Retail Shop Lease Act

Amendments to the Queensland Retail Shop Lease Act 1994 (Qld) made earlier this year in May are due to come into effect from the 25th November 2016. The Queensland legislation sets mandatory minimum standards for retail shop leases in the state. Among other things, amendments to the Act will alter the definition of when a […]

NRA Board member chosen to provide strategic industry advice to Queensland Government

The Palaszczuk Government has announced an important element of its plan to create jobs and drive Queensland’s future economic prosperity.  Following a widely advertised expression of interest and a direct nomination process for representative roles, Minister for Training and Skills Yvette D’Ath has revealed the final composition of the members of Jobs Queensland. “Jobs Queensland […]

QLD retail development wins awards

Queensland’s Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, located on the Gold Coast, has taken out the Queensland Retail Property of the Year Award at the Property Council’s annual gala. Pacific Fair also took home the Excellence in Design Award and the Excellence in Marketing award on the night. Following a major $670 million redevelopment, which commenced in […]

Ready for Retail –MiHaven Cairns Program

This week we have completed our third Ready for Retail course delivered in conjunction with MiHaven in Cairns. Using our industry endorsed training program, MiHaven and the National Retail Association have trained seven participants in a Certificate II in Retail Services, giving them skills in customer service, visual merchandising, point of sale and how to […]

Skilling Queenslanders for Work – Ready for Retail

More than 200 jobseekers across Queensland will receive training this year through the National Retail Association as part of the Queensland Government’s successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. The program helps to assist Queenslanders across the state to get job-ready for Retail. We have already delivered to over 100 jobseekers through this program, with some […]

Back to Work Funding now available for Queensland members

Applications are now open for eligible employers to access the Queensland Government’s Back to Work Employer Support Payments. This $100 million Back to Work regional jobs package specifically targets jobseekers and employers outside the southeast corner of Queensland and includes payments of $10,000 for employers who hire an unemployed worker, rising to $15,000 for the […]

Retail sales improve as temperatures plummet

South-east Australia has recently seen temperature plummet with wild weather bringing howling winds and light snow showers, even in the sunshine state of Queensland. Heaters have been dusted off and ugg boots finally seeing the light of day with weeks of winter chill predicted. Retailers however, should not start dreaming of summer just yet. The […]