Link: http://acetalentnet.com.au/enews/newsletmar08.html

Trust you enjoyed a relaxing Easter break and if anything like me have sworn off chocolate for the foreseeable future??? Making news this month starts with an article by the Adelaide Advertiser advising the Minister for Independent Contractors has announced that new legislation will be introduced that requires Govt Departments pay small business and independent contractors within 30 days of invoice or be charged penalties and interest. I'm sure you will agree this is a most positive step with many small businesses often frustrated by the time it takes to receive payment. For more details see the original press release here.

For those of you not aware, the RCSA (Recruitment & Consulting Services Assn) produces an informative quarterly survey of industry metrics to assist members in representing business needs to Australian & NZ Governments. Lack of suitable candidates remains the top concern followed by finding suitable recruitment staff with the state of the economy now coming in at 3rd place. Issues of most concern by State are:

NSW: most concerned about state of the economy, financing growth and more concerned about employment legislation & OH&S issues
VIC: is more worried about financing growth and less concerned about the state of the economy and legal issues bout on-hired staff.
QLD: is less worried about financing growth, maintaining profits, price undercutting, industrial relations and OH&S issues
SA: is more worried about retaining and finding recruitment staff, maintaining profitability, industrial relations, workers compensation, employment legislation, legal issues about on=hired staff and immigration issues and less worried about financing growth
WA is more concerned about retaining suitable recruitment staff and less concerned with financing growth, restructuring industries, the cost of advertising, workers compensation, employment legislation and legal issues
NZ: is least worried about finding and retaining staff, price undercutting, the state of the economy and industrial relations and most worried bout lack of hiring intentions of client and restructuring industries.
The top 5 skills where biggest candidate shortages are experienced are: business professionals and non-building professional engineers, associates and technicians. These are followed by building professionals and electrical trades (building). Other trades also remain in short supply. The shortage of health professionals and nurses remains substantial as does the shortage of receptionists and telephonists. Visit our BLOG to get a more detailed breakdown of the December RCSA Survey.

Hope you all have a great month.

Deirdre Gruiters
Corporate Talent Agent

The Professional Edge Mar08

Link: http://www.collectivelearningaustralia.com/files/2008_aust_eb_summit1.pdf

Sydney 17 June 2008 - Melbourne 24 June 2008

How will your organisation develop an Employer Brand that keeps you ahead of the competition to attract, engage and retain talent in 2009 and beyond?

We invite you to join us at Australia's premier Employer Branding event.

Attend the 2008 Australian Employer Branding Summit to be held in Sydney on 17 June 2008 and Melbourne on 24 June 2008 to learn from leading Global and National employer brand specialists and companies who will share the latest in world's best practice Employer Brand strategy, design, implementation, communications and ROI assessment.

The Summit provides an ideal opportunity to get practical advice from employer brand specialists who partner with Top 100 companies and to learn the latest in world's best practice employer brand management. Each delegate receives a comprehensive toolkit including questionnaires, strategies and practical tips to guide your employer brand program on your return to the workplace.

aCE talentNET are proud to be associated with the Summit and are pleased to offer you a special bonus for delegates including a complimentary copy of the International best seller, Your Employer Brand attract-engage-retain by Brett Minchington and a copy of Brett's ASX150 Careers Website and Global Best Practice Guidelines Report - total value $288, until 25 May 08.

To redeem the special offer please enter "aCE talentNET" in the 'other attendees' section in the online booking form or at the top of page 2 of the registration form.

Register before 25/4/2008 and save $200.