A growing partnership between the Intelligent Polymer Research Centre (IPRI) and the Wollongong Science Centre & Planetarium, is providing a number of opportunities to engage communities and schools in research being undertaken on their doorstep. The iDome: a new exhibition launched during National Science Week allows school students and visitors to the Science Centre to have a personal tour inside the IPRI research labs at the Innovation Campus.
It is the first stage of an exhibit looking at Nanomaterials for Energy. It gives a window into the research world from the comfort of the Science Centre. The exhibit is living and tangible. It provides an insight into research activities going on right now and in a building you can see as soon as you emerge from the Science Centre.
It allows people to get a 180-degree view inside the IPRI laboratories, including a guided tour of the labs by senior researcher Dr Simon Moulton and demonstrations and animations of the research being carried out. There are even plans to possibly install a live video feed into the exhibition so that people can watch scientists conducting this amazing research as it happens.
Do it for fun, fitness or charity…
Illawarra’s favourite summer community fitness event and Australia’s largest event of its type, The Australia Day Illawarra Aquathon is championing businesses to begin organising teams for the coming 2010 Australia Day Illawarra Aquathon – Tuesday 26 January at Wollongong Harbour
2010 marks the events 12th edition that draws hundreds of participants of all ages and standards. The event is billed as a fun ‘splash and dash’, beginning with a swim in protected waters of Wollongong Harbour, before swapping goggles for joggers, and heading out for the run section or buddy up as a tag team participant and do one section each.
Categories include individual age U10 years to 60yrs and over, with teams across juniors, open, masters, parent and child and corporate.
Illawarra businesses are being challenged to encourage staff, family and friends and join the health fun action on Australia Day. ‘The event offers businesses a fantastic opportunity to encourage staff health and fitness, team building, and also a family event’. The corporate team section allows businesses to compete in their own category in male, female and mixed teams’
Businesses are also encouraged to sponsor entrants whom sign up to ‘aquathon for charity’ with fund raising going towards charity of choice Anglicare Illawarra services or one of their own choice via www.everydayhero.com.au/aquathon
Courses:
- Kids Aquafun: 200m swim + 2km run
- Short Aqua: 400m swim + 3km Run
- Long Aqua: 900m swim + 7km run
COMPREHENSIVE EVENT INFORMATION & ONLINE ENTRY:
Incentives to Employ Apprentices
ABL Apprenticeship Centre Assistance
Jenny Hirst, Consultant with Australian Business Limited can organise the paperwork for any apprentices or trainees companies may be employing in the future.
Also there is a new incentive for employers hiring apprentices in skills shortage trades which were only announced on October 16..
This is called Apprentice Kickstart Bonus
There will be an extra $850 @ 3 months for employers who commence an apprentice in a skills shortage trade from 1st of December 2009 until 28th February 2010 if the Apprentice is 19 years or under, there is also an extra $2,500 at the 9 month mark as well as the usual incentives. In total it is an extra $3,350 on top of the $5,000 they would normally receive.
If anyone has any questions Jenny would be happy to answer them. For further details contact
Jenny Hirst
Consultant
Australian Business Limited Apprenticeships Centre
89 Market Street
Wollongong NSW 2500
Tel: 1300 652 236 | Fax: 02 4229 6392 |Mobile: 0409 110 296
www.ablac.com.au
Water industry seeks 40,000 long-term employees
The Australian water industry is keen to recruit 40,000 trained water professionals within a decade, to ensure Australian households continue receiving clean, fresh water, according to the CEO of the Australian Water Association, Tom Mollenkopf
Mollenkopf, who is also Chair of the Water Skills Taskforce, told the launch of National Water Week in Canberra that 80,000 people currently work in the industry, but a large percentage of them are over 50 years of age.
“Retirement and normal attrition will see 40,000 vacancies by 2018.
“The good news, especially for young Australian men and women, is that the water industry will provide diverse opportunities in the professions and trades in both the private and public sectors."
Mollenkopf also launched the H2Oz careers in water campaign to encourage people to both seek and embark on careers in the water sector.
“In the national water industry, people can work in urban, regional or rural locations. We need people in engineering science, all manner of trades, customer service, planning, accounting, IT and human resources,” Mollenkopf said.
“Participants can directly contribute to improving environmental and public health outcomes in an industry that is fun to work in,” he said.
“We are fortunate to have some of the best and brightest right here in our backyard, ensuring the delivery of clean, safe, secure water, at the turn of a tap, to the majority of Australians. Our countrymen and women are recognised internationally, bringing home major awards that recognise their sought-after skills, knowledge and expertise,” Mollenkopf said.
“To maintain and enhance this reputation, the industry must ensure provision of the education, skills and experience for the next generation of water professionals, so the sector attracts the best and brightest.”
Mollenkopf said the campaign would rely significantly on its website http://www.h2oz.org.au/ through which interested people can convert interest into action by receiving:
- general information on the water industry and the H2Oz campaign;
- job listings;
- information on specific job types, including advice on skills needed and what courses to take to pursue a particular career; and
- videos, case studies, interviews and photos showcasing the industry and the many opportunities it offers.
The Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net)
Would like to invite you to
The i3net Members Meeting
On
Tuesday 10 November 2009 - Commencing at 8.30 am
Venue and Host – David Brown Gear Industries
13 – 19 Franklin Avenue, Bulli
Presentation - Madeleine Trussell, Advisor – Workplace Relations, Australian Industry Group
“Executive Briefing on the critical aspects of the Fair Work Act”.
Topics covered in the briefing are: Key Changes to Dismissal Laws / National Employment Standards / Enterprise Bargaining
Presentation – Peter Kilmurray, David Brown, After Market Director.
TOUR – of David Brown Gear’s facilities will be available after the presentation
PPE - all persons are required to wear covered in footwear appropriate for the workshop
(flat heels for the ladies) ~ David Brown Gear will supply safety glasses.
All i3net Members and Guests welcome.
Morning Tea is provided.
RSVP - Sandy Haig - i3net Network Co-ordinator by Thursday 5th November 2009
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