SA Far North Region 2011-12 Workforce and Skills Audit

1.

Regional Development Australia Far North (RDAFN) is the key economic development agency for the Flinders Ranges and Outback regions (Far North) of South Australia. We liaise with businesses and industries, service providers, communities and various levels of government. Our functions include facilitating jobs growth, attracting investment into the region, administering a skilled migration program and generally assisting with the development of sustainable local and regional communities and economies (for further information see www.rdafn.com.au). Through this survey we are collecting and will collate data for use in administration, promotions, reporting, planning and other activities RDAFN undertakes.

SECTION ONE - Contact details (optional)
Providing these contact details may assist us in updating our business database, in identifying who has taken part in the survey or in linking you to programs of assistance or opportunities we become aware of. Any contact detail information you provide will be for RDAFN internal use only and will not be released externally to any third parties. However, we understand if you wish to complete this survey anonymously.

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* 1. Business name:

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* 2. Your name:

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* 3. Your position (eg. Manager)

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* 4. Business phone number:

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* 5. Business street address:

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* 6. Business postal address (if different to street address):

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* 7. Postcode of business

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* 8. Business email address:

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* 9. Website address:

SECTION TWO - Current position

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* 10. What industry is your business in? (eg. tourism, mining, retail etc)

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* 11. What are your main business activities? (eg. providing takeaway food and drink, running a Motel, plumbing etc)

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* 12. How many people do you employ in the Far North?

Number of casuals =

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* 19. What gaps in qualifications, skills or experience are common in your new employees?

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* 20. How do you normally address these 'gaps'? (tick relevant boxes)

On the job training

In-house short courses

On-line training

Off-site courses

Other (please describe)

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* 21. How many of your employees in our region are aboriginal/indigenous people?

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* 22. If applicable, what experiences, barriers or circumstances restrict you from employing more aboriginal/indigenous workers?

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* 23. As an owner/operator or manager of a business, identify any qualifications, skills or personal development training you require/need.

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* 24. If applicable, why do you think you have difficulty in retaining staff? (tick relevant boxes)

They don't adjust to being away from friends/relatives

There is little for them to do outside work in a remote environment

They have difficulty developing a social network outside work

They move to higher paid jobs

We need better management skills

High cost of living here

Other (please describe)

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* 25. What do you do to retain staff members? (tick relevant boxes)

Pay above award wages

Provide (or subsidise) accommodation

Provide opportunities for promotion or career development

Subsidise employee training or education to gain additional qualifications

Have flexible work practices (eg. flexi-hours or work from home) (please describe)

Other (please describe)

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* 26. What skills or services are missing in the region, meaning you have to use contractors/providers from outside the region?

SECTION THREE - Future opportunities

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* 27. What growth do you anticipate for your business in the Far North over the next 3-5 years? (tick the relevant box and explain why)

Decline

Stable (stay the same as it is now)

Modest growth

Large growth

Please explain

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* 28. How many new workers will you require?

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* 29. What skills or qualifications will they need?

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* 30. Where will you find these workers and how will you attract and retain them?

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* 31. If you are looking to leave your business in the next 3-5 years do you have a business succession or exit plan in place?

Yes

Not Applicable

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* 32. What opportunities for jobs and economic growth do you see for your community and the region over the next 3-5 years? (please describe)

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* 33. Do you see other areas of knowledge or skills within our region that are under utilised? (please describe)

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* 34. Describe any areas where you think an external agency (such as RDAFN) could assist you? (eg. assistance in providing some on-site training in Workplace Safety, facilitating ways for small businesses to gain mining industry contracts)

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* 1. Business name:

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* 2. Your name:

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* 3. Your position (eg. Manager)

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* 4. Business phone number:

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* 5. Business street address:

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* 6. Business postal address (if different to street address):

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* 7. Postcode of business

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* 8. Business email address:

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* 9. Website address:

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* 10. What industry is your business in? (eg. tourism, mining, retail etc)

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* 11. What are your main business activities? (eg. providing takeaway food and drink, running a Motel, plumbing etc)

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* 12. How many people do you employ in the Far North?

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* 13. Attracting qualified staff

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* 14. Attracting experienced staff

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* 15. Having to train staff

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* 16. Retaining staff

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* 17. Providing accommodation for staff

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* 18. If applicable, why do you think you have difficulty in attracting qualified/experienced staff?

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* 19. What gaps in qualifications, skills or experience are common in your new employees?

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* 20. How do you normally address these 'gaps'? (tick relevant boxes)

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* 21. How many of your employees in our region are aboriginal/indigenous people?

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* 22. If applicable, what experiences, barriers or circumstances restrict you from employing more aboriginal/indigenous workers?

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* 23. As an owner/operator or manager of a business, identify any qualifications, skills or personal development training you require/need.

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* 24. If applicable, why do you think you have difficulty in retaining staff? (tick relevant boxes)

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* 25. What do you do to retain staff members? (tick relevant boxes)

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* 26. What skills or services are missing in the region, meaning you have to use contractors/providers from outside the region?

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* 27. What growth do you anticipate for your business in the Far North over the next 3-5 years? (tick the relevant box and explain why)

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* 28. How many new workers will you require?

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* 29. What skills or qualifications will they need?

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* 30. Where will you find these workers and how will you attract and retain them?

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* 31. If you are looking to leave your business in the next 3-5 years do you have a business succession or exit plan in place?

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* 32. What opportunities for jobs and economic growth do you see for your community and the region over the next 3-5 years? (please describe)

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* 33. Do you see other areas of knowledge or skills within our region that are under utilised? (please describe)

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* 34. Describe any areas where you think an external agency (such as RDAFN) could assist you? (eg. assistance in providing some on-site training in Workplace Safety, facilitating ways for small businesses to gain mining industry contracts)

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* 35. Add any other comments you wish to make about workforce and skills issues or about jobs and business growth opportunities.