In this Issue:
Message from the Chairman • VECCI Services • Food Solutions Expo • SKILLED Apprentice of the Year is just Brilliant • Food manufacturers’ OH&S subsidies • Does your business need an award audit? • Apprentice drop out rate costing industry millions • Register with the Industry Capability Network • New CEO for Food Science Australia • Food Science Australia has a new website • VECCI OHS Manual – updated edition • ‘Eureka Report’ – Special offer for FIMMA members • VECCI Services

What's On

Message from the Chairman . . .
FIMMA’s transition to a separate entity under the VECCI umbrella is going smoothly with the guidance of the FIMMA Policy Advisory Group, comprised of members of the former FIMMA Executive.

FIMMA’s registered name has changed to Food Industry Machinery Manufacturers of Australia, effective from 17 June 2005, and financial FIMMA members have now been transferred to VECCI membership, classified in the FIMMA Division.

VECCI’s General Manager Marketing and Communications, Mary-Anne Edwards, is acting as manager of the advisory group with professional support from VECCI’s Economics and Industry Policy Department.

FIMMA’s objective to significantly increase Australian manufacturers’ share of the food industry machinery market remains rock solid.

FIMMA’s partnership with VECCI, Australia’s largest and most influential employer group, places members in a much stronger position to achieve this objective while at the same time greatly increasing the benefits and services now available to FIMMA members.

We will keep you informed of association initiatives and activities through this quarterly newsletter, other VECCI communications and via the FIMMA section of the VECCI website: www.vecci.org.au.

It’s up to you to take full advantage of the extensive range of VECCI’s products and services, which are summarised below. Check out the website, get involved and help strengthen FIMMA’s status as the peak national body representing the food equipment manufacturing sector in Australia.

Bryant Ham
Chairman
FIMMA Policy Advisory Group

Food Solutions Expo
Plans are well under way for the 2006 Food Solutions Expo following the outstanding success of this year’s show.

It was an impressive turnout with 350 food manufacturing representatives attending, with forty-five exhibitors displaying everything from food packaging, refrigeration, emergency power and water treatment to inspection and transport equipment.

The Expo was held at Food Science Australia (FSA) in Werribee and was jointly presented by Regional Development Victoria, FSA, FIMMA, the Packaging Council of Australia and the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating.

Food Solutions – likely to be held in September 2006 – is a great way to network and find out the latest in processing and manufacturing, packaging, installation, and research and development capabilities.

For more information, contact Eddie Sullivan, RDV, on email: eddie.sullivan@rdv.vic.gov.au or ph: 5320 5916.

SKILLED Apprentice of the Year is just Brilliant
Congratulations to third-year apprentice fitter and turner, Vernon Brilliant for being awarded SKILLED Group Apprentice of the Year.

The 23 year old self described ‘mature age’ apprentice was initially studying aircraft engineering, when his practical hands-on approach to problem solving drove him to SKILLED Group and the start of career in trade.

Three years on, Vernon is excited about his profession and amazed at the amount of high tech processes and engineering technology involved in being a fitter and turner.

Through SKILLED Group’s placement program he has had the opportunity to work in a range of areas including car manufacturing, bathroom production and packaging machinery and is looking forward to more challenges in new areas and processes, especially machining.

Workplaces involved in the project identify strengths and weaknesses in their OH&S practices, including hazards, systems and processes, then develop and implement best practice solutions.

The OH&S solutions identification by Project FRESH participants relate to the following hazards:

• forklift and mobile plant interaction, including pedestrian interaction
• manual handling such as palletising, stock piling, drum handling etc
• communication and consultation
• performance indicators in OH&S.

Does your business need an award audit?
While VECCI has assisted members with the application of new employment legislation, which has been rolled out across Victoria since the beginning of the year, some employers may still not be complying with the changes.

Since January 2005 more than 200 federal awards have been made common rule awards and these affect all industry groups.

A classic example is the Clerical and Administrative Employees (Victoria) Award 1999 which now determines minimum rates of pay, penalty payments, annual leave loading and other conditions of employment for many employees working in a clerical capacity within the private sector.

Before the introduction of Common Rule federal awards, many employers were paying employees under the State Industry Sector framework where no penalty rates or annual leave loading were applicable.

However, the situation has changed and employers need to fully understand their legal obligations regarding pay rates and conditions of employment for their employees.

For example an importer of goods prior to 1 January 2005 may have been paying his employees under the Wholesale Trade Industry Sector. His employees could include a storeperson, truck driver and a clerical support worker.

Under the new legislation that employer is obliged to pay those employees under three common rule Federal Awards. Failure to comply could result in costly claims by current and terminated employees for underpayment of wages.

VECCI urges employers who are uncertain about which awards currently cover their employees to complete an audit form that is available free of charge from the VECCI.

For more information, call the VECCI Information Centre on 8662 5222 (1300 363 264 toll-free from outside Melbourne).

Apprentice drop out rate costing industry millions
Article courtesy of Food Equipment News (FEN)

With little over half of all apprentices completing their apprenticeships, Australian businesses are losing millions of dollars in training and associated costs – but it's something that can be easily addressed through more rigorous selection processes.

According to global objective assessment leader, SHL, while many organisations assess apprenticeship applicants for basic literacy and numeracy, what they should be looking at is the overall 'fit' between applicant and apprenticeship type as well as organizational culture fit.

"This will help determine who will be the most successful in the role," SHL managing director, Sarah Kearney, said. "Companies need to adopt a best practice model that will enable better selection decisions.

"This can be achieved through a simple but proven methodology that involves defining the competencies required for their specific apprenticeship in question. Individuals should then be assessed against these competencies through objective assessment."

Ms Kearney said employers should measure the critical abilities and competencies with valid and relevant tools and techniques, such as structured behavioral interviews, ability tests, personality questionnaires and simulation exercises.

"While government incentives are extremely enticing for organizations wishing to take on apprentices, many of these are only awarded in full upon apprenticeship completion," she said.

"If an apprentice decides to leave the organization before completion, this leaves the organization with considerable re-hiring and re-training expenses as well as losing out on these incentives."

Contact: For a Project FRESH expression of interest form, contact VECCI OHS/WorkCover Policy Adviser, John Smith on email: jsmith@vecci.org.au or ph 8662 5348. John is a member of the WorkSafe Food Industry Working Party.

The network works with buyers to assist them identify the supply capabilities of Australian and NZ industry as an alternative to importing goods and services from overseas suppliers.

ICN was established in Victorian in 1984, initially as the Industrial Supplies Office. It is funded by the Victorian Government and has been so successful that it has been replicated in every State and Territory as well as in NZ – forming a national network.

ICN consultants have developed a comprehensive knowledge of national industrial capability, right down to the lowest tier of manufacturing.

ICN adopts a positive role by contacting all sectors of the procurement chain, including designers, architects, project managers and engineers, to ensure that they are aware of local capability and that Australian industry is granted full and fair opportunity.

Registering your capabilities with ICN is free and you can register or update your company information online. ICN has developed the Industry Capability Showcase with funding provided by the Federal Government and you should ensure your details are also available here.

Register via the ICN website: www.icnvic.org.au.

For more information, email: info-vic@icn.org.au, or ph: 9866 6155.

New CEO for Food Science Australia
Prominent South African food industry professional, Dr Anthos Yannakou, has been appointed CEO for Food Science Australia based at Werribee.

With more than 30 years experience in the industry, Dr Yannakou most recently managed his own consultancy, working on assignments for both public and private organizations in South Africa. He also taught within a number of Master of Business Administration programs at South African business schools.

From 1993-2005 he worked for one of the largest research and development institutions in Africa – the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – rising to the position of CSIR Executive Vice-President responsible for business development, technology management and operations.

Food Science Australia has a new website
Frequent visitors to the FSA website will notice a fresh new look.

The changes include a new green and gold logo, “reflecting FSA’s focused, forward thinking approach to transferring scientific excellence into solutions to help make Australian companies among the most competitive in the world”.

As well as the revamped look, FSA has reviewed all content on the website and brought it up-to-date.

To help FIMMA members understand the changes and meet their obligations, the VECCI Occupational Health and Safety Manual was recently updated.

In addition to the OHS Act, the Manual covers OHS Regulations and Codes of Practice as well as the Accident Compensation, Dangerous Goods and Environment Protection Acts.

An annual update service is available. The table of contents and price details are available on http://www.vecci.org.au/resources/c786+ohs+web.pdf

Contact: Sandra Cornish, VECCI Publications, on e-mail: scornish@vecci.org.au, or ph: 8662 5300.

‘Eureka Report’ – Special offer for FIMMA members
VECCI/FIMMA has negotiated a special offer to subscribe to the Eureka Report, an online information service for investors – or those who simply want to know more about business and finance. Published by prominent finance journalist and commentator Alan Kohler, Eureka Report is a continuous, multimedia online publication for investors in self-managed super funds, property, retail managed funds, direct shares and fixed interest securities. Its content includes investment ideas, broad strategic analysis, timely commentary on events relevant to investors, simplified access to investment research, support, advice and education. Instead of the usual subscription of $240 per annum or $24 per month, VECCI/FIMMA has negotiated a 14-day free trial of Eureka Report and a special member rate of $199 per annum or $19.90 per month should you wish to subscribe.

To take up a free trial, please CLICK on this link: https://www.eurekareport.com.au

VECCI Services
Advice – FREE access to the VECCI Information Centre for expert and prompt advice on workplace relations issues, including awards, OH&S, workers’ compensation and equal opportunity. For more complex inquiries, VECCI’s workplace relations consultants are available to members at discounted hourly rates.

Information – VECCI’s regular newsletters and business manuals keep you up-to-date on business affairs and assist you to meet your legal obligations as an employer.

Training – VECCI’s briefings, workshops and training courses provide all the skills your business needs. A number of courses are offered at certificate level and can be delivered at VECCI or at your workplace.

Lobbying – VECCI’s collective representation provides a strong, active voice that helps shape legislative and regulatory issues affecting business. VECCI has secured real benefits on issues such as business taxes, OH&S, workers’ compensation and infrastructure.

Value – VECCI leverages its position as Victoria’s peak employer body to negotiate discounts and special rates on everyday business costs – including telecommunications, merchant card rates, taxation and superannuation advice, accommodation, and permanent and temporary recruitment – to help members maximise their business dollar.

International Trade – services include export assistance, market research and documentation, business migration, briefings and education, overseas sourcing and referral services.

Networking – Raise your business profile by participating in VECCI’s extensive program of events, including briefings, seminars and networking occasions.