The Victorian Chamber encourages small and large employers to nominate and have their efforts recognised at the Victorian Skills Authority’s Victorian Training Awards for 2023.

As business awaits next week’s State Budget, the latest feedback from our members is that regained confidence post-pandemic has waned in the face of tough economic conditions.

We have one hot off the press today! We are incredibly proud to announce that the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been named as one of four finalists in the 13th World Chambers Congress (WCC) 2023 Competition in the Best Gender Equity Project category for our Chamber Change (Women in Business) program.

The fundamentals of defence, skills and the transition to a net-zero economy are clear winners in an otherwise modest 2023-2024 Federal Budget that focuses on cost-of-living relief.

Improved careers services and advice is increasingly important in a labour market characterised by skills and labour shortages, skills mismatches and perceptions of vocational education and training (VET).

As we approach the budget season, we are in continuing discussions with the State Government to ensure business remains positioned to provide the growth the State needs. I expect those meetings will continue over the next few weeks as well.

The 2023-24 Federal Budget will allocate $314 million towards a new energy program aimed at lowering business power bills and emissions.

Increased cost of living is the number one issue facing many Australians today. It’s also likely affecting the emotional and financial wellbeing of your employees.

There has been a real shift over the past few weeks which should not be mistaken for the encroaching chill of our impending winter.

On Tuesday, we reflected on the sacrifice that generations of Australians and New Zealanders have made to protect our way of life. Hundreds of Anzac Day commemorations took place across the State to honour the Anzac spirit; it felt to me as if that spirit was particularly prominent this year, perhaps it was heightened among Victorians because of the war in Ukraine and global instability.

The Victorian Government’s Head Start school-based apprenticeship program has broadened to roll out to all government secondary schools by the end of 2023.

It certainly feels like the year continues to accelerate, and I hope you are doing what you need to ensure your business is in good shape.

I hope you all had a wonderful and safe long weekend. It was certainly great to have a break, and hopefully some of you can enjoy extra time with your children as we enter school holidays.

The shift to a net-zero economy will require a collective effort but is a challenge Victoria can rise to with the right mindset and the right actions, enabling government and industry to work together to reach our emission targets and seize the economic opportunities for Victoria.

Experience the ultimate flexibility with the Victorian Chamber’s newly released e-learning self-paced courses covering themes of workplace mental health, an effective hybrid workforce and exporting essentials.

We saw Melbourne at its best over the weekend as we played host to a Melbourne-record Formula One crowd of more than 440,000 people at Albert Park.