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2008
Industry, business & education join forces to train long-term unemployed for skill shortage
Forsythes Recruitment, Wesley Uniting Employment (WUE), TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute and RPC Technologies (Reinforced Plastic Composites) have joined forces to train long-term unemployed as fibreglassers to fill a critical skill shortage in the fibreglassing and plastic composites industry.
"RPC a leading supplier of corrosion resistant structural fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) fabrications; piping and ducting systems; acid-resistant, heavy duty linings; and specialist composite products, secured a project to supply pipe work for the desalination plant planned for Sydney. The project is expected to continue for up to 12 months with a need for staff numbers to increase around July 2008. In order to accommodate the extra workload the project will create, RPC approached us to supply additional staff working full time hours on an ongoing casual basis," said Forsythes Recruitment partner, Mr Geoff Crews.
"Knowing there was an extreme skill shortage in this area we engaged both our own search strategy, led by Forsythes Consultant James Alexander, and commenced discussions with WUE, Hunter TAFE and RPC to supply, train and introduce new people to the industry. It all came together through the cooperation of all parties concerned,” Mr Geoff Crews went further to say.
"Working closely with Forsythes, Wesley Uniting Employment put forward candidates who needed work and were ready to be trained,” said Ms Jennifer Ross, Acting Branch Manager - Newcastle, Wesley Uniting Employment.
“Following consultation with all concerned, Hunter TAFE developed a customised course to specifically meet the requirements of the client. The section successfully tailored a flexible course from national competencies in the Certificate II in Plastic Composites course which focused on skill development in fibreglassing and laminating, based at Newcastle Campus,” said Ross Mitchell, Head Teacher of Marine Craft Construction and Composite Technology at Hunter TAFE
“Students trained in OH&S, basic laminating skills and received tuition in chemical resistant laminates. The collaboration with Forsythes, Wesley Uniting Employment and the client has been a great success, and represents Hunter TAFE’s engagement with industry, business and the community,” Mr Mitchell said.
"The course started on May 26 2008 and included a week’s component of work experience before commencing the successful graduates into paid work on site with RPC. Of the fourteen participants that have now completed the course, nine have commenced employment working 38hrs per week, with the remaining five to start work next week,” said Mr Crews.
"It has been a pleasure to work with Forsythes who have been proactive in making sure we have quality staff needed to work on this project. We are very happy with the first batch of graduates, and the training provided has ensured that all graduates have developed specific job ready skills and are very employable. The whole process has been extremely rewarding for all concerned and we look forward to another 16 or more fully trained staff in the near future,” said RPC Production Manager, Mr Trevor Hopewell.
Forsythes Recruitment is this region’s largest locally owned and operated recruitment firm with branches in Newcastle and the Central Coast and formal recruitment alliances nationally and throughout the world.
Wesley Uniting Employment provides information for job seekers including career and job search hints and tips, how to prepare and apply for work, and the types of assistance available whist looking for work. Wesley helps match job skills to available jobs. Over the past year Wesley Uniting Employment has assisted thousands of people re-enter the workforce throughout the Hunter.
Over the past 100 years, TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute has become a highly respected provider of quality vocational education and training with 15 campuses spanning the Hunter, Upper Hunter and Central Coast regions, offering over 500 courses to more than 50,000 students each year.
RPC provides a full range of reinforced plastics and composites products together with specialty fabrications tailored to customer requirements. It serves a broad assortment of industries including defence, water and wastewater, power and mining, process, aerospace and marine.
Forsythes Recruitment manages the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) recruitment project.
February 2008
Forsythes Recruitment has been commissioned by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to assist in the selection of the finest careers in rail infrastructure maintenance. Based in Regional and Coastal New South Wales, 150 permanent positions are on offer in four core areas: Signal Mechanical, Signal Electrical, Line/Cable Installation and Track Maintenance.
"This is a significant win for Forsythes Recruitment as we continue to expand our operations throughout the Hunter, Central Coast and beyond. We look forward to working very closely with the ARTC and believe that they and the candidates will benefit from our ability to match needs precisely and facilitate successful, long-term engagements", said Forsythes Partner, Mr Geoff Crews.
March 2008
Applications are now closed for these positions, however we welcome direct enquiries (through to Forsythes on (02) 4926 2699) for future rail maintenance projects. Please ask for James Alexander or his Support Consultant Tracy Mitchell.
Collectors Really Do Care - Annual Art Exhibition Raises more than $24,000 for Samaritans!
The fourth annual Forsythes “Collectors Care” Art Exhibition has been hailed as the biggest and best yet. More than 1000 visitors frequented the exhibition over the 10 day period to view a staggering selection of 196 works from 88 of the Hunter’s best artists!
To date 85 of those works have been purchased, with commissions from their sale contributing to approximately $24,500 raised in aid of Samaritans, an increase of almost $10,000 on last years efforts.
All monies raised from the exhibition will go towards the setup of Hunter Headspace which will provide a one stop shop for young people to access a range of services including health, education, drug and alcohol, work and mental health.
CEO of Forsythes, major sponsor of the exhibition, Mr Paul Hankinson said, "It’s great to help Samaritans continue their valuable work supporting people in need in our local community".
This year’s acquisition award was won by Vera Zulumovski for her untitled work made from unique layers of embossing. Vera’s work is nationally collected by major galleries and will now be part of Forsythes corporate art collection.
The exhibition which coincided with the first anniversary of the 2007 June long weekend floods featured many artworks that drew inspiration from the storms and the now infamous Pasha Bulker which was stranded precariously on Nobbys Beach.
A huge hit with visitors this year were the Artists in Residence; painter Tim Burns and sculptor Gareth Graham; who relished the opportunity to provide insight into the processes and inspirations that mould their works.
Also successful was the introduction of the Art Appraisal Afternoon. Local art expert Gael Davies formerly of Anne von Bertouch Gallery was on-sight to appraise pieces from visitor’s personal collections. One visitor was overjoyed to have their ink drawing by well known collected artist and former Novocastrian Mathew Percival appraised and found to be worth in the vicinity of $8000 - $10,000!
"I’m still in awe of the submissions this year," said Fundraising Manager at Samaritans, Libby Rodgers-McPhee who was kept very busy over the 10 days. "The number and quality of art works was just amazing and the artists have been very generous! I believe this has been the best Forsythes Collectors Care Art Exhibition…so far!"
For further information please contact Samaritans Fundraising Manager, Libby Rodgers-McPhee on 02 4960 7100.
Forsythes Team Heads to Adelaide
Senior members of the forensic accounting and business services teams from Forsythes are heading to Adelaide in April to take part in the 13th National Family Law Conference.
The conference is a biennial event attracting over 900 delegates practicing in Family Law across Australia, and is one of the largest events on the legal training calendar.
Forsythes Forensic Accounting is a platinum sponsor of this major event and papers will be presented at the conference by both Suzanne Delbridge-Bailey, Forensic Accounting Partner and Brad Nichols, Business Services Partner, on aspects of valuation and taxation issues in Family Law matters.
"We value our relationship with the Family Law Section and are proud to have a significant involvement in this prestige event. As we provide services to family law practitioners nationally, this event allows us to catch up with our clients and to also communicate some of the relevant taxation and valuation issues which may impact their clients." says Suzanne Delbridge-Bailey.
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