Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)

WEBINAR | THURS | FEB 13 Register now to hear our analysis of Australia's economic outlook in 2025 and how business can adapt to navigate a more challenging environment. Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) analysts Innes Willox, Jeffrey Wilson and Colleen D. will be joined by AustralianSuper Head of Macro Research & Strategy Amber Rabinov, who will look beyond our research to longer-term trends such as geopolitics, demographics and the energy transition and their implications for the global macroeconomy. Click here for more details and to register for this important event, presented with the support of #AustralianSuper: ➡ https://lnkd.in/g9CPGyYe #AiGroup #HereForBusiness #MemberEngagement #AiGroupIndustryOutlook2025 #IndustryOutlook2025 Vivienne Filling

When an employer is overwhelmed with #JobApplications, it can be tempting to focus only on the top few candidates. But organisations that fail to meet baseline expectations of applicants are finding they are not only losing candidates mid-process, they are also losing customers and earning a reputation of delivering a poor #recruitment experience. Here, Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) #HRExpert Georgina Pacor shares 8 tips for developing a successful candidate communication strategy: ➡ https://lnkd.in/g7KiVcig Ai Group members can find more resources on Attracting, Recruiting and Onboarding Talent here: ➡ https://lnkd.in/gznH9m2D #AiGroup #HereForBusiness #MemberEngagement

"It's welcome news that the worst of inflation is behind us, but Australia is far from out of the economic woods yet," Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Chief Executive Innes Willox said today. "We are finally getting towards the last mile of inflation control in Australia, which will ease cost of living pressures on many households. "However, it is concerning that this outcome has been achieved in very weak economic conditions. "Australia is in its longest period of sustained low growth since the mid-1990s, consumer demand remains subdued and much of the private sector currently faces recession-like conditions. "While the labour market remains a rare bright spot, we know its resilience is only because of a massive public sector hiring binge that can't last. "Add to this the volatility in global financial markets, uncertainty about where President Trump's economic policies will land and a federal election only months away, this is an increasingly challenging environment for monetary policy. "We still have a lot of work to do – particularly in getting the private sector engine firing again – to return Australia to a stable economic footing," Mr Willox said. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that headline consumer inflation rose by 2.4% p.a. in the December quarter of 2024, its lowest level since early 2021. Read our full statement here: ➡ https://lnkd.in/gznHE5Vc #AiGroup

In the first of a series of fortnightly blog posts, Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Director of Emerging Industries and Innovation David K Martin explores the Federal Government's review of the country's R&D system. "Why does this review matter?" David writes. "Think of Australia's R&D system as the engine room of our future economy. Just as a car needs a well-tuned engine to perform at its best, our economy needs a robust R&D system to drive growth and stay competitive in the global market." David developed this series of blog posts to demystify #innovation and the use of technology. "The feedback we're getting from our members and the Emerging Industries Council is they don’t know where to start on their digital/innovation transformation journey," he said. "I want to have a conversation with them on where to start." Click here to read David's first article: Australia's R&D review: A turning point for innovation? ➡ https://lnkd.in/guZumBJj Learn about Ai Group's Emerging Industries Council: ➡ https://lnkd.in/g44E-EXU #AiGroup Louise McGrath

Australian industry had a tough year in 2024 with a slowing economy, lingering inflation and a tight labour market, Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)'s Industry Outlook for 2025 report, released today, reveals. Many business leaders are concerned 2025 will bring much of the same. Industry leaders anticipate many of the pain points of last year will continue in 2025. While expectations are for an improvement in consumer demand, across most other indicators of business health — particularly uncertainty, rising costs and workforce constraints — expectations remain negative and much the same as last year. Leaders have identified three priorities which will shape their businesses in 2025: 1.      Weakening demand-side conditions, as the sluggish Australian economy offers limited opportunities for growth and requires investment to protect existing markets; 2.      Controlling cost pressures caused by lingering inflation and high energy prices which, given weak market conditions, are eroding business margins and profitability and 3.      Managing chronic workforce shortages, which are impacting productivity, hindering business growth and harming financial performance. Industry leaders are making near-term productivity a priority to meet the challenges of this environment. They plan to invest in process improvement to improve efficiency, upgrade the skills of their current workforce and grow their investment in technology. These strategies will make a welcome boost in Australia’s productivity performance. However, they also mean longer-term growth objectives – particularly R&D, growing the workforce and internationalisation – may be on the back burner for the near term. Read the full report here: ➡ https://lnkd.in/g6n69-sP #AiGroup #AiGroupIndustryOutlook2025 #IndustryOutlook2025 Jeffrey Wilson Colleen D.

The Federal Government's initial response to the Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System recognises the importance of #apprentices, in particular for #SmallBusiness and in the critical housing sector, but it leaves open uncertainty about crucial #EmployerIncentives to hire young workers, Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Chief Executive Innes Willox said today. "The Key Apprentices program seeks to encourage apprentices into trade occupations, particularly in construction to ease the housing crisis, and will hopefully encourage more young Australians to take up trade apprenticeships," Mr Willox said. "This is welcome. However, there is no clarity around continuing employer incentives which are due to expire on June 30. "Without continuing a broader system of incentives, it means there will be far fewer apprentices employed, simply because companies will no longer be supported to do so." Read our full statement here: ➡ https://lnkd.in/gqd7VXMH Explore the Review here: ➡ https://lnkd.in/gEa4pUW6 #AiGroup #apprenticeships

Thinking about hiring an #apprentice?    You may be eligible for payments of up to $5200 a year to help cover hiring costs.    Small and medium-sized businesses that haven’t hired an apprentice in the past two years are encouraged to apply for funding through the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations' new Group Training Organisation (GTO) Reimbursement Program.    The program aims to make hiring apprentices easier and more affordable for SMEs using a GTO such as the Ai Group Apprentice and Trainee Centre to access the next generation of skilled talent.   Ai Group ATC Head Peter Nolan said the initiative was a fantastic opportunity for SMEs to access the services provided by GTOs.     “GTOs are renowned for delivering higher apprentice completion rates through dedicated mentoring and specialised support for both businesses and individuals,” he said.    “This program not only eases financial pressures for SMEs but will help build a skilled and resilient workforce for the future.”    Read our blog post to find out more: ➡ https://lnkd.in/gq23B9XA #AiGroup #AiGroupATC #HereForBusiness #apprentriceships Craig Hilton

Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Head of Industry Policy and Development Louise McGrath and Principal Advisor – Workplace Relations Policy Yoness Blackmore represented Ai Group at Parliament House in Canberra today to support our submission to the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Setting Gender Equality Targets) Bill 2024 Senate Inquiry.   Ai Group supports and advocates the advancement of #GenderEquality and other measures that contribute to safe and respectful Australian workplaces. However, we are concerned the Bill as proposed will introduce new onerous requirements on employers with 500+ employees and potentially jeopardise their ability to successfully win government work. Read our opening statement to the Senate Standing Committees on Finance and Public Administration here: ➡ https://lnkd.in/geqAqkNc #AiGroup #HereForBusiness #MemberEngagement  

Is your business part of the #DefenceIndustry and based in #SouthAustralia?    Do you want to build your future workforce, enhance your company’s innovation and research capacity and boost the expertise of graduates emerging from our universities?    Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and SA Government are seeking companies like yours to host interns for our recently launched Defence Industry Connection Program (DICP), set up to accelerate the progression of university students into work-ready graduates.    Hosting arrangements are easy: program coordinators will match you with an intern based on your requirements and their area of study and ambitions.   Grants of up to $2500 are available to SMEs for screening, onboarding or placement costs.    The $3.9 million program is now welcoming registrations from host companies and eligible university students.    For more information and to learn how to become involved, contact the DICP Project Officers at dicp@aigroup.com.au or visit  https://lnkd.in/gmDq44rT    #AiGroup #Defence Eira Swaine Estha van der Linden Department of State Development

Here's an exciting opportunity to join Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)'s highly regarded Workplace Relations Policy and Advocacy team, led by Brent Ferguson. ⬇ #AiGroup #WorkplaceRelations #HereForBusiness