Regional Industry Career Advisor

Young people need quality career information from industry experts and qualified career development practitioners. RICA's provide high quality regional industry career information, advice and resources, particularly in areas of skills needs. They also improve community awareness of skills needs, provide current industry information and maintain relationships with businesses, employers and industry bodies.

Some of the projects RICA had "on the go" for 2007-08 were:

• A RICA sponsored forum (named the No Bull Forum) brought together local captains of industry to discuss current issues they are experiencing in regard to the skills and labour shortages. This was chaired by facilitator Neil Johnston, with co-presenters being Lisa Taylor (Director, Tasmanianjobs.com) and Terri Simpkin (Principal, Mischief Business Engineering)
  
• During the first term of the school year, RICA mentored a class of 16 hospitality students at Guilford Young College, as they planned the opening and operation of an in-house cafe for use by students and teachers at their Barrack Street campus. The students did this under the auspices of a Young Achievement Australia program by starting up a company, selling shares and working together as a team to achieve the overall aim of starting and running (ie ordering ingredients, cooking and serving the food) their cafe business. The cafe was officially opened in July 2008.
  
• An employer information breakfast was held by RICA in assocation with LCP. Three guest speakers spoke about the skills and labour shortages, attracting and retaining Generation Y staff, and the Structured Workplace Learning aspect of LCP's program.
  
• RICA has been working on maintaining industry linkages with employers in small and medium-sized enterprises, in order that LCP, schools and colleges have access to industry for work experience, information sharing purposes etc.