Employ "Outside The Box" - April, 2012 Statement by ACCI Chief Executive, Peter Anderson

(MEDIA RELEASE ACCI)

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Australia's largest and most representative business organisation, has released a 'call to arms' for Australian employers to expand workforce participation by employing ‘Outside the Box’ when they next recruit.

At Parliament House today, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Hon. Bill Shorten MP, launched Employ ‘Outside The Box’: the rewards of a diverse workforce, and the "Business Case for Recruiting and Retaining Mature Aged Workers", which is the first of an accompanying series of employer guides.

"With ageing demographics, sluggish productivity and forecast skill shortages, industry needs to think laterally and long term when it comes to recruitment. Lifting labour force capacity is not all a question of government or government money. New approaches and business leadership from within the private sector is required" Mr Anderson said.

Speaking at the launch, the Chair of ACCI's Employment Education and Training Committee, Mr Peter McMullin said "with many industries and regions still experiencing significant skill and labour shortages, especially those in regional areas, it is crucial that all sectors of the labour market be fully utilised to meet the needs of business and promote growth."

'"Employ Outside the Box' encourages employers to develop innovative strategies to attract and retain valued employees to bolster Australia's flagging participation rate. Australia needs to increase participation amongst mature aged people, women with caring responsibilities, indigenous Australians, people with a disability, and from the unemployed including youth."

Mr McMullin said "ACCI calls on business to 'Employ Outside the Box' when hiring new employees or contractors. Hiring someone from outside the traditional pool of workers isn't about taking a risk or an act of charity. It makes sense from an economic as well as a business perspective to embrace the opportunity to diversify the workforce, secure future skills and boost the nation's economic prosperity."

From today, these new ACCI publications will be made available to employers across the nation through ACCI's network of Chambers of Commerce and National Industry Associations. They will be followed up with local regional and sectoral promotion and co-branding.

For More Information: 

ACCI Chief Executive: Peter Anderson 0417 264 862 

ACCI Director Employment, Education and Training: Jenny Lambert 0418 277 919 

ACCI Director of Communications: David Turnbull 0419 272 802

MR195/12

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Click here to view the publication:
First Edition: Employ Outside the Box – The rewards of a diverse workforce, ACCI – February 2012. Design & Publication by Monica Shanahan (Mosmondor).