In response to the letter titled ‘NORTEC Selling Community Assets’ , Echonetdaily, March 23, on behalf of NORTEC I would like to set the record straight by providing the context and the true picture of our intentions.
Along with other employment service providers, we are on the cusp of a quantum shift in our industry, which has been set by the federal government’s agenda. NORTEC as a for-purpose organisation, is determined to adapt to the new environment and continue to create opportunities and inspire futures for the people we work with. We are proud of these values, put into action every day by our dedicated team of 250+ from Coffs Harbour to the Gold Coast and beyond.
We are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the current employment services tender process which will determine the size and capacity of NORTEC for at least the next five years. We need to be prepared for a range of outcomes so that we are able to respond quickly on the ground in order to remain sustainable and continue to grow the delivery of our services in the community.
A small component of this preparedness is to test the market regarding the real market value of a number of key properties. The board has made no decision as to the future of these assets at this time. These decisions will largely be dictated by the outcome of the Federal Tender process, which is expected before the end of March 2015.
NORTEC is committed to continuing to work with existing and new small businesses, as a way of driving employment growth in the region. The recent expenditure of substantial NORTEC capital in order to develop the Goonellabah small business incubator, and our recent appointment by the federal government to extend our small business support services to the Gold Coast region, are testament to our ongoing commitment to the effective support of small business across the region.
I, as chairperson of the voluntary board of NORTEC, and the other members of the NORTEC board are proud of what NORTEC has achieved for its clients, since its formation in 2008 (brought about by the merger of TTEC and BETC).
Contract gains in a range of state and federal government funded community programs that support employment and business success in the region mean that NORTEC now covers an area from Nambucca Heads to Coomera, providing direct employment to over 250 people in our region. This has been achieved by the prudent financial management exercised by the board and the executive management of NORTEC in order to ensure that we can continue to offer the quality, impactful services to the people we serve.
We are committed to ensuring that NORTEC continues to adapt to changing circumstances, so that we are able to ensure the continuation of our role in supporting community members and businesses in the region.
One of NORTEC’s core values is ‘Listening to Understand’, and we really appreciate hearing from members of the community who wish to provide direct, constructive and informed feedback on our programmes and services.
Geoffrey Colwill, chairperson, NORTEC
I, as an unemployed person would like to remind the chairperson of NORTEC, Geoffrey Colwill, that the Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey to be a responsible Treasurer, must cut harder into the economy in the 2015 May Budget than in the 2014 May Budget as the interest on the increasing Deficit cuts further and increases the Deficit.