Ballarat and Wimmera Region

Ballarat's economic base has gone through many changes from gold mining and farming in its early days to value-added food processing and manufacture of high-tech machinery components. Of increasing importance is the service sector, including tourism and information technology services, but manufacturing remains one of the region's largest employers.

The Ballarat Ai Group office looks after the interests of members throughout the Ballarat and Wimmera region, offering services such as training, workplace relations advice, and networking through HR, Sustainability and Safety Networking Groups. The office has close ties with Federal, State and Local Government representatives and works closely with these organisations to ensure members are aware of how the Ai Group can assist them. Ballarat members have supported regional surveys conducted by Ai Group and the data they input is used to promote the manufacturing base throughout the region.

• Monthly newsletter - the Ballarat/Wimmera News
• Membership advice and services
• Events
• Regular training programs
• Local websites - visit BROSH (Ballarat Regional Occupational Safety & Health Group Inc)

The office also provides access to:

• Enterprise Connect
  Enterprise Connect is an Australian Government program that assists businesses to grow through their involvement in free, comprehensive business reviews. The Australian Industry Group and other organisations work in partnership with the Australian Government to assist with the delivery of services for Enterprise Connect.
  
  Depending on the particular needs of each company, the business advisers can apply one of a range of business diagnostic tools to analyse a company's strengths and opportunities, benchmark against similar organisations internationally, and recommend actions to help SMEs become more innovative, efficient and competitive. Ai Group advisers have been called on to provide business reviews to companies of varying sizes in a wide range of industries.
  
  
• B31 - Ballarat Business Month
  This event is held in conjunction with the State Government's Small Business Festival held in August each year. Ai Group facilitates B31, which is a series of events for business, the community, students and teachers.
  
  A myriad of events including workshops, briefings, presentations and networking opportunities, which will provide advice and information to assist organisations to grow their business.
  
  
• Ballarat Industry workforce Development (BIWDS)
  The BIWDS Stage 2 was funded by the Victorian Government specifically to address a range of recommendations related to industry development pathways and workplace development.
  
  The final report outlines the activities and outcomes of actions, progressed through BIWDS Stage 2, identifies key learnings and proposes options for continuation for successful activities to support industry and workforce development for Ballarat manufacturing.
  
  A copy of the report can be obtained from the Ai Group Ballarat office on 0353 31 7688.