This Week in the Market – 10 November 2020
| Edition 288 View this email in your browser |
 |
| In this week’s Market News: – Financial incentives for businesses to train staff – Free business webinars – A better choice! Christmas giveaway Market News Current Market COVID restrictions  Businesses should continue to limit access to the market only to those carrying-out essential core operations. Should a business requirement arise for a visitor to attend the market site, you must pre-notify gate 1 security with the individual’s name and reason for attending by emailing eppingcontrol@melbournemarket.com.au. All market visitors must sign in at gate 1 security; they will complete a short induction and undertake temperature screening before entry. Failure to pre-notify gate 1 security of a visitor before arrival may result in the person being denied access to the site. Market cafes are open for seated indoor service. There are limits on the number of patrons allowed at any one time with tables spaced apart to ensure adequate social distancing. With no changes to the DHHS advice concerning carpooling, the 1 person per buggy/electric vehicle rule will remain until further notice. Market users are reminded that they must continue to follow remaining COVID rules at all times. Detailed information regarding current COVID restrictions at the Market can be found at www.melbournemarket.com.au/melbourne-market-coronavirus-covid-19-response/. Financial incentives announced for greengrocers to train staff The Government recently announced significant changes to training incentives for businesses, to boost the number of employees undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships. For the local greengrocer it means if an employee meets eligibility criteria, you can support them in enrolling in the Certificate III in Greengrocery and be provided with a wage subsidy, up to 50% of wage to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter. That means you could receive up to $28,000 per year, per employee for training them! There are several different course subsidies and incentives employers may be eligible for when your staff complete a traineeship via the Certificate III in Greengrocery. Depending on each employees’ individual circumstances and eligibility criteria, different funding scenarios will apply. The best way to find out how it works and who is eligible for incentives is by jumping onto an online information session. When: Today, Tuesday 10 November, 11.00 am Zoom meeting link: https://intowork.zoom.us/j/98903931583?pwd=eTV6b1llYW5QY2xhaHY4aFhxZXE2UT09 Meeting ID: 989 0393 1583 Passcode: 1g9Pi$ Click here for more information about financial incentives available to train your staff. Free business webinars  Business network and regional economic development advocacy group NORTHLink, along with Macpherson Kelley lawyers, are running a free online webinar that will provide insight and detail on managing mental health issues in the workplace during a time of COVID-19. The session will run on Tuesday, 17 November, from 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM. You can click here to learn more about the event and register. NORTHLink, along with Melbourne’s North Food Group, has been regularly running free webinars over the past few months. You can access the free recordings of these webinars via the MNFG website. There are over 30 webinar recordings available to view; they cover a whole range of topics including:Succession planning: How to maximise your business valueEmployer hotspots and watchpoints: Navigating COVID-19How does your brand talk digitally to customers in the current climate?Facebook simplifiedEngaging real followers on Instagram.Click here to view the entire list of free business webinars.  Christmas Giveaway  To celebrate the festive season, A better choice! is giving your customers the chance to win! We have thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes to be won over the coming month, with winners drawn daily. This huge prize giveaway will commence mid-November and run for a month. A better choice! customers will be able to register in-store or online for the chance to win one of the many prizes on offer. There’s a prize to be won every day including an iPad, Nintendo switch, coffee makers, kitchenware, pasta makers and fruit boxes from selected retailers. Further details about this exciting competition will be sent to A better choice! retailers soon. A Better Choice feedback Do you have feedback or questions about the A Better Choice program? We’d love to hear from you, send an email to abetterchoice@melbournemarket.com.au. Focus on Men’s Health during November November is a time of year to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and men’s suicide; made more prevalent in the last decade with the Movember movement. During November, we will be sharing videos focussing on men’s health, from personal stories, through to advice on how to improve your own physical and mental health. Did you know testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young Australian men? The short video below takes a tongue in cheek look at the importance of ‘knowing thy nuts’ so you get to know what feels normal and head to a doctor if something feels irregular. You can click here for more information about the risks of testicular cancer and to download a hands-on guide to getting ‘friendly with your testes’. Why is it important to ‘know thy nuts‘? Because for young men around the world testicular cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. Essential safety and tenancy inspections across the site As communicated last week, to ensure continued high levels of safety at the Melbourne Market, ESM (Essential Safety Measures) and tenancy inspections will be carried out across the entire site throughout November. The inspections will occur at all leased premises (excluding ESR warehouses) and will cover three different elements taking approximately 15 minutes in total. 1. A general inspection of the tenancy to assess the overall condition 2. A fire safety inspection, where fire extinguishers will be tested and tagged and smoke detectors tested to make sure they are operational. 3. A door safety inspection, to ensure exit and entry doors can easily open and close without getting stuck or jammed, hinges are tight, and sliding doors are attached to rails. A specific and detailed COVIDSafe plan has been created and will be followed by the contractors carrying out these inspections. The following measures are included in the COVIDSafe Plan: – All personnel will be temperature screened before entering the site; – Face coverings will be worn at all times; – Social distancing measures in place, ensuring only one contractor enters the Premises at a time; – Utilising hand sanitiser and/or wearing gloves; and – Common surfaces which may have been handled by the contractors will be cleaned by a cleaner immediately afterwards (door handles, fire extinguisher, external switchboard doors, handrails etc.). Businesses do not need to prepare for the ESM and tenancy inspections. Business Principals will receive further communication with the scheduled date and time that the ESM and tenancy inspection will be completed. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk on (03) 9258 6149. Industry News The fruit that is a source of folate and right on our doorstep  A tiny green plum that’s been eaten by Indigenous communities across the top end of Australia for thousands of years could end up being the next superfood. University of Queensland (UQ) researchers are currently working with Aboriginal communities in East Arnhem Land and Delye Outstation in the Northern Territory to investigate the nutritional properties of the native green plum, with a recent study revealing that the green plum could contain one of the highest known folate levels of any fruit on the commercial market. The powerful plum, which is a relative of the mango, is also quite tasty with a sweet flavour dotted with a tart taste. Read more on SBS News. DHHS surveillance testing program for Victorian seasonal horticulture growersTo reduce the risk of COVID community transmission as Victoria re-opens, DHHS is undertaking ‘surveillance testing’ across a range of industries. This will give DHHS a snapshot of an at-risk population and tell them how much, if any, virus is circulating. It also gives DHHS a chance to manage an outbreak quickly if they find any virus. The DHHS is asking for farm businesses in regions close to Melbourne to volunteer for COVID surveillance testing. To find out more, visit the AUSVEG website. Melbourne Market Job Board  Do you have a vacancy to fill in your business? Email submissions@melbournemarket.com.au for the position to be placed on our new online job board. Forklift Operator/Labourer – Perfection Fresh Perfection Fresh is looking for someone to support our team with receivals, dispatch, order fulfilment and other general duties. In this role you’ll be loading and unloading trucks, pulling together orders accurately to our quality standards, taking accurate records, and helping to keep our areas clean and safe. You need a current forklift’s licence and driver’s licence, knowledge of warehousing /stores, excellent time management skills, and attention to detail. A demonstrated commitment to workplace health and safety is an absolute priority. If you’re interested in this job, or know anyone who’s qualified, contact us straight away. Call Brett Collins on 0400 877 018 or send an email to HR@Perfection.com.auView full online job board Ask the MMA If you’ve got a question for the MMA email it to: submissions@melbournemarket.com.au Follow us  |
| Copyright © 2020 Melbourne Market Authority, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are on the Melbourne Market Authority distribution list. Our mailing address is: *Box 1, 55 Produce Drive, Epping, VIC, 3076* update subscription preferences |