Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 14, Issue 19

Friday, 21st May 2021
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Upcoming Events

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21-22 June: Mid-Year Conference

Victorian Budget Summary

On Thursday this week, the Victorian State Budget was released The Victorian Budget 2021-22

Specific VET, Skills and apprenticeship programs include:

The Victorian Budget 2021–22 invests $383.8 million to give more people the skills they need for emerging and in-demand jobs. A new skills authority will make sure training matches the needs of students, employers and communities. Funding is also being increased for TAFE facilities, and for high-quality affordable training.

$99.2 million to further cut costs for students who undertake study in priority areas – with a TAFE or other registered training provider.

$72.4 million for further upgrading of TAFE campuses, including major redevelopments in Broadmeadows and Shepparton, and planning for training provision at Melton.

$12 million for TAFEs to upgrade facilities and equipment to support training for apprentices and trainees.

$85.9 million to set up the Victorian Skills Authority. The Authority will draw on existing expertise to build even stronger connections across the sector. It will analyse data and job-market insights, and publish for the first time a comprehensive annual skills plan. This will sharpen how the sector responds to employment demands, and give students confidence that training will lead to a job and a career.

The new Authority will work with industry – including employers and unions – as well as providers and other stakeholders to:
  • better plan for the future training needs of Victoria’s economy;
  • provide training strategies to support skills demand and supply for local and state-wide industries;
  • provide an integrated approach to the quality of teaching and training; and
  • drive collaborative innovation across the VET sector.

Establishing the new Authority in direct response to the recommendations from the Skills for Victoria’s Growing Economy review.

The Authority will not replace, but bring together existing entities and functions, including the Victorian Skills Commissioner, Skills and Job Centre functions, and VET Development Centre functions.

The Authority will provide robust, evidence-informed advice to government including through the annual Victorian Skills Plan, to better guide training delivery where it’s needed most.

$2.7 million for Victorian Aboriginal students to undertake Certificate II and III in Learning, an Australian First Nations Language at TAFE, for free, through Marrung: Preserving Aboriginal languages.

$7.9 million to enhance practical placements for TAFE students (in areas such as allied health and community services) by increasing funding for placement support officers.

$6.2 million to increase places in pre-accredited digital literacy and employability skills courses, boosting the job prospects of educationally disadvantaged Victorians. Funding will also deliver a new literacy and numeracy assessment tool for TAFEs and other providers, including Learn Local providers in the area of adult and community further education.

$7 million to support the work of a new Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery, which will foster collaboration across the TAFE network. This will help TAFEs share services, enhance quality, and better meet the training needs of students, employers and communities.

$88.8 million to make vocational education and training even more accessible for more Victorians, through more fee concessions for eligible students.

To access the Budget Papers 3 - Service Delivery, please visit Victorian Budget 2021-22: Service Delivery

Other key aspects of the Government’s Budget include once‑in‑a‑generation reform to build a new mental health system from the ground up. This $3.8 billion investment will transform the way care is offered in Victoria – with more early intervention, more focus on wellbeing and prevention, more support available in local communities and the creation of a dedicated system for children.

This year’s Budget also includes $1.2 billion to protect children and help keep vulnerable families together. This investment will deliver 246 new child protection practitioners, more support for carers and bring family services into schools, early childhood education and community health hubs to identify at‑risk families early.

For further information please visit Budget 2021-22: Creating Jobs, Caring for Victoria.

Supporting Youth in the New Employment Service Model

The New Employment Services Model will reform employment services for job seekers, employers and providers. It will replace the jobactive program from 2022.

Additional investment is being made to expand and strengthen the successful youth employment service, Transition to Work (TtW). From 1 July 2022, TtW will be the dedicated youth employment service in the New Employment Services Model. This will ensure more young people  (aged 15-24) have access to specialist youth employment services and have the best opportunity to become work ready and secure employment.

Current TtW contracts expire 30 June 2022. An open procurement will be undertaken in late 2021 to contract TtW providers for a period of five years, commencing from 1 July 2022. A consultation paper will be released prior to this procurement exercise.

The Government is also investing $7.5 million over four years to continue the Youth Advisory Sessions (YAS) for young job seekers in Digital Services from 1 July 2022. Introduced as a time-limited measure in the 2020–21 Budget, the YAS is currently providing young people in Online Employment Services access to up to three advisory sessions to be delivered by TtW providers.

For further details please visit New Employment Services Model.

AEN Mid-Year Conference 2021 - Registrations Open

Mid-Year Conference 2021 Registrations Now Open
The AEN is excited to be holding this year's Mid-Year Conference in Geelong. Over one and half days, conference guests will hear from representatives of the Commonwealth and Victorian Government. The AEN will also provide an update on current projects and services. This year’s event promises to be jammed packed with a range of topics and updates.

When:
Monday 21 June 2021 - Tuesday 22 June 2021





Where;
Novotel Geelong
10-14 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong

Closing date for registrations is 4 June 2021

Registrations are open and tickets are available to purchase

Reconciliation Week: 27 May - 3 June

Reconciliation week
Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2021, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.

To new supporters, please remember the importance of privileging and amplifying First Nations’ voices as you add your voice to calls for reconciliation and justice.

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

2021 marks twenty years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process.

#MoreThanAWord #NRW2021

For further details please visit National Reconciliation Week.

IBSA Launch - 'Scaling Up: Developing Modern Manufacturing through a Skilled Workforce' report

IBSA Group has launched the Scaling Up: Developing Modern Manufacturing through a Skilled Workforce report this week that identifies the challenges and opportunities facing the manufacturing industry.

It provides insights from industry leaders and proposes strategies to support the development of a highly skilled workforce. The report is the result of extensive national industry engagement and has been welcomed by Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert.

“I would like to thank IBSA Group for the work that has led to the Developing Modern Manufacturing through a Skilled Workforce Report,’’ Mr Robert said. “The report is welcomed for its extensive collaboration with industry, unions and the training sector, as well as Government, to help inform the skills agenda. We are looking forward to continuing to drive the Australian economy forward with a skills-led approach.”

IBSA Group CEO, Sharon Robertson will present the report to Industry and Education and Skills departmental officials in Canberra this week. Ms Robertson commented that there was strong and clear consensus from manufacturers, training organisations, peak bodies and unions operating within the sector of the need to provide more work-based learning and apprenticeship training opportunities that create pathways to higher skills development.

She also welcomed the focus on apprenticeships in last week’s Budget saying, "If the recovery out of COVID has shown us anything, it’s that we can’t be slow in responding to the need for change. Manufacturers have been responsive and flexible in responding to the challenges of 2020. The skills sector needs to be just as responsive to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead for Australian manufacturing and the industry’s current and future employees.”

For further details and to access the full report, please visit Manufacturing Skills Report.

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program Banner
Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program
This program has now supported over 780 participants since May 2020, and almost 300 apprentices and trainees have commenced with a new employer.

Currently, there are almost 90 participants on our active caseload.
Top 6 Occupations


  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Carpentry
  • Hair & Beauty
  • Chefs
  • General Mechanic
For Individuals

Apprentices and trainees who have lost employment are encouraged to register.

Once on the register, apprentices and trainees will be assisted by one of our program officers until placed with a host employer through a Group Training Organisation (GTO), or directly with an employer, whilst also directing you to the most appropriate advice and assistance while you remain out of employment.
If you have an apprenticeship or traineeship position you would like to fill, please contact the AEN Office so we can forward potential candidates that meet your criteria.

For further information or to register for the program please visit Apprenticeship Employment Network.

Australian Jobs 2020 Yearly Analysis of Labour Market Information and Industry Trends

Aust Jobs 2020 2
Australian Jobs is the National Skills Commission's yearly analysis of labour market information and industry trends for those considering future training and work. It is a simple to use digital publication offering meaningful insights such as the identification of industries and jobs most in demand, and the qualification levels most likely to be required by these areas, to inform career choices.

The 2020 overview has been designed to support and inform those seeking new career opportunities, leaving school, or those interested in labour market data trends - by location, industry and occupation, such as career advisors and data analysts.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impact on the Australian labour market, and the release date of this publication was delayed to ensure it contained data and advice relevant to job seekers and those looking to change careers as we enter the COVID-19 recovery phase.

When reading by location, users can find the top employing industries by state or territory. For example, in all Australian States the top employing industry is Health Care and Social Assistance while for both the Territories, the top employing industry is Public Administration and Safety. In informing career choices, this may assist job seekers in determining what skills and qualifications they may need based on the top employing industries where they live.

When reading by industry, users can identify how viable a career might be, the qualification level commonly required by that industry, and the occupations that fall within that industry. In Health Care and Social Assistance, the data shows that demand continues to grow, more than 80% of workers have a post-school qualification, and the top employing occupations in this industry include carers.

When reading by occupation, users can gain insights into trends of specific occupations. In the Community and Personal Service Workers occupations list (which includes Health Care and Social Assistance), the data shows that carers and aides are the top employing occupations, with over 50% of all these workers holding a certificate III or post-school qualification, that more than 80% of these workers are female, and 60% work part-time.

Australian Jobs pulls together data from a range of sources including the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Commission’s own research, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and the National Centre for Vocational Education Research. To explore Australian Jobs 2020, view the digital version or download the PDF.

April – Labour Market Portal Results

This week’s release of the Internet Vacancy Index (IVI) shows 243,500 online job advertisements were newly lodged in April 2021, representing the 12th consecutive month of growth in recruitment activity.

The IVI increased by 3.3% or 7,800 job advertisements over the month to stand, for the second month in a row, at its highest level in over 12 years (since October 2008).

The Vacancy Report for April 2021, released this week, shows job advertisements exceed pre-COVID-19 levels across all 48 detailed occupational groups.

Key points
  • Job advertisements increased across all eight broad occupational groups as well as all skill level groups during April 2021.
    • Recruitment activity for Community and Personal Service Workers reached an all-time series high (highest level since the beginning of the IVI series in January 2006) of 26,900 jobs advertised in April 2021.
  • Job advertisement growth in the month of April was concentrated in New South Wales and Victoria, with a small increase in Tasmania. All other states and territories recorded falls in recruitment activity.
  • In three month moving average terms, job advertisements increased in all 37 IVI regions over the year to April 2021. While the bulk of recruitment activity (74.1%) remains concentrated in capital cities, the strongest growth over the year was observed in regional areas.
  • Recruitment activity has increased significantly compared with levels observed prior to the COVID-19 downturn. Job advertisements are up 44.8% or 75,300 compared with pre-COVID-19 levels.

The April 2021 Vacancy Report detailed results are now available on the Labour Market Information Portal (LMIP).

Victorian Training Awards - Nominations Close June 4

Victorian Training Awards Hard Work Deserves a Pat on the Back
Nominations for the 2021 Victorian Training Awards will be closing in just five weeks' time, on Friday June 4.

FREE Writing Assistance
Simply draft your responses to each selection criteria and overview for your award category and email victorian.training.awards@education.vic.gov.au to get the process started.

Please ensure your draft includes the following information:
  • Name
  • Award Category
  • What you are studying and/or teaching
  • Your training institution
  • Phone Number
  • Email
Then, attach your submission and request for writing assistance in an email.

Virtual Workshop
If you’re not sure where to begin, watch the virtual workshop on Facebook to help with starting your nomination.

Don't Wait, Nominate!
Hard work deserves a pat on the back. With only five weeks left to submit your nomination to celebrate and recognise your hard work.

There’s $5,000 in prize money for winners in each category, a great chance to boost your career prospects or have your business recognised for it’s commitment to their staff.

Start your nomination now.
Victorian Training Awards Footer

Australian Training Awards

The Australian Training Awards (the Awards) recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in the vocational education and training sector.

The Awards commenced in 1994. Over this time many individuals, businesses, and registered training organisations have been rewarded for showcasing best practice in VET.

The Awards are held annually in November in a different state or territory. The 2021 the Awards will be held in Perth on Thursday, 18 November 2021.

Sixteen Awards categories will be presented at the Awards in Perth—eight categories are individual achievements and eight for businesses and registered training organisations.

Eleven awards are entered to the Awards through the state and territory training awards process with winners from each state and territory becoming eligible to compete at the national level in aligned categories.

Other awards are entered directly to Awards.

The Awards presentation event coincides with Finalist Week where participants are required to participate in the Finalist Week program which may include the judging interview as well as the opportunity to establish networks with fellow category finalists from around Australia. Finalists will also participate in professional development activities to prepare them for their role as a national ambassador for the VET sector.

As an award winner/runner up they will be recognised nationally as a leader in their field of study, training or a national leader in skills, training and workforce development. Winners in certain categories receive $5,000 in prize money and runner-ups receive $2,500 prize money.

For further details please visit Australian Training Award categories.

NCVER Update

VET student outcomes 2020: impact of COVID-19 on domestic students
The latest NCVER report shows the COVID-19 pandemic had a wide impact on the employment outcomes for students who had completed a VET qualification in 2019.

VET Student Outcomes 2020: impact of COVID-19 on domestic students examines how students who completed a VET qualification in 2019 were impacted by the pandemic in terms of employment outcomes at the end of May 2020.

The report uses data collected in mid-2020 from the National Student Outcomes Survey. 71.6% of domestic qualification completers were employed at the end of May 2020, a decline of 5.0 percentage points from the previous year.

Please visit NCVER to learn more, or to download the report.

Vocational qualification development: lessons from overseas
This report explores the development processes associated with VET qualifications in selected countries and compares them with the current process in Australia, with the aim of identifying any areas where efficiencies can be made.
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