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AE News Volume 14, Issue 36
Friday, 17th September 2021
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Upcoming Events
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21 Sep - Mental Health at Work in a COVID World
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6 & 7 Oct - Youth Mental Health First Aid (Accredited)
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10 Nov - OHS Network Meeting
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AEN Awards – Nominations Have Opened
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The 2021 AEN Industry Award Nominations have opened. The awards celebrate the dedication and achievements of apprentices and trainees, GTOs and businesses committed to the development of apprentices and trainees.
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Nominations can be made in the following categories:
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- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Fellowship
- GTO Service Excellence Awards
- GTO Industry Service Awards
- Outstanding OHS Initiative
- Apprentice of the Year
- Trainee of the Year
- Inspiration Award: Indigenous Student of the Year
- Inspiration Award: Overcoming Adversity
- Inspiration Award: Women in Trades
- School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
- STAR (Stop Taking a Risk) Award
- Disability Achievement Award
- GAN International Apprentice Scholarship
- GAN National Youth Initiative Award
If you know someone who deserves recognition, nominate them here.
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Awards Dinner presentation event
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The venue for this year’s Awards Dinner is The Pavilion, Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. More details to follow.
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Enquiries: Anna Bejanoff, admin@aen.org.au or 03 9639 3955.
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COVID Update
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The following changes to restrictions have come into place from Friday 17 September:
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- One person may meet another person not from their household for a picnic, a walk, or another outdoor activity. Additionally, up to five adults (plus dependents) from two households will be able to gather outdoors if all adults present have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- The time permitted for exercise – and now outdoor social interaction – will increase from two to four hours a day. The distance you can leave home for shopping for necessary goods and services, exercise and outdoor social interaction will increase from five to ten kilometres.
- Two people will now be able to train outdoors with a personal trainer. Skate parks and outdoor communal exercise equipment will reopen.
- Child-minding for school-aged children will be permitted if only one parent is an authorised worker.
- Up to five people will be able to attend an entertainment venue or physical recreation facility to broadcast a performance, class, or concert.
- Real estate inspections will resume by appointment only. Only people from the same household can attend the inspection appointment and the real estate agent must stay outdoors during the inspection.
- In order to continue working, construction workers state-wide will need to show evidence to their employer that they have had a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 11:59pm, Thursday 23 September.
Regional Victoria (excluding Ballarat)
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- Gyms and outdoor and indoor pools (excluding spas, saunas and steam rooms) will reopen with limits and hydrotherapy and swimming lessons can occur. Tour buses can operate up to 10 people.
Massive Construction Compliance Blitz Across Victoria
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With a major source of transmission in Victoria’s latest outbreak now linked to construction sites, a massive compliance blitz is starting to ensure the sector remains open and COVIDSafe. A four-week blitz will be carried out by the Government’s Industry Enforcement and Engagement Operation, in partnership with Worksafe and the Victorian Building Authority.
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Many people working in construction are young, highly mobile and unvaccinated. Given the increased public health risks, the joint operation will have a ‘zero tolerance’ approach and will apply fines and prohibition notices to fix any serious non-compliance.
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The blitz will be supported by additional engagement with the construction industry, including targeted engagement with small to medium size construction businesses to support sub-contractors in understanding their obligations under the CHO Directions.
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To increase vaccination coverage among construction workers, Victoria will open the doors of four major vaccination centres to walk-ups without a booking, every day from today until 26 September.
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To access the latest DHHS COVID information, please visit DHHS Victoria.
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October is Health and Safety Month!
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If you’re interested in workplace health & safety, you can’t afford to miss WorkSafe’s Health & Safety Month. Hear from guest speakers and industry experts on topics ranging from:
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- The importance of HSR's to business
- How organisational culture impacts workplace mental health
- What do the new Silica Regulations mean for employers and employees?
- What are your rights as a young worker?
- Construction sessions
- Infringement notices + many more!
This year all the events will be delivered as a series of 45 minute webinars, and it's free to register!
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Corporate Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training
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Kangan Institute’s Indigenous Education Centre is Victoria’s leading provider of Indigenous education, delivering vocational training specifically to Indigenous people and the wider community.
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The Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training is a customised training solution to suit individual organisations. It is designed to provide participants with a practical understanding required for successfully working with the Victorian Indigenous Community. It also builds awareness of Indigenous issues and aims to eradicate apprehension or misconception about Indigenous people.
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The program is tailored to not only provide a historical perspective but to also provide learning which can be applied in everyday situations. Kangan focuses on developing improvement of strategies targeted at Indigenous recruitment and employment. They also offer follow-up support and ongoing consultation.
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Nation-First Care for Victorian Tradies Against Silicosis
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Victorian stonemasons at risk of silicosis will be able to get free world-class health screenings and treatments thanks to a landmark partnership between WorkSafe and The Alfred. Minister for Workplace Safety Ingrid Stitt recently announced Australia’s only dedicated public hospital occupational respiratory clinic, The Alfred Occupational Respiratory Clinic.
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For the first time, eligible workers in the stonemason industry can now undergo a full health assessment for silicosis and receive both their health outcome and a treatment plan during a one-day clinic visit. This will reduce time off work and take away much of the stress and anxiety of waiting for results.
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The clinic builds on the work of WorkSafe’s free silica health screening program, which was launched in May 2019 as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s comprehensive plan to protect workers from exposure to crystalline silica and provide ongoing care to those affected.
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More than 90 per cent of Victoria’s estimated 1,400 past and present stonemasons have since registered for screening. While reaching this registration milestone is an achievement, tragically there have been 168 claims to WorkSafe following positive diagnoses for silicosis.
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A fast-tracked compensation process is in place for affected workers and their families so they can get the personalised treatment and support they need.
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The clinic will provide a central location for assessments of eligible workers in the stonemason industry and an ongoing centre for those with a positive diagnosis to manage their illness.
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Stonemasons are at a particularly high risk of silicosis due to working with engineered stone which contains high concentrations of crystalline silica.
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The Government’s Silica Action Plan includes a state-wide ban on the uncontrolled dry-cutting of engineered stone, a tough new compliance code, developing Australia’s first licencing scheme and an enforcement blitz by WorkSafe inspectors.
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Employer survey – “What will it take”
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Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and AEN have commissioned PwC to do a piece of work to:
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- understand the factors that drive employer behaviour in relation to creation of quality jobs for youth
- identify some policies that could promote greater opportunities.
We are looking for employers willing to contribute 10 minutes to seek their views to better understand what can be done to increase opportunities for young people to secure skilled work. We are hoping that you may be able to support our research by completing this short employer survey.
The survey will remain open for a further week until the end of September.
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NECA Virtual Open Day: 22 September 2021
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The NECA Virtual Open Day is taking place this month.
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- Hear about their tertiary certificate courses in Electrotechnology and electrical industry short courses
- Learn about career and employment opportunities for electrical apprentices and meet their students
- See inside their state-of-the-art, purpose-built electrical, data, and sustainability training centre in Carlton North
- Experience what goes on in their onsite and online classrooms
- Meet their A-Grade teachers and career support personnel.
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Victorian Training Awards: Now Online for 2021
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The Victorian Training Awards are going online from 7pm on Saturday 16 October when the 2021 Awards will celebrate the sector’s ongoing commitment, resilience and innovation in a year of challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The virtual gala will be hosted in a studio with all finalists to tune in live for recognition and the announcement of each award winner.
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Registrations for the event are free and are open on Eventbrite.
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Making Senior Secondary School Work for all Students
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Victorian students will soon have more senior secondary options no matter what their post-school goals, with the Victorian Government announcing new pathway options to suit every student.
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As part of a reform of senior secondary school pathways, legislation was introduced into Parliament to deliver two new options for students in their final years of school from 2023.
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The Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major is a new two-year vocational pathway program that will replace Intermediate and Senior VCAL and will be embedded in the VCE system. Students enrolled in the Vocational Major will also have access to an enriched curriculum as well as relevant workplace experiences based on their career goals that will develop their real-world knowledge, and technical and transferrable skills that will set them up for further education and employment.
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The Victorian Pathways Certificate will replace Foundation VCAL and is designed to support students to transition either to the VCE or to entry level VET or employment – particularly focusing on vulnerable students at risk of leaving education or students with additional needs.
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Students undertaking this qualification will see a revised curriculum with more subjects and support to develop the skills, capabilities and qualities they need after their school years – whether that’s going onto further education or straight into the workforce.
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The new certificates will provide all senior secondary students with access to the best aspects of both VCAL and VCE – delivering high-quality vocational and applied learning opportunities to more senior secondary students.
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The new courses have been developed after extensive consultation with students, educators and education experts, reflecting the aspirations and perspectives of students for excellence in all senior secondary education pathways. Consultation will continue as the new certificates are implemented.
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The legislation introduced into Parliament will allow the VRQA to conduct an accreditation process for the new certificate framework, facilitating a smooth transition process for senior secondary providers into the new structure.
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Work to implement the certificate by 2023 delivers on a key recommendation from the Firth Review into vocational and applied learning pathways for senior secondary students – identifying the need to move quickly to develop stronger pathways for students in the coming years.
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New Victorian Shadow Cabinet Announced
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On Sunday 12 September, the new Opposition leader Matthew Guy announced his new shadow cabinet.
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"I've seen a bit of commentary. It's entirely based on merit, as you'd expect it to be. There's people in the right jobs," he told reporters.
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"We've got a number of people in regional Victoria, a number of people being promoted."
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Mr Guy has established a new portfolio for "CBD Revival" and placed newly elected deputy Liberal leader David Southwick into the role.
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Dr Matthew Bach is retained as Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Training and Skills.
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Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program
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This program has now supported 828 participants since May 2020, and 332 apprentices and trainees have commenced with a new employer.
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Currently, there are 38 participants on our active caseload:
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- Electrical - 19
- Plumbing - 5
- Carpentry - 7
- Other trades - 7
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Apprentices and trainees who have lost employment are encouraged to register.
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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.
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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.
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Do you want to be kept up to date with everything that’s happening with GAN Australia and the wider VET sector?
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Thanks to our Industry Partners
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