Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 15, Issue 32

Friday, 30th September 2022
Hi Reader!

Upcoming Events

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5 Oct Apprentice Wellbeing Lifeskills Program
10 Oct Youth Mental Health First Aid (Accredited)
18 Oct Indigenous Cultural Recruitment
26 Oct Supporting Apprentices with Disability

GAN Conference - Registrations Now Open!

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We invite you to be a part of 'The Future of Apprenticeships Perspectives from Switzerland, New Zealand and Australia striving for excellence' 2023 GAN Melbourne Conference

On behalf of the conference organising committee of 'The Future of Apprenticeships: Perspectives from Switzerland, New Zealand and Australia striving for excellence', we are pleased invite you to be a part of a leading event focused on reigniting apprenticeships in Australia and connecting like minded international collaborators, government stakeholders, industry participants, group training organisations, unions and educational institutions to build economic prosperity by working together.

The conference promises to be an excellent opportunity to network and connect with industry stake holders, participate in a range of workshops, study tours, facilitated debates and attend industry network events.

Melbourne: 5th February to 8th February 2023 (inc. travel to Aukland, NZ on 8th February)
Auckland: 9th February to 10th February 2023

VCCI - State Election Platform 2022

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 2022 recently launched its State Election advocacy - Powering Victoria’s Future and building the best state for business.
VCCI Powering Victorias Future
The paper has 61 recommendations covering 4 key areas.

Pillar 1: Strengthening Victoria’s jobs and skills
Pillar 2: Building Victoria as the best state to operate a business
Pillar 3: Driving Victoria’s economy
Pillar 4: Growing Regional Victoria

To access the full policy paper please visit Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Women & Leadership Scholarship Applications Extended

Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) would like to acknowledge the tremendous response to the recent announcement regarding scholarship funding for women in the Education, Training and Development Sector.

Please be advised that applications have been extended until October 7.

For those who missed the announcement, WLA is currently offering professional development scholarships for Group Training Association of Victoria staff and members. The scholarships are open to women across all areas of the Education, Training and Development Sector, and the WLA encourage you to share this opportunity with your members.

Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) supports women at all levels across all sectors and industries. Our career-defining leadership programs bring together a focus on applied learning with the latest in leadership theory and practice. We believe that advancing gender equity, especially in leadership, is central to creating a more fair and inclusive society.

Through our Industry Partnership Framework, we work with hundreds of Australian associations and professional bodies to increase awareness and action around gender equity. With your support, we can continue to create meaningful opportunities for women leaders across the country.

Scholarships of $1000-$5000 per person are available for women in the Education, Training and Development Sector

To encourage more women to increase their impact at work and step into leadership roles across the Education, Training and Development Sector, WLA is offering scholarships for four leadership development courses.

WorkSafe Victoria – October Health and Safety Month

WorkSafe Health and Safety Month will present its biggest ever program of events when it returns to the road next month, following two years of online-only sessions due to COVID-19.

Regional Events will take place between 4 & 21 October. With webinars running from 24 October to 28 October 2022.

For a full list of FREE WorkSafe Health and Safety Month events, please visit WorkSafe.

National OH&S Safety Month

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October is National Safe Work Month - a time to commit to building a safe and healthy workplace.

Being healthy and safe means being free from physical and psychological harm. A safe and healthy workplace benefits everyone.

During October each year, Safe Work Australia asks businesses, employers and workers across Australia to join National Safe Work Month and commit to building safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians.

Supporting the overarching theme of know safety, work safely, each week focuses on a different health and safety area:

Week 1: Injuries at work
Week 2: Mental health
Week 3: Managing WHS risks and preventing harm
Week 4: Safe and healthy work for all

We encourage you to visit National Safe Work Month to explore the information and events.

2022 Apprentice Training Awards - Nominations CLOSED!

Nominations have now closed for the 2022 Apprentice Training Awards.

DATES TO REMEMBER
Finalist Announced: 14 October 2022
Awards Presented: 23 November 2022

Campaign Backs More Women to Build a Career in Construction

Building Futures
A new campaign that highlights the success of women in construction will be used to encourage more women and girls to pursue a career in the building industry, breaking down long-standing barriers. Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas launched the “She Built It” digital, radio and print campaign at a social housing construction site in Ascot Vale where women are taking lead roles and excelling.

Despite changing attitudes and increased opportunity in some areas, women still comprise fewer than three per cent of building and construction trades workers in Victoria.

Some 200 social and affordable homes are being constructed at the Homes Victoria site in Dunlop Avenue, Ascot Vale, where half of the trainees, apprentices and cadets are women. Women make up more than 40 per cent of construction partner Built’s project team at Ascot Vale.

Running from Monday, 26 September, “She Built It” will appear on streaming services, YouTube, Spotify and news sites, in regional newspapers and on radio across the state including multicultural stations. The campaign will complement the Victorian Government’s Building Equality Policy which applies to large government projects and requires the representation of women in at least three per cent of each trade role, seven per cent of each non-trade position and 35 per cent of management, supervisor and specialist labour roles.

The Building Equality Policy also requires that four per cent of labour hours for apprentices and trainees be performed by women. In the first half of this year, 14 projects worth $15.8 billion have implemented minimum female representation in their respective workforces.
The Government has invested $3.5 million to support the implementation of the Building Equality Policy and a further $1.5 million to implement the Women in Construction Strategy.
Initiatives include the creation of the Building Futures Women in Construction job-matching website, a respectful workplaces code of practice, and tools and resources for students, parents, teachers, women and employers.

Workforce Australia Information

The Department has published translated fact sheets in Arabic, Dari, Persian, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese to help people understand Workforce Australia.

This includes:
  • About Workforce Australia
  • Information about your points target
  • How to earn points
  • Workforce Australia – Transition to Work
  • Workforce Australia – Self-Employment Assistance
  • Workforce Australia – Entrepreneurship Facilitators
Unemployment rate rises in August
The ABS’ Labour Force survey recorded a 0.1 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate to 3.5% in August. The underemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points, to 5.9%, and is well below the 8.8% recorded in March 2020 (see attached ABS Labour Force Results - August 2022).

Record number of people with multiple jobs
The ABS’ Labour Account data revealed a 14% increase in vacant jobs in the June quarter, with a record number of workers holding multiple jobs and underemployment at historical lows.

Recruitment difficulty remains high in August
The National Skills Commission’s (NSC) Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey found recruitment activity remained high with 56% of employers reporting recruitment activity (down 3 percentage points from July but 18 per cent higher on the year). The recruitment difficulty rate eased by 1 percentage point to 74% of recruiting employers—the second-highest recruitment difficulty rate recorded. The proportion of employers expecting to increase staff increased by 6 percentage points to 31%.

Online job ads rebound in August
The NSC’s Internet Vacancy Index shows August job advertisements increased by 2.6% (or 7,700 adverts) to 301 thousand, after a decline in July. Over the past 12 months there has been sustained growth in recruitment with job adverts up by 38% (or 82 thousand ads).

Labour Force survey detailed results
The ABS’ August Labour Force survey detailed results have been released. Of note are the strong levels of employment growth recorded over the quarter for both the Construction and Retail Trade industries. The Regional Labour Force Figures (ABS Regional Labour Force Figures - August 2022).

For further information please visit Workforce Australia.

Grants to Drive Workforce Innovation and Skills

The Victorian Government has revamped two key grants programs to align them better with the needs of Victorian industries, regions, and disadvantaged learners so that these programs better support industry to find the workers they need.

A new streamlined grant process will make it easier for applicants and provide them with better up-front guidance on priorities, with areas of critical need aligned closely with the recently released Victorian Skills Plan.

Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney said the Regional and Specialist Training Fund and Workforce Training and Innovation Funds guidelines have been changed to ensure better alignment the growth opportunities and skills needs for the Victorian economy.

The Regional and Specialist Training Fund (RSTF) enables training providers to address specific training gaps in regional areas by providing financial support to deliver courses which would otherwise not be available for employers and students at regional TAFEs.

The Workforce Training Innovation Fund (WTIF) provides grants for initiatives that will make the training and TAFE system more effective in meeting industry skill needs in areas of the Victorian Labor Government’s economic growth priorities.

Under the new RSTF guidelines, all Victorian training providers with a Skills First VET Funding Contract can apply for funding. Under the new WTIF guidelines, TAFES, RTOS, industry and employers can apply for funding.

Guidelines will be updated annually to ensure they align with the latest Victorian Skills Authority Skills Plan and the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery's Statement of Priorities.

Applications for both funds will be open three times a year, with the next round running from September 21 to October 28, 2022. Opportunities in between rounds may arise at times to meet workforce needs or priorities.

OECD Report: Preparing Vocational Teachers and Trainers

OECD Preparing Vocational Teachers and Trainers

Teachers and in-company trainers are central to Vocational Education and Training (VET), as they support the school-to-work transitions of learners from diverse backgrounds. VET teachers develop learners’ skills in school-based settings, while in-company trainers support learners during their time in work-based learning.

Different countries use different strategies to ensure an adequate supply of well-prepared VET teachers and trainers.
This report focuses on two aspects: entry requirements for the VET teaching and training profession to ensure quality and consistency; and initial education and training for VET teachers and trainers to ensure that they are well-prepared when taking up their role.

It draws lessons from policies and practices in Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway for developing a skilled teaching and training workforce through entry requirements and training, while maintaining sufficient flexibility.

Daylight Savings

Daylight Savings October 2022
When local standard time is about to reach 2am on Sunday 2 October 2022, clocks are turned forward 1 hour to 3am.

Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on Sunday 2 October 2022 than the day before giving more light in the evening.

Upcoming AEN Professional Development

Training

Upcoming PD in October

10 October - Youth Mental Health First Aid (Accredited)
18 October - Indigenous Cultural Recruitment
26 October - Supporting Apprentices with Disability

Registrations
For more information about these PD sessions and to register, please go to AEN Events Calendar and select the event. All prices include GST.

AEN Members: Please login to Member’s area prior to purchasing tickets to access the member rate or to RSVP for a free event.

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program

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Out of Trade Banner
Since the program commenced in May 2020, a total of 910 participants have been supported with 820 currently in training:
  • 83.8% Male
  • 15.9% Female
The top three occupations are Electrical, Plumbing, and Carpentry.
Currently, there are 16 candidates on our active caseload:
  • Electrical - 4
  • Automotive - 1
  • Plumbing - 3
  • Carpentry - 3
  • Business - 2
  • Other - 3
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.

NCVER Update

How did Gen Z navigate life at 21?

The latest Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) data is now available and shows that the health and life satisfaction of young Australians have declined.

Findings reveal that, when comparing 21-year-olds in 2015 with 21-year-olds in 2021, those who felt happy about their future decreased to 79% (down from 88%), while those who were happy with their career prospects dropped to 76% (down from 84%). Those satisfied with the state of the economy decreased by 15 percentage points to 46% (down from 61%).

Additionally, those who reported having a disability or health problem that limits the type of study or work they can do increased to 13% (up by 5 percentage points).

Financial hardship was also a concern for 21-year-olds in 2021, with 28% experiencing financial stress. One in eight went without meals, and one in seven did not get medicines they needed or go to the doctor.

However, the proportion of young people securing employment in 2021 grew after stagnating in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report shows that 87% of 21-year-olds were employed in 2021, an increase of 8 percentage points compared to when they were 20 years old in 2020. Of those employed, 34% secured full-time work while 56% were working part-time.
Do you want to be kept up to date with everything that’s happening with GAN Australia and the wider VET sector?

Head on over to GAN Australia and subscribe now.
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Thanks to our Industry Partners

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ApprenticeshipSupportAustralia
AustralianApprenticeshipsPathways
AustralianSuper
VictorianChamberOfCommerceAndIndustry
WorkSight
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Marsh
SafetyFirst

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