Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 11, Issue 30

Friday, 24th August 2018
Hi Reader!
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Upcoming Events

29 Aug - Labour Hire Network
30 Aug - IR & Financial Controllers Network
4 Sept - Generation Gap Training
Click here for all upcoming events.

Free TAFE Course List

Late last week the Victorian Government released the full list for the Free TAFE for Priority Courses for 2019.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses will reduce the financial barrier for students wanting to train in courses that lead to jobs in demand from Victorian employers.
From 1 January 2019, Free TAFE for Priority Courses covers tuition fees for priority courses for students who are eligible for government-subsidised training. This includes:
  • 30 priority non apprenticeship courses
  • 20 Victorian apprenticeship pathway courses (sometimes called pre apprenticeships)
TAFEs may take enrolments in 2018 for Free TAFE for Priority Courses that begin in 2019.

Free TAFE course list
Free TAFE courses lead to occupations in industries where there are likely to be more jobs. Some of them lead to work in important areas like preventing family violence, rolling out the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Victoria and delivering our major infrastructure projects.
Students who are eligible for the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative can study in one of the following courses in 2019:

Non-apprenticeship courses
  • Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
  • Diploma of Accounting
  • Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
  • Advanced Diploma of Accounting
  • Certificate IV in Ageing Support
  • Certificate II in Agriculture
  • Certificate III in Agriculture
  • Certificate IV in Agriculture
  • Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production)
  • Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
  • Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
  • Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)
  • Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
  • Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying
  • Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
  • Certificate III in Civil Construction
  • Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
  • Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
  • Certificate III in Community Services
  • Certificate IV in Community Services
  • Diploma of Community Services
  • Certificate III in Concreting
  • Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing
  • Certificate IV in Cyber Security
  • Certificate III in Dental Assisting
  • Certificate IV in Dental Assisting
  • Certificate IV in Disability
  • Certificate III in Education Support
  • Certificate IV in Education Support
  • Certificate IV in Engineering
  • Certificate III in Horticulture
  • Certificate III in Hospitality
  • Certificate III in Individual Support
  • Diploma of Justice
  • Certificate IV in Mental Health
  • Diploma of Nursing
  • Certificate IV in Plumbing and Service
  • Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure
  • Certificate III in Tourism
  • Certificate IV in Youth Work
Apprenticeship pathway courses
  • Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology
  • Certificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology
  • Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
  • Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
  • Certificate II in Baking
  • Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship
  • Certificate II in Construction Pathways
  • Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies (Pre-vocational)
  • Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
  • Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
  • Certificate II in Engineering Studies
  • Certificate II in Furniture Making
  • Certificate II in Glass and Glazing
  • Certificate II in Horticulture
  • Certificate II in Meat Processing (Food Services)
  • Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)
  • Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Arts (General)
  • Certificate II in Production Nursery
  • Certificate II in Salon Assistant
  • Certificate II in Signage and Graphics
For further information please visit the Free TAFE website.

National Gender Pay Gap at 20-year Low

The national gender pay gap has reached its lowest level in 20 years at 14.6%. So, this year, Equal Pay Day will be on Friday 31 August, marking the 62 additional days from the end of the previous financial year that women must work to earn the same pay as men.

Using the latest Average Weekly Earnings data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has calculated the national gender pay gap as 14.6% for full-time employees, a difference of $244.80 per week.

Libby Lyons, Director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, said it is great news that the gender pay gap is at its lowest point in 20 years.

“This great result is recognition of the work employers have done in addressing issues such as pay equity. By collecting and analysing data, employers know where their gender equality hotspots are and can take action to improve them.

“However, we cannot become complacent as there is still much work to do. All employers need to continue to ensure their employees are paid equitably. Do a pay gap analysis. Report the results to the executive and board. Pay gaps close when leaders see the numbers.

“This improvement in the gender pay gap proves that actions speak louder than words. If every employer in Australia did a pay audit, analysed the results and then took action, we would eventually consign the national gender pay gap to the annals of history,” she said.

Despite this positive result, Ms Lyons also said that Equal Day Pay is still an important reminder that women continue to face significant barriers in the workplace, particularly in terms of pay.

For further information please visit the WGEA website.

National Skills Week 2018 - REAL SKILLS FOR REAL CAREERS

National Skills Week seeks to mobilise, inform and inspire Australians of all ages to explore the skills that Industry needs to advance Australia’s competitiveness and global opportunity. The Week is the focal point for the promotion of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system.

National Skills Week has grown in stature since its launch in 2011.

Each year, engagement from the sector increases, complemented by new and innovative ideas.

This year’s theme is REAL SKILLS FOR REAL CAREERS.

National Skills Week has been supported annually by successive Federal and State Governments. Additional support is provided by a broad range of stakeholders including RTOs, industry Associations and major corporates, with launch events taking place across the country.

Through hundreds of activities around Australia, highlighting the achievements, contributions, the career pathways, opportunities and success stories of VET.

What can you do in National Skills Week 2018 to highlight VET and its opportunities to the wider public?

Register your National Skills Week event now!

Keep up to date with information on National Skills Week via SkillsOne and National Skills Week newsletters, website and social media channel

Jobs Growth Continues For Victoria

Victoria’s accelerating jobs growth is showing no sign of slowing with nearly 30,000 jobs created in July alone – the highest monthly employment growth in the nation in both absolute and percentage terms.

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that in the 12 months to July, more than 94,000 jobs were created in Victoria – the equal highest percentage of job creation in the nation.

Of the new jobs created, 234,300 of them are full time. The State’s unemployment rate dropped 0.6 percentage points to 5.0 per cent – the lowest unemployment rate in more than six years in Victoria.

Victoria now has the second lowest unemployment rate in Australia, just 0.1 percentage points behind New South Wales.

The youth unemployment rate in the year to July averaged 0.6 percentage points lower than the previous year – its lowest annual rate since February 2014.

To access the ABS information please visit the ABS website.

Cutting Victorian Electricity Bills With Solar Hot Water & Solar Power

Recently the Victorian government announced two new programs that will reduce household energy usage.

Solar power & Solar hot water rebate programs.

Solar Hot Water - Victorian households can replace their old hot water system with a new solar system and get $1,000 back off the cost via a rebate. This will save the average Victorian household between $160 to $400 a year off their electricity bills.

The solar hot water rebate is part of Labor’s massive new Solar Homes program, which is putting power back into the hands of Victorians and cutting electricity bills by providing half price solar panels to 650,000 households.

Not all homes can have solar panels installed because of issues such as roof design or shade, which is why the Government is providing the $1,000 rebate on solar hot water systems as part of the program. It means Victorians who can’t install solar panels will still be able to save hundreds of dollars a year on their electricity bills.

The $1,000 rebate is available to up to 6,000 households from today and will be expanded to 60,000 households from July next year, under a re-elected Labor Government.

The rebate is available to Victorians with a household income of up to $180,000 who live in their own home valued at up to $3 million – and who haven’t already installed half price solar panels under the program.

Solar power - Under the $1.24 billion program, Victorians will be able to install a solar panel system for half price and pay the rest of the cost back over four years with an interest-free loan.
This will save the typical Victorian household up to $2,225 for installation of an average 4kW solar system and help them save $890 a year on their electricity bills.

Labor’s Solar Homes program will bring the number of homes in Victoria with solar panels to one million within ten years - saving Victorians more than $500 million a year on their electricity bills once the program is complete.

It will also cut our carbon emissions by almost four million tonnes – the same as taking one million of Victoria’s 4.6 million cars off the road – and generate 12.5 per cent of Victoria’s 40 per cent target for renewable energy by 2025.

Safety is paramount, and the Solar Homes program includes $9 million to support accreditation of 4,500 electricians to install solar hot water and solar panel systems. These systems will only be installed by accredited solar installers using approved products to ensure the highest safety standards.

A new independent agency – Solar Victoria – will be established to work with industry, regulators and training organisations to deliver the program, which will create almost 5,500 new jobs.

To find out more information please visit the Solar Victoria.

AEN Awards - Nominatons Open

Nominations for the 2018 AEN Annual Awards opened on the 1 August.

Each year AEN presents a number of awards to recognise the great work apprentices, trainees, GTOs and their staff do across the State.

Awards include:
  • ATO Best Victorian Apprentice and Trainee Award
  • Outstanding OH&S Initiative Award
  • GTO Service Excellence Award
  • OH&S STAR Award
  • GTO Industry Service Awards
  • AEN Lifetime Achievement Awards

    The awards will be presented at the AEN annual dinner on Thursday 22 November.

    Tickets will be available shortly.

    Nominations close 28 September.

    To access all the nomination forms and further details please visit the AEN website.

Melbourne Career Expo - 26-28th July 2019

CareerExpo
MELBOURNE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE, SOUTH WHARF
26 – 28th JULY 2019

JUST LAUNCHED

The Melbourne Career Expo, is the most comprehensive and exciting Careers event in Victoria. Running for 18 years it is also one of the longest, most successful expos in Melbourne.

This is a great opportunity to get face to face with more than 16,000 students, graduates, Job seekers and those in the Job change market. Showcasing over 150 exhibitors ranging from Universities, TAFE’s, Registered Training Organisations, Government Departments and large employers, this is an event no to be missed.

Once again we have secured the services of the highly respected Career Development Association of Victoria who will be offering Free Resume Checking, Career Counselling and free career Workshops.

We pride ourselves on running an interactive event where visitors not only receive information about future study, training or employment options, but also get to see some of these exciting vocations in real practice.

Our exhibitors showcase a range of their information through free stage performances, interactive stand demonstrations, free seminars and hands on
skill areas, so you can reinforce your organisation's brand through a visual or
informative exhibit.

The expo has large vehicles, machinery and simulators on display, interactive trade skills, hospitality tastings, makeup and hair demonstrations, visual and performing
arts performances and fitness demonstrations, so our attendees enjoy their time at the event and get to visualise their chosen profession. This is what makes the Melbourne Career Expo stand out from the rest.

For a Free E-Ticket or exhibiting opportunities please visit the Career Expo website or contact Bill Lennox on 03 9620 9920 or via bill@careerexpo.com.au

NCVER Update

NCVER this week released the following data reports:

VET essential to skilling our future workforce

VET has an important role to play in equipping Australia’s workforce with the skills it will need to address the impact of disruptive technologies, according to a new report.

This new research shows that while demand for specialist digital skills is expected to rise, it is generic and non-technical skills like team-work, problem solving, creativity and continuous learning that will be integral to the successful implementation of disruptive technologies in the workplace.

It also identifies barriers that prevent the VET sector from better developing the skills required for addressing and implementing disruptive technologies, including a lack of integration between the VET and higher education sectors, resourcing constraints, and the limitations of training packages to allow for training in an environment of rapid change.

To learn more, download the report on our Portal.

First release of total VET completion rates
New data estimates that 47% of all VET programs started in 2016 at certificate I or above will be completed.

VET program completion rates 2016 uses the most recent NCVER data to estimate completion rates for total VET programs commencing in 2015 and 2016 for the first time.

Estimated completion rates for government-funded VET programs commencing between 2012 and 2016 are also included.

School students still choosing VET
The number of school students undertaking VET programs as part of their Senior Secondary Certificate of Education has decreased only slightly to 242 100 in 2017.

VET in Schools 2017 also shows that Certificate II programs continue to be the most popular qualification level, with 55.7% of VET in Schools students enrolled.

The number of school-based apprentices and trainees increased in 2017, up 16.1% to 20 000 when compared with 2016.

Milestones in the history of VET
A new timeline has been added to the VET Knowledge Bank: Milestones in the history of VET.

The new timeline highlights key events in Australia's VET history, beginning with the 1952-54 Wright Committee Inquiry that led to the duration of apprenticeships being reduced to four years.

It also includes other milestones such as the establishment of group training, the introduction of competency-based training, and the implementation of training packages.

Thanks to our Industry Partners

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