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AEN Newsletter - 9 May 2025
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GTO Managers Meeting & IR/FC Network Meeting
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Coaching & Mentoring for Growth
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Trade & Tech Fit Career Expo
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Adopting Mindful Living & Working
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Nominations for the 2025 Victorian Training Awards have been extended till 11:59pm Monday, 12 May.
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Creating success for the Victorian economy and learners is all about the exchange of ideas and sharing new approaches.
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The 2025 Victorian Training Awards is your opportunity to be recognised for all you’ve contributed to Victoria’s nation-leading vocational education and skills landscape, whether you are an apprentice, a trainee, student, teacher, employer, TAFE or other training provider.
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Superannuation in Volatile Markets
Global markets are currently experiencing more volatility, largely due to geopolitical developments and US trade (tariff) policy.
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It's natural to feel concerned about how your super is performing. But it’s important to remember that market ups and downs are a normal part of investing.
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While market volatility may be more noticeable in the short term, for most members, super is a long-term investment. AustralianSuper has a team of investment specialists who are experienced in actively managing member money through different market conditions and events.
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AustralianSuper has substantial liquidity and reserves to fund payments to members and to invest in opportunities as they arise.
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What a Federal Labor Win Means for Apprenticeships & VET in the Short Term
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- Maintain the 2025 Priority List and extend current Australian Apprentice Training Support and Priority Hiring Incentive payment settings by six months until 31 December 2025. This will provide consistency for employers and cost-of-living relief to apprentices in priority occupations during the consultation process.
- Increase the Living Away from Home Allowance from 1 July 2025 so apprentices can meet the costs associated with moving to take up an apprenticeship.
- Increase the Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support payment from 1 July 2025 to support employers taking on apprentices with disability. Annual review checks for apprentices with permanent disability will also be removed to reduce administrative burden.
- Introduce a new Key Apprenticeship Program with a Housing Construction Apprenticeship stream to help achieve Australia's housing commitments until 30 June 2029. This will also help with cost of living pressures by providing eligible apprentices in high priority construction occupations with up to $10,000 during their apprenticeship.
- 1 January 2025 providing small and medium businesses with access to subsidised Group Training Organisation (GTO) fees for up to 400 apprentice places, including a 20 per cent target for apprentice women.
Other key VET announcements we are likely to see to be continued include:
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- Making Free TAFE permanent, following the passage of the Free TAFE Bill 2024, which will provide financial assistance to states and territories to deliver VET places.
- TAFE Centres of Excellence, with the promise of up to 20 such centres funded jointly by the Commonwealth, states and territories.
- A 20% cut off all student loan debts from June, to include HELP, VET Student Loans and Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans.
- The Commonwealth Prac Payment, enabling students in areas such as teaching, nursing and social work to be paid while on practical placement.
- A cap of 270,000 new international enrolments across higher education and VET for 2025
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The paper explores how quality apprenticeships support young people in transitioning to rewarding employment, even in strong systems like Switzerland’s, where dropout rates still average 20%.
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Through two studies—one in media design (a high-reputation field) and one in construction (a low-reputation field)—the author identifies key factors influencing apprenticeship satisfaction and dropout rates. Positive trainer interactions and varied tasks drive satisfaction in popular fields, while wrong career choices and poor conditions lead to higher dropout in less prestigious fields.
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By integrating sociological theories, the paper highlights how addressing the specific needs of disadvantaged youth can unlock their potential in skilled trades. It concludes with policy recommendations to better support this group, emphasizing their importance to both social equity and economic growth.
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From 25 – 31 August 2025, the week dedicated to raising the status of skills and Vocational Education & Training (VET) is back.
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National Skills week 2025 returns with more opportunities, more inspiration, and more reasons than ever to 'Explore ALL the Options'.
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Supported by the Australian Government, industry, and key training organisations, National Skills Week shines a spotlight on the power of VET to unlock incredible career pathways.
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Whether you’re just starting out, re-skilling, changing industries, or simply exploring, National Skills Week empowers individuals to take control of their future and pursue meaningful, in-demand careers.
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Every May, National Careers Week is your one-stop shop for exploring career education, information and guidance.
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It connects you with fantastic resources and events to help you achieve your dream job.
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National Careers Week has something for you, whether you’re just starting out, looking for a change, or upskilling for the ever-evolving job market.
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What is National Careers Week?
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Discover the transformative power of National Careers Week, brought to you by the Career Industry Council of Australia.
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This exciting initiative celebrates the vibrant world of careers, shining a spotlight on career development, essential services, and the dedicated professionals who guide you on your journey.
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Join in to highlight the incredible economic, social, and personal benefits that effective career development brings to all Australians.
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Whether you’re taking your first steps or climbing the career ladder, National Careers Week is here to inspire and empower your future success.
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The objectives of National Careers Week are to:
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- Develop community awareness of the concept, benefit, and value of career development.
- Raise aspirations, challenge stereotypes, and broaden horizons about careers.
- Highlight the need for ongoing reskilling and upskilling to support careers throughout life.
- Identify the changing nature of work and its impact on all Australians.
- Showcase industries and the career opportunities available in them.
- Provide opportunities to partner with key stakeholders.
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Based on data, VRQA will focus on the below areas in 2025–26:
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Driving voluntary compliance
VRQA will help employers meet their obligations by running awareness campaigns and working with other regulators. The organisation will also ensure information is easy for apprentices, trainees, and their employers to find and understand.
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New employers
VRQA will visit new employers to help them understand their obligations to apprentices and trainees. Ensuring they are meeting these obligations.
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Employers with poor outcomes
Some employers have a high number of apprentices and trainees who don’t finish their training. VRQA will investigate these cases to see if the problem is due to workplace conditions or low-quality training.
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Memorandum of Understanding with WorkSafe Victoria
A new agreement with WorkSafe will ensure VRQA will share information about incidents involving apprentices and trainees. This will help to act quickly to prevent harm.
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Enduring priorities
VRQA will always prioritise preventing the most serious types of harm. These are:
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- injury or death
- poor quality workplace experiences
- exploitation and mistreatment
- insufficient learning and progress.
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Do you know an individual or organisation making outstanding contributions to Australia's vocational education and training (VET) and skills sector?
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The Australian Training Awards are the peak national awards that showcase best practice in VET.
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Finalists will compete for a national title alongside State and Territory Training Award winners at the Australian Training Awards gala event later this year.
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Nominations close Saturday 31 May.
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In today’s fast-paced work environment, effective coaching and mentoring are essential for managers, supervisors, team leaders, and field officers. By facilitating meaningful conversations with purpose and poise, they can unlock new horizons for their mentees and foster growth in individuals and teams to boost performance and create a strong foundation for future leadership.
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In this engaging workshop, award-winning facilitator Martin Probst will equip you with the essential tools and strategies to confidently coach, mentor, and guide others toward long-term success.
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Date: Wednesday 28 May 2025
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Delivery: ONLINE ONLY
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Uncover how living in the moment builds a richer and more meaningful life, career, and relationships. Explore how to be more present and purposeful in your decisions and actions, rather than reactive or on autopilot.
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In this interactive session, led by Martin Probst, a leading expert in human-centred leadership, we will explore how ‘stepping back’ and ‘stepping into’ experiences can open your mind to curiosity, creativity, and effectiveness.
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Date: Wednesday 18 June 2025
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Delivery: In Person ONLY
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Successful individuals understand that their network is their net worth and that extraordinary outcomes are achieved through strong relationships and collaboration. By establishing interpersonal connections, we build the foundation for success.
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This interactive session, led by award-winning facilitator Martin Probst, will deepen your understanding of professional networking and boost your confidence to connect and build robust relationships. You’ll learn how to leverage your network to enhance growth and create win-win opportunities.
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Date: Wednesday 9 July 2025
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Delivery: In Person ONLY
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Since the program commenced in May 2020, a total of 1,314 participants have been supported to date, with 82% being male and 18% female.
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For Individuals
Apprentices and trainees who have lost employment are encouraged to register.
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Once registered, 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.
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For Businesses
If you have an apprenticeship 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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Head on over to GAN Australia and subscribe to the newsletter 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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