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AEN Newsletter - 30 May 2025
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Trade & Tech Fit Career Expo
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Adopting Mindful Living & Working
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Embracing the Art of Networking
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Drugs, Alcohol & Workplace Risks
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IR Introduction Network Meeting
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New Federal Government Shadow Ministry Announced
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This week, Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley announced her new Shadow Ministry.
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Scott Buchholz has been appointed as the new Shadow Minister for Skills and Training.
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Angie Bell Shadow Minister for the Environment, Shadow Minister for Youth.
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Alex Hawke Manager of Opposition Business in the House, Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation.
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Zoe McKenzie Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health, Shadow Assistant Minister for Education and Early Learning.
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Dan Tehan Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction.
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Tim Wilson Shadow Minister for Small Business, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment.
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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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It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation.
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The theme for 2025 is "Bridging Now to Next," inviting reflection on our shared past and collaboration towards a united future.
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This week encourages participation in various activities to promote understanding and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
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About the theme
The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.
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Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.
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In the #NRW2025 theme artwork created by Kalkadoon woman Bree Buttenshaw, native plants which are known for regenerating after fire and thriving through adversity symbolise the collective strength and the possibilities of renewal. This is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together.
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This week the Global Apprenticeship Network held its annual general council meeting in Switzerland. GAN also released its Annual Report for 2024-25 which showcases expansion, strengthened partnerships with governments, businesses and training providers through the Employer Roadmap for Quality Apprenticeships and engagement at forums such as Davos and the ILO’s Global Business and Disability Network Conference, reinforcing our role in shaping the future of work.
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A strong emphasis on inclusion drove initiatives supporting apprenticeships for people with disabilities and vulnerable communities.
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Celebrating ten years of impact and marking leadership transitions, GAN remain committed to bridging education and employment amid digitalisation, clean energy transitions and demographic shifts.
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Tips from AustralianSuper for this EOFY
The end of the financial year is almost here, AustralianSuper explains what making extra payments means for your super, including how you could potentially save on tax.
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The NFP Scholarship provides governance education to new and aspiring NFP directors seeking to deepen their understanding of directorship so they can give even more to the communities they serve.
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Up to 375 scholarships are available for emerging NFP leaders across Australia.
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Each scholarship covers 100% of the cost of the AICD’s facilitator-led course, Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors.
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Travel and accommodation costs are not included.
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Applications Close - Sunday 15 June 2025
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Scholarship Value - Up to $1,800
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Course - Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors
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Course Duration - 1.5 days
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Federal Budget 2025-26 Update
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This year’s Federal Budget was aimed at cost-of-living relief and boosts to health funding and Medicare, housing and education. The main super-related announcement was an Australian Taxation Office (ATO) measure designed to strengthen compliance with super laws. Here’s a summary, plus previous announcements about changes to super coming into effect soon.
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The government committed $50 million to fund an ATO Tax Integrity Program to strengthen employer compliance with super obligations. It aims to give employees an estimated $31 million in unpaid superannuation over the next 5 years.
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The Super Guarantee (SG) will increase from 11.5% to 12% from 1 July 2025. The SG is the percentage of your wage that your employer must pay into your super account.
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Payday super is scheduled to start on 1 July 2026. This will mean employers will need to pay their employees’ super at the same time as salary and wages.
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The government-funded Paid Parental Leave (PPL) will also begin on 1 July 2025. And from 1 July 2026, payments will be made directly to individuals' super funds.
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Mario Biasin Legacy Scholarships
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These scholarships include:
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- 2 x Trade $2,500
- 2 x Tertiary $5,000
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following:
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- Geographic Location: Reside in and be studying and/or working within Victoria, Australia
- Residency Status: Be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Humanitarian Visa Holder
- Field of Study: Be currently enrolled in or seeking to enrol in a construction-related apprenticeship, diploma, or degree
- Financial Hardship: Demonstrated financial hardship, defined as the inability to meet basic living and education costs without external support. This may include:
- Receiving means-tested Centrelink benefits (e.g. Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY, Newstart, Disability Support Pension)
- Meeting the low income thresholds as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Government guidelines:
- Individuals earning under $45,000/year
- Partnered or dependent students from households earning under $80,000/year (+$4,000 per dependent child in the household)
- Independent students with dependents earning under $55,000/year (+$4,000 per dependent child)
The winners will be awarded at the Foundation’s Gala on 26 June 2025 in Melbourne.
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Applications close Thursday 13 June 2025.
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This week the OECD released a new report which summarises the largest and most detailed study ever of teenagers’ career aspirations and how they compare to labor market needs and skills shortages.
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What makes it particularly notable is that it compares data since 2000, and now from some 80 countries.
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It is most encouraging to see that the educational ambitions of students have increased over the last two decades.
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This reflects the efforts by teachers and schools, supported by governments, employers and charities to help young people achieve their potential.
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It is something which should be acknowledged and celebrated.
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However, the report shows that in some areas little has changed, and indeed things have got worse:
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- A young person’s socio-economic background plays a bigger role in determining their educational ambition than their academic ability
- The job expectations of students have changed little since the start of the century and now bear little relation to actual patterns of labor market demand
- Most jobs young people want remain out of reach: their career choices are narrowing and increasingly focused on a limited number of traditional, high status jobs
- Students have never been so unsure about their career prospects - many exhibit great anxiety, uncertainty and confusion about the state of their career preparation
- The percentage of students looking to work in sectors highlighted by the OECD in 2000 as being of particular strategic importance and suffering from skills shortages has remained largely unchanged
- The majority of young people are not getting enough career development opportunities which connect them with people in work and workplaces and help them understand the opportunities open to them.
The impact of the mismatch between the careers young people aspire to and the reality of the labor market revealed in this paper should be of huge concern to all countries.
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The economic and social costs are enormous employers not being able to find the future workforce they need, especially in growth areas; and large numbers of young people not fulfilling their potential, becoming NEET and all the social problems that result.
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For more information visit OECD.
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This will take effect from 1 September 2025. This provides a transition period for industry to understand and implement the changes.
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To assist employers, supervisors and apprentices in understanding the new requirements Energy Safe Victoria will be answering your questions through a series of Q&A webinars.
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For employers and supervisors
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This good practice guide for registered training organisations (RTOs) outlines six interrelated elements of student support effective in helping learners to navigate their journey and successfully complete their training.
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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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The misuse of alcohol and drugs has a significant negative impact on Australian business. It is a work health and safety matter demanding attention of both workers and management.
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Date: Tuesday 29 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 1,318 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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