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AEN Newsletter - 20 June 2025
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Adopting Mindful Living & Working
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Conduct Hazard Analysis Course
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Drugs, Alcohol & Workplace Risks
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IR Introduction Network Meeting
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Mastering Constructive Feedback
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WorldSkills National Championships & Skills Show
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The 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships & Skills Show has wrapped up in spectacular fashion, drawing record crowds and awarding the nation’s best young apprentices and trainees with a bold new medallion that celebrates craftsmanship and unity.
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Held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 12–14 June, the event brought together more than 35,000 visitors, who witnessed over 600 competitors from every state and territory go head-to-head across more than 60 skill categories, ranging from cyber security and cabinetmaking to cookery, floristry and plumbing.
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One of the largest National Championships in WorldSkills Australia’s 44-year history, the 2025 event was a high-energy celebration of vocational excellence shining a national spotlight on the vital role trades and skills play in Australia’s economic future.
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Top Honours and Medal Tally:
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- Best of Nation – Lily-Grace Toohill, Victoria- Jewellery recognised as the highest-performing competitor across all categories.
- VETiS Shield – NSW, awarded Best Performing State for Vocational Education and Training in Schools.
- Evatt Shield – Melbourne East Region, awarded Best Performing Region.
Competitors who excelled in WorldSkills-recognised international categories may now be selected to join Team Australia (“The Skillaroos”), representing the nation at the 48th WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, September 2026.
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Victorian businesses and individuals making strides in workplace health and safety are invited to share their stories by entering the 2025 WorkSafe Awards.
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The awards celebrate achievements that reduce harm in Victorian workplaces, rewarding the employers, workers or teams that have prevented health and safety risks and supported injured people returning to work.
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Workplaces that have adopted best practices and promoted a safer culture are encouraged to apply, with award categories recognising Victoria’s health and safety representatives (HSRs), excellence in OHS, innovative safety solutions, successful return to work initiatives, and management of psychosocial risks.
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The categories for this year’s awards are:
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- Excellence in Preventing and Managing Psychosocial Risk
- Farm Safety Solution
- Health and Safety Representative of the Year
- Leading Return to Work Practice
- OHS Leadership/Achievement
- Worker Return to Work Achievement
- Workplace Health and Safety Solution of the Year
Nominations close Monday 30 June 2025.
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Winners will be announced at the WorkSafe Awards presentation and dinner in February 2026.
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The Edge Foundation Grants & Scholarships
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The Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Australia is excited to provide 8 x $1000 scholarships through its The Edge Foundation Grants and Scholarships program again for 2025.
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The Edge Foundation honours the work of the late Judith Wright, poet, environmentalist and campaigner for Aboriginal Land Rights and recipient of the Australian National Living Treasure Award in 1998.
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This scholarship is committed to recognising and promoting the youth training and career work undertaken by Group Training Organisations and the Apprentice Employment Network in each state.
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This is open to current apprentices and trainees under the age of 21 employed by a Group Training Organisation that is an AEN member in that state. Apprentices or Trainees must be in employment as of 30th June 2025.
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The scholarship is to be used for career development. It cannot be used to purchase items unrelated to their apprenticeship or traineeship.
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8 x $1000 scholarships are available. Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT intend to provide one scholarship per Australian state or territory. Should there be no nominations from a state or territory, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards reserves the right to reallocate the unused funds to another state to issue.
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To make a nomination, Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT will ask the apprentice/trainee (or Field Officer, should the individual have a barrier to present) to submit a 60-second video. In the video, they will need to tell us the following:
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- Who are they, and where are they from?
- What is their apprenticeship or traineeship?
- What are their career ambitions?
- How will a $1000 scholarship help them achieve their career ambitions?
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The more information they share about themselves, the better the judges understand their story. They can provide a PDF file containing their resume and other supporting documentation with the nomination.
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Applications close Friday 8th August 2025.
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Pressing Workforce Issues
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On 13 June 2025, Federal, State, and Territory Skills Ministers convened in Brisbane to address pressing workforce issues and enhance Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system. The meeting focused on strategies to alleviate workforce shortages, particularly in the housing construction sector, and to strengthen the integrity and quality of training nationwide.
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Boosting the Construction Workforce
Recognising the critical role of skilled workers in meeting housing supply demands, Ministers discussed initiatives to expand the construction workforce. Key programs highlighted include Fee-Free TAFE Construction courses, efforts to increase female participation through the Construction Industry Culture Standard, the Advanced Entry Trades Training Program aimed at helping 6,000 tradespeople gain formal qualifications, and the Key Apprenticeship Program – Housing and Construction Stream.
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Enhancing Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Acknowledging the importance of apprentices and trainees in addressing Australia's skills needs, Ministers committed to increasing commencements and completions in priority areas. A Future Apprenticeships Workplan is set to be developed, outlining immediate and long-term actions to support growth in these areas. This plan will be approved by Skills Ministers in the third quarter of 2025.
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Upholding Training Integrity
Maintaining the integrity of the VET system remains a central focus. The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) briefed Ministers on revised outcome-focused standards for Registered Training Organisations, aimed at driving quality improvements. Ministers noted ASQA's ongoing efforts to build provider capacity and ensure the integrity of the training system.
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Progress Towards a National TAFE Network
Ministers noted progress in establishing a National TAFE Network, with five jurisdictions signing on to this initiative. The network aims to foster collaboration and consistency across TAFE institutions nationwide.
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The Council is scheduled to reconvene in December 2025 to further advance national priorities.
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Inquiry Investigates Student Pathways to In-Demand Industries
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Victoria’s future employment needs are the focus of a new parliamentary inquiry that is inviting public submissions. The Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee is examining the pathways that will link students to industries that are vital to Victoria’s economic development and that need skilled employees into the future.
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“This is an important inquiry because actions taken today will help to determine the future economic success of our state,” Committee Chair Alison Marchant said. By 2034, over 1.4 million new workers are expected to enter the Victorian workforce to meet the demands of the economy and replace retirees. Over 85% of expected new workers in Victoria will need a post-secondary qualification to gain employment over the next decade. “This inquiry will be examining the types of support students need to gain employment in industries that are in demand,” Ms Marchant said.
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The Committee is looking at how to guide and support students to pursue employment in industries that are in demand, such as health care, social assistance and construction, among others.
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They will examine pathways into vocational education and training and higher education, how well school career development is meeting the needs of students and industry, and how to better support regional students, female students wanting to work in male-dominated industries and students facing disadvantage to pursue pathways into in-demand industries.
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Please note that AEN plan to make a submission and will provide a draft for further consultation with members.
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Recently the Apprenticeships Victoria Helpdesk was opened for apprentices and other stakeholders to seek advice and support. Who can contact the Apprentice Helpdesk?
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The helpdesk is a free service for:
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- apprentices and trainees
- parents and guardians of apprentices or trainees
- support workers
- training and teaching staff
employers
The helpdesk provides information, guidance and support on various issues affecting apprentices and trainees, including:
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- training contracts, rights and responsibilities
- wages and entitlements
- supervision
- training and progression
- safety and wellbeing, including workplace bullying or harassment
- retrenchment
For complex issues or complaints, the helpdesk can refer the matter to the right regulator or authority for you.
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Contact the Apprentice Helpdesk
Phone: 1300 311 820
Time: 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday (closed public holidays)
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The latest NCVER report shows that trade apprentices and trainees in-training dropped by 2.9% in the December 2024 quarter, while and non-trades fell 19.1%.
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Apprentices and trainees 2024 — December quarter provides a national picture of apprentice and trainee activity, including both quarterly and annual figures that can be broken down by state and territory.
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Commencements decreased by 13.9% overall. The largest decreases were among Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers, (down 740, or by 17.1%, to 3,565) and Construction Trade Workers, (down 690, or by 16.0%, to 3,615). These occupations accounted for 25.5% and 25.8% of all commencing trade contracts respectively.
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This research uniquely amplifies the voices of First Nations and migrant learners who have disengaged from foundation skills courses. By understanding their goals, experiences, and recommendations, ways to better support their completion are identified.
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The research explores how these learners first encountered the courses, their motivations for enrolling, the supports available, and the barriers they continue to face. Participants directly shared their training experiences and suggested improvements, offering valuable insights to enhance the effectiveness of foundation skills programs.
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More than a record of what happened over those four unforgettable days, the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 Impact report reveals the far-reaching impact of the WorldSkills Competition, which brought together the world’s most talented young professionals determined to demonstrate the power of skills to transform lives, industries, and societies.
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Through the lens of its three guiding pillars inspiration, innovation, and sustainability WorldSkills Lyon 2024 not only celebrated skills excellence but also redefined how the global stage for skills can empower youth, engage local and national communities, and lead by example in sustainability.
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2025 Events
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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 9 July 2025
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Delivery: Online via Zoom
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A Statement of Attainment containing the following units of competency will be awarded to students who are deemed competent in the training & assessment.
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MSMWHS201: Conduct Hazard Analysis
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LLN: Language, Literacy and Numeracy Test
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Date: Tuesday 22 July 2025
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Delivery: AEN Office (83 Hobsons Road, Kensington)
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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 1,323 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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