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AEN Newsletter - 15 August 2025
Mastering Constructive Feedback
Head Start / AEN Workshop
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Privacy in Action: What you need to Know
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Stressing Less, Living More
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We've received many requests over the past few days from members requesting more time and we want to ensure everybody has a fair opportunity and adequate time to perfect their nominations.
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Top Tips
Read the Nominations Guide
Make sure you read the Nominations Guide carefully to ensure you have met all eligibility requirements and can address all criteria for the category you would like to enter.
Ask for help
Prepare a draft of your nomination and ask a friend, mentor, teacher, employer or parent to read through and make any suggestions.
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Don't forget to proofread the nomination before submitting.
If you have haven't started your nomination, NOW IS THE TIME!
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Nominations now close Friday 22 August 2025 at 11.59pm.
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No further extensions will be granted.
Nominate today and be a part of this extraordinary celebration of excellence!
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The Australian Government is conducting an inquiry into Building a skilled and adaptable workforce. As part of this work, is to identify priority reforms and developing actionable recommendations.
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In this interim report released this week, the draft recommendations focused on three key policy reform areas:
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- The best resources to improve school student outcomes
- Building skills and qualifications for a more productive workforce
- Fit-for-purpose occupational entry regulations.
Feedback and further information from individuals, businesses and organisations is requested.
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Your insights will help strengthen their recommendations and identify practical pathways for implementation.
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The Skills Guarantee uses the Australian Government’s significant purchasing power to help address skills shortages in the ICT and construction sectors.
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The updated PCP broadens eligible training pathways for ICT projects.
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From 1 October 2025, new national targets for apprentices, trainees, women, and other types of learning workers will apply to eligible Australian Government ICT procurements with an estimated individual value of $10 million or more.
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Recently the 2025 Victorian Training Awards finalists were announced.
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The Victorian Training Awards recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in the Victorian TAFE and training sector.
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As always, they have received a high calibre of applications this year and are proud to introduce the 2025 finalists.
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Gala ceremony: Friday 19 September 2025
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On 1 September 2025, new requirements take effect for the effective supervision of apprentice electricians.
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Energy Safe Victoria (Energy Safe) published a video in May 2025 to introduce the forthcoming changes, following consultation on the draft requirements.
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Six webinars were held during June 2025, with Energy Safe subject matter experts answering questions about the updated requirements.
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Their website has now published the questions submitted through the webinar series and ESV answers.
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Super should be super for everyone.
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However, on average First Nations people have lower super balances when they retire than the general population AustralianSuper aims for all members to achieve their best financial position in retirement. That’s why they support and advocate for making the superannuation system fairer for everyone.
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To help super be super for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, AustralianSuper has a range of initiatives and programs to improve financial inclusion and access to super for First Nations members.
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Super made easy videos
AustralianSuper together with the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network (ICAN) and the First Nations Foundation produced a series of helpful videos. These videos include the basics of superannuation explained in simple terms, with supporting images on-screen to help make it easier to understand the key concepts and messages.
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Outreach program support
Some First Nations members may find it hard to engage with super due to distance, technology or cultural reasons. That’s why AustralianSuper has an outreach program where staff travel to remote areas to directly help members with super admin, answer questions and provide education about superannuation.
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Dedicated phone line for First Nations members
AustralianSuper was the first super fund in Australia to offer a dedicated option in its phone system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members. The phone line has culturally trained staff who provide a more knowledgeable and efficient experience. The line takes over 3,000 calls a month. It also has a service for booking an interpreter to support members in a variety of First Nations languages.
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There’s also a dedicated team within AustralianSuper’s Bereavement Centre which has been given cultural training to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members with Sorry Business, which is when someone has passed away.
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Paid internships
Since 2019 AustralianSuper has partnered with Career Trackers, a program which links First Nations university students with employers for paid internships during their summer or winter breaks. The students spend a few months at AustralianSuper working in teams aligned to their studies, and have the opportunity to return the following year to continue their placement. This helps them to build their experience in areas they’re passionate about.
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Radio programs
Six radio programs have been created which aim to simplify super and insurance for First Nations peoples. These were also translated and played on CAAMA Radio in a First Nations language. They were made in partnership with the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Agency (CAAMA), which is Australia’s largest Aboriginal media organisation.
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First Nations resources page
In response to requests from members, AustralianSuper created a web page with useful resources and superannuation information for First Nations members and Financial Counsellors. The page includes links to videos, radio programs and various forms including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples identification form.
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For more information visit AustralianSuper.
Disclaimers:
Sponsored by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd, ABN 94 006 457 987, AFSL 233788, Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898.
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Any general advice provided in this article is provided under the AFSL held by AustralianSuper, it does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision, consider if the information is right for you and refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement, available at australiansuper.com/PDS or by calling 1300 300 273. A Target Market Determination (TMD) is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the TMDs at australiansuper.com/TMD.
1 The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia Limited (ASFA), Superannuation balances of First Nations individuals, July 2024. Data extracted for ASFA from the HILDA data base.
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CND Contractors Pty Ltd was sentenced in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court this week after pleading guilty to one charge of failing to provide and maintain a safe system of work, and one charge of failing to provide workers with necessary supervision.
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The company was fined without conviction and ordered to pay costs of $4,365.
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In October 2023, the first-year apprentice was fabricating a metal footing cage when sparks from the welding process ignited his clothing.
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After realising he was on fire, the apprentice ran outside and attempted to extinguish the flames by rolling on the ground, but was unsuccessful. Still alight, he ran back inside and shouted for help before co-workers used a hose to put out the flames.
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The teenager was airlifted to Melbourne and spent a month in hospital, undergoing multiple surgeries including skin grafts to his stomach, chest, upper arms, neck, back, buttocks and hips. He continues to suffer both emotionally and physically from widespread scarring, including mobility issues and tightness in his chest.
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At the time of the incident, the apprentice was wearing a welding helmet, a long sleeve shirt and a branded hoodie supplied by CND. He had supplied the rest of his clothing himself, including leather gauntlets which protected his hands and forearms from the fire.
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To control risks to operators undertaking welding, employers should ensure:
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- Operators hold an appropriate certificate or have had required training or experience.
- The welding area and equipment is dry before work starts.
- Operators are adequately supervised by a certified welding supervisor.
- Operators never weld near flammable substances.
- Electrodes and welding wire in their holder or the welding guns are never touched with bare hands.
- Operators never hold welding guns under the armpit.
- Operators are provided with and use appropriate PPE (including but not limited to auto darkening helmets, long cuff welding gloves, fire resistant protective clothing, rubber soled boots and respiratory protective equipment when necessary).
- Fumes and gases are removed from the breathing zone through ventilation.
- Welding equipment is regularly inspected and maintained.
- The workplace has fire safety equipment such as alarm systems, fire extinguishers, hydrants, hoses and fire blankets.
- Workers have been trained in emergency procedures.
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Source: This article has been published on the WorkSafe Victoria website.
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The theme for this year's National Bullying Prevention Week is Act On It! We're calling on all Australians to step up and take safe, confident action when bullying happens - in the moment.
We’re shining a spotlight on courage transforming bystanders into upstanders.
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Whether you’ve experienced bullying or not, whether you’re already an Actionist or just curious there’s a role for everyone.
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From schools to workplaces, concerned parents and citizens, we’ve got ideas and tools to help you Act On It, and spread the message.
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For more information and resources visit Bully Zero.
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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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Selection Process
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?
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 have been extended and will now close on Saturday 16 August 2025.
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2025 Events
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We are all familiar with the process of receiving and giving feedback but often lack the tools to make it a graceful, constructive, and positive experience. Feedback can be challenging to deliver, but when handled effectively, it fosters growth and contributes to a positive work environment.
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In this engaging workshop, award-winning facilitator Martin Probst will provide you with the skills to confidently lead feedback conversations while minimising push-backs by establishing a feedback-ready culture. You will leave with powerful feedback techniques designed to promote growth and development in yourself and others.
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Date: Wednesday 20 August 2025
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Delivery: Online via Zoom
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In a world where information is constantly shared and accessed, understanding privacy is more important than ever. Join us for an insightful session designed to unpack the principles of privacy and why they matter in both professional and everyday settings.
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Whether you’re handling personal data at work or navigating digital spaces in daily life, this session will provide practical guidance on protecting information, recognising privacy risks, and maintaining confidentiality. Build your awareness, strengthen your confidence, and take proactive steps toward responsible data handling.
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Date: Wednesday 10 September 2025
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Delivery: AEN Office (83 Hobsons Road, Kensington)
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In a world where information is constantly shared and accessed, understanding privacy is more important than ever. Join us for an insightful session designed to unpack the principles of privacy and why they matter in both professional and everyday settings.
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Whether you’re handling personal data at work or navigating digital spaces in daily life, this session will provide practical guidance on protecting information, recognising privacy risks, and maintaining confidentiality. Build your awareness, strengthen your confidence, and take proactive steps toward responsible data handling.
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Date: Tuesday 16 October 2025
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Delivery: Online via Zoom
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Since the program commenced in May 2020, a total of 1,336 participants have been supported to date, with 82% being male and 18% female.
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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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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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