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AEN Newsletter - 12 September 2025
Ai Unpacked: What it Means for Life, Work and the Future
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Driving Organisational Performance
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Chairing Productive Meetings
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AI Unpacked 2.0: from Theory to Practice
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Apprentice Training Awards
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2025 GAN International Scholarship Recipient
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Originally from the UK, Gemma brings a unique blend of scientific curiosity and hands-on expertise to her trade, with a background in veterinary nursing and oceanography. Her passion for sustainability, mentoring, and technical excellence has made her a standout in the field.
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Gemma is a vocal advocate for women in trades, a mentor to new apprentices, and an active contributor to community service through the Frankston Coastguard. She’ll be presenting at the 2025 Tradeswomen Australia Expo to inspire the next generation of tradeswomen.
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Her proposed study tour to Aggreko’s global HQ in Glasgow will deepen her knowledge of hybrid energy systems, battery storage, and smart grid technologies insights she plans to bring back to support Australia’s clean energy transition.
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Gemma’s journey is a powerful example of resilience, leadership, and the future of vocational excellence.
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Congratulations to Gemma and thanks to the team at Ai Group Apprentice and Trainee Centre and Aggreko for their support of Gemma and all apprentices.
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Judging for the 2025 Apprentice Training Awards. has officially kicked off, and we’re gearing up to showcase this year's incredible talent.
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We’re thrilled to announce a new record of over 160 nominations - our biggest year yet!
It’s not just the numbers that make this year special though, as this year holds a special significance as we celebrate 40 Years of the AEN supporting apprentices, trainees, and the Group Training network across Victoria. Since 1985, we have remained committed to building a skilled, resilient workforce.
Keep an eye out, ticket sales are just around the corner! You won’t want to miss this celebration.
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WorkSafe Victoria have listed their workshops and events scheduled to support OH&S.
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Safety Month between 1-31 October 2025.
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There is a wide range of events and “Tradie Breakfasts” across the state to support greater awareness of OH&S
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The Australian Apprenticeship Priority List identifies occupations eligible for apprenticeship incentives provided by the Australian Government.
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The department is engaging with the public to gather their views on possible options for the new Priority List methodology. The outcomes of these consultations will help inform the development of a more robust, transparent and responsive Priority List that supports critical skills needs and delivers better outcomes for apprentices, employers and the broader economy.
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The department has prepared a discussion paper seeking your views on proposed principles and methodology for a new Priority List.
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Department of Employment and Workplace Relations will be holding a consultation webinar for GTO's on Thursday, 16th October 2025.
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Title: Australian Apprenticeships Priority List consultation - Roundtable session for Group
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Training Organisations / Apprentice Connect Australia Providers
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Date: Thursday, 16 October 2025
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am (Australian Eastern Daylight Time)
Location: Virtual – Microsoft Teams
To register for the session, click here.
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Jobs and Skills Australia has released the second paper in the three-part series on Gender Economic Equality.
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Paper 2, Education and training divides - Gendered skills, pathways and outcomes, provides insights on education and training divides. It shows that gendered patterns in education and training remain deeply entrenched, with little sign of change that could shift Australia’s occupational gender segregation.
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- Only 1 in 5 fields of education have a similar number of men and women completing programs and graduating studies, mirroring recent analysis around workforce gender segregation.
- Gender segregation in education and training make future shifts in occupational segregation unlikely.
- Men generally achieve stronger economic outcomes than women across most qualifications, including female dominated fields.
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- Women earn less than men and are more likely to leave the workforce, despite equal or higher qualifications.
- Women are more often employed below their skill level, leaving their qualifications underused.
- Social and cultural norms continue to shape study choices, career pathways and long-term outcomes.
You can see outcomes by gender, cohort (First Nations, CALD and people with disability) as well as outcomes by gender across the life course for different age groups.
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Recently the ILO guide on employment impact assessments released its updated 2nd edition. This document sets out guidelines on employment impact assessments. It also describes the methods and tools most frequently used by the ILO’s Employment Policy, Livelihoods and Jobs Creation Department.
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Good employment policies underpin efforts to create more and better jobs and help reduce inequalities and poverty. What is more, these polices also help address decent work deficits and are critically important to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.
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The ILO uses employment impact assessments (EmpIA) to support evidence-based policy advice that enhances job creation, employment conditions and workers’ employability.
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New Zealand Vocational Education and Training Research Forum
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Skills Group and BCITO are delighted to join forces to return NZVETRF as a unique national event on 17 - 18 November to showcase and disseminate new and emerging research and innovation in Vocational Education and Training.
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Since 2004, the NZVETRF has been the must-attend event for policy makers, researchers and practitioners engaged in vocational education, across all parts of the tertiary sector and industry.
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The vocational education sector is transforming through both policy and technological change. Knowing 'what works' and what is emerging is more critical than ever as a new network of provision for vocational education and training is established.
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Over a day and a half you'll hear from international and national keynote speakers, government and sector stakeholders, the learner voice, and debates on the hot topics, along with curated and competitively selected research and evidence presentations.
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Places are limited register now to secure your place at Aotearoa's pre-eminent cross-sector vocational education event.
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Researchers, practitioners, and policy makers are invited to submit abstracts for presentation at the Forum. As part of New Zealand's premier VET research platform, these contributions will help shape New Zealand’s future as our sector moves forward.
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Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words and outline your completed research and intended presentation. Submissions are especially encouraged in the following key conference themes
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- Workplace learning and Industry Training
- Diversity, Access and Equity
- Developing our Future Workforce
- Technology and Innovation
- Learner Journey and Outcomes
- Collaboration and System Approaches.
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Your research should demonstrate evidence-based outcomes, share good practice, support high-quality research networks, and inform policy development. encourage submissions that honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and incorporate Māori perspectives in VET innovation.
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Ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day.
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On Thursday 11 September was R U OK?Day but we know that whether it’s a friend, family member, partner, or colleague , the people around us go through life’s ups and downs every day.
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That’s why we want everyone to feel confident to check in with the people they care about and Ask R U OK? Any Day.
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Research has found that those who are regularly asked, 'are you OK?' report increased feelings of wellbeing, and we've learned that a third of Australians say they've been asking others more often over the past year.
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That means many of us are already showing up for others in meaningful ways, but when it comes to conversations about how we’re really going, some people are less confident than others.
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It’s natural to feel a little hesitant, but the good news is nine in ten Australians report feeling grateful, supported and cared for when someone genuinely asks them if they're OK - and that’s a good reason to give it a go. You might even be having these conversations already without realising.
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If you need tips to build your confidence, the RUOK website has plenty of free resources to help you feel more confident to check in with someone you care about.
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Ask R U OK? Any Day of the year because a conversation could change a life.
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To access a wide range of free resources to help you share the message in your school, workplace and community.
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- Guide to Supporting R U OK?
- Posters
- Videos
- Conversation guide
- Social tiles and digital assets
- Calendar planners
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2025 Events
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Join us for an engaging session exploring the world of Artificial Intelligence. This session offers a broad introduction to AI what it is, how it’s being used across different industries, and what it means for the future of work and everyday life.
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Whether you’re new to the concept or looking to deepen your understanding, the session will provide accessible insights into current applications, emerging trends, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI. No technical background is required just an interest in how this rapidly evolving technology is shaping the world around us.
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Date: Tuesday 29 September 2025
Time: 9:0am - 12:30pm
Delivery: AEN Office
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Driving organisational performance requires more than just meeting targets – it’s about cultivating a human-centred culture that positively influences every aspect of the organisation. From reputation and customer service to employee motivation and retention, culture is a key driver of success. Strong leadership, rooted in self-awareness, empathy, and accountability, is essential to build a sustainable environment of trust and collaboration.
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In this engaging workshop, leadership expert Martin Probst will equip you with practical tools to embed human-centred leadership within your organisation.
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Date: Tuesday 7 October 2025
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Delivery: Online via Zoom
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There is no doubt that meetings play a pivotal role in the successful management of an organisation. But are your meetings as productive as they could be? Ineffective meetings can be a hidden expense and a source of frustration, whilst well-run meetings drive collaboration and productivity.
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This engaging session, led by award-winning facilitator Martin Probst, will provide insights into transforming unproductive meetings into efficient, creative sessions. It will assist you in establishing yourself as an expert in conducting meetings that are enjoyable, effective, and collaborative, delivering real outcomes.
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Date: Thursday 23 October
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Delivery: Online via Zoom
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Since the program commenced in May 2020, a total of 1,357 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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