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AEN Newsletter - 3 October 2025
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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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AGM & GTO Managers Meeting
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Apprentice Training Awards
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The stage is set, and the spotlight is shining bright on Victoria’s apprentices, trainees, and Group Training Organisations. It’s time to celebrate their hard work, dedication, and remarkable achievements.
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These prestigious awards honour excellence in the group training sector and recognise the outstanding contributions of apprentices, trainees, GTO members, staff, and industry partners across Victoria. Join us in applauding the individuals and organisations shaping the future of our workforce.
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Members: Please ensure you login to the website to access the member rate.
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This week WorkSafe Victoria released the Compliance code Psychological health which is designed to support employers.
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This compliance code (Code) provides practical guidance for those who have duties or obligations in relation to:
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- psychological health under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act)
- psychosocial hazards under the Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 (OHS (Psychological Health) Regulations).
The OHS (Psychological Health) Regulations and this Code are in effect from 1 December 2025.
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The Code was developed by WorkSafe Victoria (WorkSafe). Representatives of employers and employees were consulted during its preparation.
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Employers have specific duties and obligations in relation to:
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- psychological health under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act)
- psychosocial hazards under the Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 (OHS (Psychological Health) Regulations).
This compliance code provides information about meeting these obligations. This includes information on:
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- what a psychosocial hazard is
- how psychosocial hazards affect health and safety
- how to identify, assess and control psychosocial hazards and associated risks
- when to review and revise risk controls for psychosocial hazards
- how to manage reports of psychosocial hazards and incidents.
While the guidance provided in the code is not mandatory, a duty holder who complies with the code will to the extent it deals with their duties or obligations under the OHS Act and OHS (Psychological Health) Regulations be considered to have complied with those duties or obligations.
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WorkSafe Victoria have listed their workshops and events scheduled to support 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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Big Skills for Big Build Pre-Employment Program
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Box Hill Institute, in collaboration with Apprenticeship Employment Network and Lendlease, is delivering two pre-employment training programs designed to support jobseekers in exploring apprenticeship opportunities within the construction industry.
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These programs are offered free of charge to eligible jobseekers.
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- Program 1: Wednesday 5 November– Tuesday 25 November 2025 (, 25415-day duration)
- Program 2: Monday 9 February – Friday 27 February 2026
Location: City Campus 253 Flinders lane.
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- Work readiness preparation
- Occupational Health & Safety training (including White Card if required)
- Hands-on trade skills and tool use
- Site visits and exposure to real construction environments
- Direct connections to employers and Group Training Organisations (GTOs) offering apprenticeships
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For more information and expressions of interest contact Annabel Mounsey A.Mounsey@cae.edu.au or call (03) 8892 1717.
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Recent legislative changes mean that employers with 500 or more staff must now select and work towards gender equality targets.
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The Workplace Gender Equality Agency is supporting organisations through this process with practical resources and guidance.
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By 2026, eligible employers will need to choose three targets from a list of 19 and demonstrate progress over three years.
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WGEA has hosted webinars and developed a suite of tools to help leaders understand the requirements and take action.
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Resources available include:
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- A short overview video
- FAQ's and a full menu of targets
- Guides for baseline data, target selection, and gender pay gap analysis
- An action planning playbook to support implementation
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The latest NCVER report shows the number of contracts in-training nationally declined by 7.9%, from 31 March 2024, with a decline of 3.2% in trade contracts and a larger decline in non-trade contracts 17.9%.
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- Trade commencements are down in the 12 months ending March 2025 compared to 2024 (4.4%), likely reflecting broader labour market conditions. The unemployment rate was 4.1% in March 2025.
- School based trade commencements increased by 515 (11.2%) to 5,125, continuing an upward trend occurring since the 12 months ending March 2020 period.
- Trade contract completions are up (8.7%), whereas non-trade contract completions are down (12.2%) s in the 12 months ending March 2025, from the 12 months prior.
- Trade completions remain higher than in the same period in 2019 (up 34.1%) whilst non-trade completions are lower (down 8.0%).
- Compared to 2024 the largest growth in completions was observed in Construction Trade Workers, up 20.9% to 14,770 and Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers, up 15.9% to 13,390.
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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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Cyber Security Awareness Month
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Cyber threats are a part of everyday life, but small, proactive steps can make a big difference in keeping your information safe.
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Cyber Security Awareness Month, led by the Australian Government, is a timely reminder to take action to protect your devices, accounts, and personal information online.
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This year’s theme, Building Our Cyber Safe Culture, encourages everyone to prioritise cyber security at work and at home.
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The Jobs and Skills Australia Act 2022 (the Act) requires the Minister for Skills and Training to commence a review into the operation of the Act by August 2025 (the Review).
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The Review is intended to be comprehensive and consider ongoing functions, governance and operations of the Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) organisation, including effectiveness of its independence as a secondary statutory body.
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What the Review will look at
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The Review presents an opportunity to further consider the functions, governance arrangements and operations of JSA now and into the future.
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The Review will examine and make recommendations about the operation of the Act, with reference to:
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- JSA’s functions under the Act.
- Effectiveness of JSA on delivering on its reporting and advice functions.
- JSA’s stakeholder model.
- JSA’s operating model.
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Daylight saving time starts at 2:00am on Sunday, 5 October 2025. Clocks will move forward one hour in the following regions
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Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT.
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Please ensure your devices are updated review any scheduled meetings or calendar events for the week ahead that might be affected by the time change.
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2025 Events
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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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Join us for an engaging session it’s a hands-on workshop designed to bridge the gap between conceptual understanding and real-world application of AI tools. Participants will explore practical use cases with Copilot Web, Copilot for Work, and other AI-powered platforms, gaining direct experience in how these technologies can streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and support decision-making across operations
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Date: Thursday 23 October
Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Delivery: AEN Office (83 Hobsons Road, Kensington)
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Since the program commenced in May 2020, a total of 1,380 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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