The Group Training Association of Victoria trading as Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) is the peak industry body representing not for profit group training companies across Victoria and is part of a national network of group training associations.
This national network of group training organisations employs over 24,000 apprentices and trainees, Australia’s largest employer of apprentices and trainees.
Within Victoria AEN through our members, employs over 6,000 apprentices and trainees across all industry sectors, which is supported by a network of 10,000+ host employers – small to medium size businesses.
AEN provides support and leadership to our members in the areas of advocacy, negotiation and policy setting at both the State and National level. These functions are achieved by working with governments, industry, as well as individual enterprises.
The core activity of the members of AEN is the employment and vocational training of young people to the levels and in the method set out in the Australian Qualification Framework.
AEN is unique in that it represents a network of companies which not only spans the state of Victoria but represents an integrated network that has developed in a planned and structured way. The enduring asset achieved as a result of this planned process is a well-developed and cohesive communication network. Since AEN’s inception this communication network has developed so that it can deal with both operational and policy issues, and can do this at all levels of group training operation.
In addition to supporting the needs of its constituent member companies, AEN provides a variety of support to small business and to schools. Over the past few years AEN has played a major role in the development of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools and is an active promoter of school-based apprenticeship.
AEN has developed a research and policy capacity specialising in issues to do with apprenticeship, traineeship and the broader vocational education agenda.