Event Calendar

This year, AEN is holding its Mid-Year Conference at Hyatt Place, Essendon Fields, Melbourne.

Over the one and half day conference, delegates will hear from special guest speakers and representatives of the Victorian Government.  This event promises to be jammed packed with a range of topics and updates, and will be followed by the conference dinner.

Accommodation

All delegates must organise their own accommodation. To receive a 10% discount off the daily rate, call 13 1234 and provide offer code BQST for room only or BQTB for bed and breakfast offerings.  

Car parking/Transport

Onsight parking is available in front of Hyatt Place Melbourne, Essendon Fields.  All parking is subject to availability. Daily Parking $9.25 per car.

• Tram route 59: Access to tram stop 56 on Matthews Avenue, Airport West and run via, Keilor Road, Mt Alexander Road, Fletcher Street, Pascoe Vale Road, Mt Alexander Road, Flemington Road and Elizabeth Street (City) to Flinders Street
• Essendon Train Station – Craigieburn Line: Access to Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale, Newmarket, Kensignton, North Melbourne, Southern Cross, Finders Street 

Registration

• All prices include GST
• A surcharge of 2% will apply to all payments by credit card. EFT and payment on invoice is not available
• Tickets will be sent to the billing address email only

Registrations Close: COB Monday 12 June 2023

Enquiries: Penny Mure – penny@aen.org.au or 03 9639 3955.

Cancellation/refund policy: Cancellation notice of more than 14 working days prior to the event is fully refundable.  Cancellation notice of less than 14 working days prior to the event, NO REFUND. Substitution of attendees is allowed.  No refunds will be issued for incorrect tickets purchased.

Navigate Challenging Situations Successfully

Positive relationships and win/win outcomes are critical success contributors, and a range of conflicts can easily interrupt this. We must acquire the expertise and confidence to manage our emotional state effectively while in the heat of the moment to avoid negative effects on our wellbeing, morale and productivity.

This engaging session is designed to equip you with a deep understanding of what is driving conflict and how to achieve positive outcomes when dealing with employees, colleagues, managers or any other people you regularly interact with. You will acquire well-tested strategies to identify, deal with and resolve conflicts skilfully and more confidently.

Topics:

• What caused conflict?
• How to identify and handle conflict
• Resolving conflict with confidence

Target audience: Managers, supervisors, team leaders, and field officers. 

Facilitator: Martin Probst, PROfound Leadership

Martin Probst is an award-winning learning professional and #1 International Bestselling author, assisting individuals, teams and organisations to lead with confidence and succeed in today’s busy and ever-changing environment.

Through his company PROfound Leadership, Martin’s vision is to strengthen organisations through human-centred leadership and positively transform their future and generations to come.
His mission to maximise human potential and empower individuals and teams with skills of the future.

Martin is directly impacting the lives of many managers in Australia and around the globe through his simple-yet-effective and solution-based leadership strategies, so they can successfully deal with the human aspects of the business.

Registrations

AEN Members: Free PD Session: Please login to Member’s area to register for this session.

This in-depth Indigenous cultural awareness training provides a thorough understanding of Australian Aboriginal history, government policies and their impacts on Aboriginal society. Indigenous Cultural Connections Pty Ltd has an open, non-threatening training style and is welcoming of attendees to ask those ‘uncomfortable’ or ‘taboo’ questions related to Aboriginal culture without fear of offence or judgement.

During this session, participants will hear about current day challenges affecting Aboriginal communities and activities both nationally and in Victoria to improve existing shortfalls in key areas of disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Target audience: Managers, field officers and staff with recruitment responsibilities of Aboriginal apprentices/trainees.

Topics include, Cultural obligations, unconscious bias, identity, Elders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, Aboriginal family structures including profiling the additional responsibilities of Aboriginal family members and the expectations on Aboriginal community members.

Group discussions topics include self-determination, how to manage Aboriginal staff and the benefits of social procurement with Aboriginal businesses.

The training aims to increase participant confidence by informing participants on appropriate language, behaviour and the importance of respect when interacting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

About the facilitator:

Yorta Yorta woman Seona James is from Shepparton, Victoria. Seona has extensive cultural knowledge and corporate experience which has impacted positively for many industries and businesses. 

Seona is the owner and managing director of Indigenous Cultural Connections Pty Ltd and facilitates tailored cultural awareness training to support inclusive behaviours within organisations.

Indigenous Cultural Connections Pty Ltd, specialises in providing cultural advisory, consultation and training to organisations committed to reconciliation.

During her 28-year career, Seona has developed and implemented industry specific cultural protocols and policies and successfully embedded culturally appropriate strategies at the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFS), Linfox Australia (Logistics), CPA Australia and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR).

Registrations

AEN Members: Free PD Session: Please login to Member’s area to register for this session.

Registrations close: Monday 10 July 2023

Round Table Discussion

Date:     Wednesday 12 July 2023

Time:     10.30am – 12.30pm

In Person Event

Registrations close: Monday 10 July 2023

Employee engagement involves helping employees to become more productive, focused and organised.

The success of your staff is directly related to the success of any organisation.  The PD Training Employee Engagement Training Course provides understanding and skill building in the various methods of employee engagement such as attention zones, goal setting, prioritising, focusing, and evaluating.

Training in employee engagement helps managers to keep employees motivated, productive and fulfilled. Happy staff produce better results!

Date:     Thursday 27 July 2023

Time:     10.00am – 1.00pm

Cost:      $240.00

Target audience: Managers, supervisors, team leaders, and field officers.

In Person Event

Registrations close: Monday 10 July 2023

Mental health first aid is the help provided to someone who is developing a mental health problem, has a worsening of an existing mental health problem or is in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional help is received, or the crisis resolves. Mental health first aid strategies are taught in evidence-based training programs authorised by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia and conducted by MHFA instructors across Australia.

The Accredited Youth Mental Health First Aid Course is for adults working with adolescents (up to 18 years of age), however the course is relevant for those helping people who are a little older.

Timelines / Delivery:

The blended Youth MHFA course includes a combination of self-paced eLearning, and an instructor-led workshop.  

Course Component 1

• Self-paced interactive eLearning (5 hours) to be completed before 9 August 2023.
• Course participants will have 4 weeks (after registrations close) to complete the interactive self-paced eLearning component prior to joining the workshop on 9 August. They will learn about mental health problems, mental health crises, and skills to offer initial help to a young person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.

Course Component 2

• Face-to-face workshop, 1 x 6 hours on Wednesday 9 August 2023, 10am-4.00pm at AEN training room, 83 Hobsons Road, Kensington.
• The instructor-led workshop allows participants the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills in a group environment, and to apply their skills to specific scenarios.

Course content: For further information, please visit Accredited Youth MHFA course (ignore ‘What is the format’ and ‘How do I sign up’).

Facilitator: Ashley Gurney, Managing Director and Founder, Alcohol and Drug Education Specialist Pty Ltd (ADES) (Biography)

Accreditation: After completing both components, participants can complete an online Accreditation Assessment to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider (valid for 3 years).

Cost:

Members: $242
Non-Members: $292

Registrations

AEN Members: Please login to Member’s area prior to purchasing tickets to access the member rate.

• All prices include GST
• A surcharge of 2% will apply to all payments by credit card. EFT is not available.
• Tickets will be sent to the billing address email only.

Registrations close: Friday 14 July 2023 (or until sold out)

Cancellation/refund policy: No refunds or substitution of attendees allowed after 2 August 2023. If participants are unable to complete the online component (eLearning) prior to 9 August, they have 12 months to finish the course. To receive accreditation, they need to source out another virtual training session/s. Participants can contact the Drug and Alcohol Education Specialists (training provider) direct to ascertain if another up and coming instructor-led workshop is available.

Writing proper business-related documents in today’s workplace requires a solid understanding of the fundamentals behind how specific documents should be approached, designed and edited.  Written communications in the workplace should be concise, yet thorough and well laid out. 

Technology enabled communications (emails and texts) should also be well thought out and designed to get the correct message across, while avoiding any potential misinterpretation.

This newly designed course teaches how to create business documents in the modern workplace, which takes into account the many forms that modern communication can take and teaches participants how to best align their message with the appropriate documentation and device.

Date:     Wednesday 16 August 2023

Time:     10.00am – 1.00pm

Cost:      $240.00

Target audience: Managers, supervisors, team leaders, and field officers.

In Person Event

Registrations close: Monday 31 July 2023

Recognising and honouring the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in the Victorian TAFE and training sector. 

The prestigious Victorian Training Awards brings together apprentices, trainees, students, teachers, training providers, employers and industry representatives, sharing n a high-quality training system that meets the needs of all Victorians.

Venue TBA

Delivery: In person or MS Teams

Save the Date!

This year AEN is holding its field officer conference at the Rendezvous Hotel in Melbourne on the 30 and 31 August 2023.

Over the one and half day conference guests will hear from representatives of the Victorian Government and this year’s event promises to be jammed packed with a range of topics and updates.

Registrations to open soon!

Get the Message Across with Positive Impact

Even though we communicate all day long, communication is not as simple as it seems and what we say can easily be misunderstood. Therefore, effective communication is about the response we get.

This session is designed to equip you with powerful techniques to manage self-talk more effectively. You will also acquire the tools for clear, confident, and concise communication, and learn how to get your message across with positive impact.

Topics:

• Managing self-talk effectively
• Speaking the other person’s language
• Communicating with positive impact

Target audience: Managers, supervisors, team leaders, and field officers. 

Facilitator: Martin Probst, PROfound Leadership

Martin Probst is an award-winning learning professional and #1 International Bestselling author, assisting individuals, teams and organisations to lead with confidence and succeed in today’s busy and ever-changing environment.

Through his company PROfound Leadership, Martin’s vision is to strengthen organisations through human-centred leadership and positively transform their future and generations to come.
His mission to maximise human potential and empower individuals and teams with skills of the future.

Martin is directly impacting the lives of many managers in Australia and around the globe through his simple-yet-effective and solution-based leadership strategies, so they can successfully deal with the human aspects of the business.

Registrations

AEN Members: Free PD Session: Please login to Member’s area to register for this session.

Delivery: In person or MS Teams

Delivery: In person or MS Teams

Participants will gain an understanding of African beliefs, values, work/family values and how to work with African communities. Gain insight into the importance of cultural inclusion throughout the recruitment process along with strategies to develop, retain and support African apprentices/trainees.

Target audience: Managers, field officers and staff with recruitment responsibilities of African apprentices/trainees.

Learning outcomes:

• A brief overview of African beliefs, values, work culture/family culture, cultural sensitivities/taboos
• Gain insight on how to work with African communities
• Learn how to effectively engage apprentices from African backgrounds
• Embedding cultural inclusion throughout the recruitment process along with strategies to develop, retain and support apprentices from African backgrounds.

About the facilitator:

Ashoup Atar is the CEO of Kowanj, a not-for-profit community-led organization that was established in response to the emerging social, educational, and employment needs of the African refugees & new and emerging communities in Australia. As an ex-refugee, Ash is committed to supporting migrant/refugees’ communities to prosper and achieve their goals. Members of the CALD communities are often disadvantaged and under-represented in the labour market therefore, Ash’s work focuses on addressing the employment barriers CALD jobseekers face and support employers promote cultural competence in the workplace, allowing jobseekers to transition effectively into their jobs.

Registrations

AEN Members: Free PD Session: Please login to Member’s area to register for this session.

Registrations close: Friday 22 September 2023

Create a Human-Centered Culture and Drive Performance

Great leaders inspire great teams. And great teams require a culture of employees being independent and motivated individuals, performing interdependently within their team and forming key collaborations for long-term success.

This session is designed to equip you with tools and strategies to create a human-centred culture and assist individuals to perform at their best. You will acquire the techniques and skills to empower individuals and teams to drive organisational performance and foster strong collaboration.

Topics:

• Embracing human-centered leadership
• Driving performance through empowerment
• Fostering strong collaboration

Target audience: Managers, supervisors, team leaders, and field officers. 

Facilitator: Martin Probst, PROfound Leadership

Martin Probst is an award-winning learning professional and #1 International Bestselling author, assisting individuals, teams and organisations to lead with confidence and succeed in today’s busy and ever-changing environment.

Through his company PROfound Leadership, Martin’s vision is to strengthen organisations through human-centred leadership and positively transform their future and generations to come.
His mission to maximise human potential and empower individuals and teams with skills of the future.

Martin is directly impacting the lives of many managers in Australia and around the globe through his simple-yet-effective and solution-based leadership strategies, so they can successfully deal with the human aspects of the business.

Registrations

AEN Members: Free PD Session: Please login to Member’s area to register for this session.

Mental health first aid is the help provided to someone who is developing a mental health problem, has a worsening of an existing mental health problem or is in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional help is received, or the crisis resolves. Mental health first aid strategies are taught in evidence-based training programs authorised by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia and conducted by MHFA instructors across Australia.

The Accredited Youth Mental Health First Aid Course is for adults working with adolescents (up to 18 years of age), however the course is relevant for those helping people who are a little older.

Timelines / Delivery:

The blended Youth MHFA course includes a combination of self-paced eLearning, and an instructor-led workshop.  

Course Component 1

• Self-paced interactive eLearning (5 hours) to be completed before 18 October 2023.
• Course participants will have 4 weeks (after registrations close) to complete the interactive self-paced eLearning component prior to joining the workshop on 18 October. They will learn about mental health problems, mental health crises, and skills to offer initial help to a young person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.

Course Component 2

• Face-to-face workshop, 1 x 6 hours on Wednesday 18 October, 10.00am – 4.00pm at AEN training room, 83 Hobsons Road, Kensington.
• The instructor-led workshop allows participants the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills in a group environment, and to apply their skills to specific scenarios.

Course content: For further information, please visit Accredited Youth MHFA course (ignore ‘What is the format’ and ‘How do I sign up’).

Facilitator: Ashley Gurney, Managing Director and Founder, Alcohol and Drug Education Specialist Pty Ltd (ADES)(Biography)

Accreditation: After completing both components, participants can complete an online Accreditation Assessment to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider (valid for 3 years).

Cost:

Members: $242
Non-Members: $292

Registrations

AEN Members: Please login to Member’s area prior to purchasing tickets to access the member rate.

• All prices include GST
• A surcharge of 2% will apply to all payments by credit card. EFT is not available
• Tickets will be sent to the billing address email only

Registrations close: Wednesday 20 September 2023 (or until sold out)

Cancellation/refund policy: No refunds or substitution of attendees allowed after 11 October 2023. If participants are unable to complete the online component (eLearning) prior to 18 October, they have 12 months to finish the course. To receive accreditation, they need to source out another virtual training session/s. Participants can contact the Drug and Alcohol Education Specialists (training provider) direct to ascertain if another up and coming instructor-led workshop is available.

This in-depth Indigenous cultural awareness training provides a thorough understanding of Australian Aboriginal history, government policies and their impacts on Aboriginal society. Indigenous Cultural Connections Pty Ltd has an open, non-threatening training style and is welcoming of attendees to ask those ‘uncomfortable’ or ‘taboo’ questions related to Aboriginal culture without fear of offence or judgement.

During this session, participants will hear about current day challenges affecting Aboriginal communities and activities both nationally and in Victoria to improve existing shortfalls in key areas of disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Target audience: Managers, field officers and staff with recruitment responsibilities of Aboriginal apprentices/trainees.

Topics include cultural obligations, unconscious bias, identity, Elders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, Aboriginal family structures including profiling the additional responsibilities of Aboriginal family members and the expectations on Aboriginal community members.

Group discussions topics include self-determination, how to manage Aboriginal staff and the benefits of social procurement with Aboriginal businesses.

The training aims to increase participant confidence by informing participants on appropriate language, behaviour and the importance of respect when interacting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

About the facilitator:

Yorta Yorta woman Seona James is from Shepparton, Victoria. Seona has extensive cultural knowledge and corporate experience which has impacted positively for many industries and businesses. 

Seona is the owner and managing director of Indigenous Cultural Connections Pty Ltd and facilitates tailored cultural awareness training to support inclusive behaviours within organisations.

Indigenous Cultural Connections Pty Ltd, specialises in providing cultural advisory, consultation and training to organisations committed to reconciliation.

During her 28-year career, Seona has developed and implemented industry specific cultural protocols and policies and successfully embedded culturally appropriate strategies at the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFS), Linfox Australia (Logistics), CPA Australia and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR).

Registrations

AEN Members: Free PD Session: Please login to Member’s area to register for this session.

Registrations close: Monday 23 October 2023

Turn Difficult Situations into Productive Outcomes

Sometimes we choose to avoid difficult conversations as they seem too hard, but unfortunately the problems remain unresolved. Other times we facilitate crucial conversations and wish we knew how to handle them better. Here’s the upside: there are well-tested communication strategies to swiftly turn dysfunctional situations into constructive conversations.

This engaging session is a great opportunity to learn how to guide and influence productive outcomes from difficult situations through a better understanding of human behaviours and with simple yet effective and powerful communication strategies.

Topics:

• Overcoming conversation reluctance
• Understanding what makes us tick
• Confidently leading conversations for win/win outcomes

Target audience: Managers, supervisors, team leaders, and field officers. 

Facilitator: Martin Probst, PROfound Leadership

Martin Probst is an award-winning learning professional and #1 International Bestselling author, assisting individuals, teams and organisations to lead with confidence and succeed in today’s busy and ever-changing environment.

Through his company PROfound Leadership, Martin’s vision is to strengthen organisations through human-centred leadership and positively transform their future and generations to come.
His mission to maximise human potential and empower individuals and teams with skills of the future.

Martin is directly impacting the lives of many managers in Australia and around the globe through his simple-yet-effective and solution-based leadership strategies, so they can successfully deal with the human aspects of the business.

Registrations

AEN Members: Free PD Session: Please login to Member’s area to register for this session.

Participants will gain an understanding of African beliefs, values, work/family values and how to work with African communities. Gain insight into the importance of cultural inclusion throughout the recruitment process along with strategies to develop, retain and support African apprentices/trainees.

Target audience: Managers, field officers and staff with recruitment responsibilities of African apprentices/trainees.

Learning outcomes:

• A brief overview of African beliefs, values, work culture/family culture, cultural sensitivities/taboos
• Gain insight on how to work with African communities
• Learn how to effectively engage apprentices from African backgrounds
• Embedding cultural inclusion throughout the recruitment process along with strategies to develop, retain and support apprentices from African backgrounds.

About the facilitator:

Ashoup Atar is the CEO of Kowanj, a not-for-profit community-led organization that was established in response to the emerging social, educational, and employment needs of the African refugees & new and emerging communities in Australia. As an ex-refugee, Ash is committed to supporting migrant/refugees’ communities to prosper and achieve their goals. Members of the CALD communities are often disadvantaged and under-represented in the labour market therefore, Ash’s work focuses on addressing the employment barriers CALD jobseekers face and support employers promote cultural competence in the workplace, allowing jobseekers to transition effectively into their jobs.

Registrations

AEN Members: Free PD Session: Please login to Member’s area to register for this session.

Registrations close:  Monday 13 November 2023

The awards celebrate the dedication and achievements of apprentices and trainees, GTOs and businesses committed to the development of apprentices and trainees.

Save the Date!

Nominations for the 2023 Apprentice Training Awards will open on Monday 31 July 2023

Delivery: In person or MS Teams