Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 13, Issue 31

Friday, 28th August 2020
Hi Reader!

Upcoming Events

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9 Sep
GTO Managers Meeting

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program Banner
Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program
Now into its thirteenth week, the Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program has received over 400 registrations from apprentices and trainees who have been affected by the current economic crisis.

The top 3 sectors represented are:
  1. Building and Construction
  2. Electrical, Electronics and Utilities
  3. Automotive and Boating
The top 3 occupations are the:
  1. Electrical Trades
  2. Plumbing and Roofing
  3. Carpentry, Joinery and Cabinetmaking
First year apprentices make up almost 50 percent of those seeking assistance and while regional Victoria has been affected slightly, the vast majority of participants are located in the Metro Melbourne area.

We have also seen employer confidence in the economy boost with more job vacancies being listed on last month. The register has had over 610 job vacancies listed.

The program aims to assist apprentices and trainees who have lost their employment complete their training.

For Individuals

Apprentices and trainees who have lost their employment are encouraged to register.

Once on the register, 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.

Program officers will also help direct you to the most appropriate advice and assistance while you remain out of employment.


For Employers

Employers who have job vacancies for apprentices or trainees can submit them on the vacancy register.

Our program officers will match your vacancy with suitable candidates for you to interview.

Employers may also be eligible for Australian Government incentives.


For further information or to register for the program please visit Apprenticeship Employment Network.

Employers Must Notify WorkSafe of COVID-19 Cases

Employers are now required to notify WorkSafe immediately when they become aware a worker has received a confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnosis.

The new Regulations, made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and require employers and self-employed persons, with management or control of a workplace to notify WorkSafe immediately after becoming aware that:
  • an employee, independent contractor, employee of the independent contractor or self-employed person has received a confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus (COVID-19) and;
  • the employee, independent contractor, employee of the independent contractor or self-employed person has attended the workplace within the relevant infection period.
For information and how to report a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis visit WorkSafe Victoria.

#NationalSkillsWeek 2020

This week is #NationalSkillsWeek 2020.

Now in its tenth year, National Skills Week aims to raise the profile and status of VET in Australia by dispelling outdated myths and showcasing the attractive career opportunities that VET can offer.

This goal is more crucial now than ever, with the reskilling and upskilling of Australian workers critical to our economic recovery post-COVID-19.

Alan Jones believes kids need to be encouraged to begin a trade stating, "I understand by 2023 Australia will need approximately one million more workers with certificate two, three or four qualifications - that's trade qualifications - than those with bachelor degrees or higher."


Assistant-Minister-Irons-AEN-Workshop-Opening (002)

A special thank you to Assistant Minister Steve Irons for producing a short welcome video that we shared at the beginning of our video conference sessions this week.
Also a special thank you to all of our speakers
  • Carl Walsh Department of Education and Training Victoria
  • Simon Smith VRQA
  • Peter Treseder Australian Super
  • Linda White Australian Govt Dept of Education, Skills & Employment
  • Peta Skujins AATIS Australian Apprenticeship Information Services
  • Gina Chinnery Orygen Youth Mental Health in a COVID-19 environment
  • Grant Lovelock Department of Education, Skills & Employment
  • Tiffany Blight Department of Education, Skills & Employment
  • Janet Nicholson Worksight IR / Awards Update
  • Prof John Buchanan & Dr Lisa Fowkes The impacts of COVID-19 and a way forward
The presentations are available to view on the AEN website.

Independent Assessment of Apprentices & Trainees

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Superannuation Guarantee Amnesty

Reminder that the Superannuation Guarantee Amnesty closes on 7 September this year and as a result of COVID-19, your circumstances may change and you won't be able to pay the liability.

If you want to participate in the amnesty, the law requires you to apply by 7 September 2020, however, a payment plan is available that is flexible to help you to continue to make payments.

These arrangements include:
  • flexible payment terms and amounts which we will adjust if your circumstances change
  • the ability to extend the payment plan to beyond 7 September 2020, the end of the amnesty period. However, only payments made by 7 September 2020 will be deductible.
Thank you to AustralianSuper for providing further information including a summary sheet explaining all the programs and business support available covering all aspects of superannuation.

Trends Mapping - Future of TVET Teaching

Recently UNESCO-UNEVOC released a report that presents the results of the trends mapping study on the Future of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) teaching.

The study aimed to engage the international TVET community to:
  • improve the understanding of the implications of global disruptions
  • gather knowledge, insights, experiences
  • highlight promising practices in preparing TVET teaching staff to deliver the skills needed in the 21st century and beyond.
    Trends Mapping - Future of TVET Teaching
    Coordinated by UNESCO-UNEVOC, trends mapping studies aim to further the international community's understandings on contemporary key issues concerning TVET.

    The studies review existing literature and policies, and engage TVET stakeholders from around the world through surveys and virtual conferences.

    AEN Industry Awards - Nominations Now Open

    AEN Awards Now Open
    The AEN Industry Award Nominations opened this week on the 24 August. The awards celebrate the dedication and achievements of apprentices and trainees, group training organisations and businesses committed to the development of apprentices and trainees.

    Nominations can be made in the following categories:

    • Apprentice of the Year
    • Trainee of the Year
    • Overcoming adversity awards
    • GTO service excellence awards
    • OH&S service excellence award
    • STAR awards (apprentice/ trainee)
    • GTO staff service awards
    • Lifetime achievement awards
    • GAN Apprenticeship scholarship
    • GAN apprenticeship development initiative
    If you know someone who deserves recognition nominate them here.

    Nominations close 30 September 2020
    AEn Awards

    New Infection Control Training is Now able to be Delivered to Victorian Workers

    Stop the Spread
    The Infection Control Training is a mixture of 25 hours of online learning and workplace-based assessment and is available to customer-facing workers in critical industries.

    There is also specific training available for retail, hospitality, and logistics and transport sectors.

    The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments are jointly funding delivery of the training to Victorian workers, which will enable more than 20,000 workers in critical industries to receive training.
    After completion of the training, they will be able to confidently:
    • follow standard and additional precautions for infection prevention and control
    • identify infection hazards and assess risks
    • follow procedures for managing risks associated with specific hazards.
    Participants will learn a range of skills, including:
    • Hand hygiene practices
    • Effective surface cleaning
    • Use of personal protective equipment
    • Disposal of contaminated waste
    • Hazard identification, control and reporting
    • Appropriate protocols and responses in the event of an incident
    • Knowledge regarding the basis of infection and transmission
    Both the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments want everyone to know that infection control training, so vital right now, is available to employees and businesses. The aim is to have a safe and resilient workforce, ready to keep our businesses and community healthy as we move towards a COVID-safe environment.

    Victorian Training Awards - Finalists Announced

    Victorian Training Awards
    On Tuesday this week the Victorian Training Awards finalists were announced.



    Individual categories
    • Apprentice of the Year: Nellie Baker, Joel Handcock, and Shona McGuigan
    • Trainee of the Year: Tamara Eldridge, Nicholas Steer and Nicole Barrow
    • Vocational Student of the Year: Simon Watts, Scott Tomlinson and Bethany Peele
    • School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year: Van Sui Thawng, Darian Burgess and Callum Howden
    • Koorie Student of the Year: Grace Stewart, Elva Smerotkins and Matthew Atkinson
    • Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award: Kevin Nunn (TAFE Gippsland, Marina McGrath (Bendigo Kangan Institute) and Torin Coakley (Bendigo TAFE)
    Employer categories
    • Medium Employer of the Year: Mambourin Enterprises
    • Large Employer of the Year: Swan Plumbing Supplies
    Industry Collaboration Award
    • Aboriginal Workforce Development Initiative Swinburne University of Technology & Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative
    • SuniTAFE Aged Care Leadership Development Collaboration (Sunraysia Institute of TAFE & Chaffey Aged Care)
    • IBM ANZ (Federation TAFE & IBM Australia Ltd)
    Training Provider categories
    • Community Training Provider of the Year: The Centre for Continuing Education, Cire Services Inc. and Williamstown Community and Education Centre Inc.
    • Inclusive Training Provider of the Year: GOTAFE, Box Hill Institute and National Food Institute
    • Small Training Provider of the Year: Health Carers International Pty Ltd, Builders Academy Australia and Ringwood Training
    • Large Training Provider of the Year: GOTAFE, South West Institute of TAFE and Box Hill Institute
    Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney say, “Despite a challenging year, these Awards continue to highlight the strength of Victoria’s vocational education and training sector and we look forward to sharing these successes over the coming weeks and months.”

    Due to coronavirus restrictions, this year winners will be announced as part of a new, virtual format.

    Congratulations to all the Victorian Training Awards 2020 Finalists.

    New Report - National Youth Commission: Youth Futures Guarantee

    Youth Futures Guarantee
    Many young people successfully navigate their way from education to employment and independence, but many get left behind.

    This Inquiry by the National Youth Commission Australia (NYCA) was prompted by our concern that an increasing number of young people are struggling to make this transition.

    It also addresses the lack of any major initiative by Australian governments to investigate and address these escalating problems.

    Australia’s future well-being and standard of living will depend critically on the next generation of young people.

    The Youth Futures Guarantee lays out a framework of reforms and initiatives that will support young people meet the great challenges of the future, but these also benefit Australian businesses and the wider Australian community.

    Today - 28 August - is Equal Pay Day

    Equal Pay Day
    The national gender pay gap remains stable at 14%.

    This year, Equal Pay Day is on 28 August 2020, marking the 59 additional days from the end of the previous financial year that women must work, on average, to earn the same amount as men earned that year.

    Using the latest Average Weekly Earnings trend series data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has calculated the national gender pay gap as 14% for full-time employees, a difference of $253.60 per week.

    2020 Key Facts
    • The national gender pay gap is 14%.
    • On average, women working full-time earned $1,558.40 while men working full-time earned $1,812.00.
    • Full-time average weekly earnings difference between women and men is $253.60.
    2020 Theme: #KeepMindingTheGap
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    Head on over to GAN Australia and subscribe now.

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