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AE News Volume 13, Issue 44
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Friday, 27th November 2020
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Upcoming Events
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18 Dec - AEN Christmas Closure
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Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program
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Now into its 6th month, the Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program has received over 620 registrations from apprentices and trainees who have been affected by the current economic crisis. Over 60 participants have now successfully re-commenced their apprenticeship or traineeship.
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- Building and Construction
- Electrical, Electronics and Utilities
- Automotive and Boating
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- Electrical Trades
- Plumbing and Roofing
- Carpentry, Joinery and Cabinetmaking
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First year apprentices make up over 45 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.
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We have also seen employer confidence in the economy boost with more job vacancies being listed on last month. The register has had over 1450 job vacancies listed.
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The program aims to assist apprentices and trainees who have lost their employment complete their training.
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Apprentices and trainees who have lost their employment are encouraged to register.
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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 whilst also directing you to the most appropriate advice and assistance while you remain out of employment.
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Employers who have job vacancies for apprentices or trainees can submit them on the vacancy register.
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Our program officers will match your vacancy with suitable candidates for you to interview.
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Employers may also be eligible for Australian Government incentives.
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Victorian State Budget
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On Tuesday this week the Victorian Government released it 20/21 State Budget.
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Forecasts: Employment fell by 180,000 between the March and September quarters 2020 and is expected to fall by 3.25% in 2020-21.
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The unemployment rate is forecast to peak at 8.25% in the December quarter 2020, and average 7.75% in 2020-21.
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The Jobs Plan, as well as other initiatives announced since the 2019‑20 Budget Update, will support around 125,000 jobs over the life of these initiatives.
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We are investing $1 billion in TAFE and training – driving economic recovery and ensuring Victorians have the skills they need to get back into the workforce.
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This Budget will help support more Victorians to train, retrain and find new opportunities, including:
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- Up to 80,000 new Free TAFE and subsidised training places. Almost 60,000 of these places will be in Free TAFE courses including health, and community and disability services. $155 million will be dedicated to creating new opportunities for young people, women and those most affected by economic disruption to reskill and upskill.
- $57 million for the delivery of accredited skills sets and a workforce skill set pilot, helping unemployed Victorians reskill and find a job fast.
- Funding to attract and support people to reskill as teachers at Victorian TAFEs, including teacher scholarships and mentoring.
$58 million in additional support for our apprentices and trainees including:
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- $33 million to expand opportunities for apprentices and trainees through a flagship Big Build training pathway. This transformative new approach will see up to 1,500 apprentices and trainees employed across our Big Build each year.
- $19 million to introduce innovative new models for apprenticeships and traineeships, including enhanced support for apprentices including those most at-risk of dropping out, and new measures to encourage women to pursue non-traditional roles, including in the building and construction industry.
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Funding is also provided to expand the pilot of higher apprenticeships and traineeships in the social services sector. This will create opportunities for 400 existing workers to continue their employment, while also validating their on-the-job work experience by gaining a qualification.
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We are also committing $100 million to the Building Better TAFEs Fund for projects that will help set our students up for success. In the Inner Metro Metropolitan region, this includes:
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- Melbourne Polytechnic’s Collingwood Campus Redevelopment, delivering a rebuild of the campus to establish an education, industry and community precinct.
This builds on $55 million provided through the Building Works package in May 2020 to deliver a TAFE maintenance fund.
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Group training specifically mentioned to support Big Build innovation and additional funds for apprenticeship innovation fund.
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A new division of the Department of Education and Training will be established to oversee and coordinate the employment and training of apprentices and trainees on Big Build infrastructure projects.
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This transformative new approach will leverage group training organisations and Victoria’s infrastructure program to create high-quality skills pathways for apprentices and trainees.
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It will help to support more Victorians to access these opportunities, including women and disadvantaged Victorians.
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Funding will enhance the impact of the Major Projects Skills Guarantee, support the employment and training of up to 1500 apprentices and trainees each year and secure a pipeline of skilled workers in critical areas.
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$619 million Jobs for Victoria initiative will assist hundreds of thousands of Victorians looking for work.
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This includes $250 million to support businesses to hire at least 10,000 Victorians through a six-month wage subsidy.
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These positions will be for Victorians hardest hit by this pandemic, including young people, retrenched workers and people who have been long-term unemployed.
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At least $150 million of subsidy support will go towards getting women back in work, with around a third of such placements being provided to women over 45, recognising their additional barriers to employment.
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These subsidised positions will be focused on creating new ongoing permanent jobs, making sure we’re providing long-term security for these workers and their families.
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This investment will also deliver targeted and tailored support for unemployed Victorians – whether that’s advice about training pathways, career counselling or more intensive support.
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Summary: Victoria's Big Housing Build
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Victoria’s Big Housing Build will give thousands of Victorians the security and stability of a home – and support tens of thousands of Victorians into jobs.
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We will invest $6 billion to build more than 12,000 new social and affordable homes, and make housing more accessible and affordable for Victorians.
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Changes to Victorian COVID workplace restrictions
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National Skills Commission Update
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Australian Jobs is the NSC’s yearly analysis of labour market information and industry trends for those considering future training and work.
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It is a simple to use digital publication offering meaningful insights such as the identification of industries and jobs most in demand, and the qualification levels most likely to be required by these areas, to inform career choices.
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The 2020 overview has been designed to support and inform those seeking new career opportunities, leaving school, or those interested in labour market data trends—by location, industry and occupation, such as career advisors and data analysts.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impact on the Australian labour market, and the release date of this publication was delayed to ensure it contained data and advice relevant to job seekers and those looking to change careers as we enter the COVID-19 recovery phase.
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When reading by location, users can find the top employing industries by state or territory.
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For example, in all Australian States the top employing industry is Health Care and Social Assistance while for both the Territories the top employing industry is Public Administration and Safety.
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In informing career choices, this may assist job seekers in determining what skills and qualifications they may need based on the top employing industries where they live.
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When reading by industry, users can identify how viable a career might be, the qualification level commonly required by that industry, and the occupations that fall within that industry.
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In Health Care and Social Assistance, the data shows that demand continues to grow, more than 80% of workers have a post-school qualification, and the top employing occupations in this industry include carers.
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When reading by occupation, users can gain insights into trends of specific occupations.
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In the Community and Personal Service Workers occupations list (which includes Health Care and Social Assistance), the data shows that carers and aides are the top employing occupations, with over 50% of all these workers holding a certificate III or post-school qualification, that more than 80% of these workers are female, and 60% work part-time.
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Australian Jobs pulls together data from a range of sources including the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Commission’s own research, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.
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The National Skills Commission (NSC) has developed a data-driven approach to identify emerging occupations within Australia.
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By identifying emerging skills and looking at how these skills change existing jobs, we can identify emerging or new jobs in the labour market, and can help build the skilled, resilient and adaptable workforce we need now, and for years to come.
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By identifying emerging skills and looking at how these skills change existing jobs, we can identify emerging or new jobs in the labour market, and can help build the skilled, resilient and adaptable workforce we need now, and for years to come.
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The National Training Awards
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On Friday evening last week, the Australian Training awards were held online.
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The Australian Training Awards commenced in 1994. Over this time many individuals, businesses, and registered training organisations have been rewarded for showcasing best practice in VET.
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Finalists are invited to become members of the Australian VET Alumni. The Alumni are national ambassador for the vocational education and training sector.
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In 2020, 17 Awards categories will be presented—nine for individual achievements and eight for businesses and registered training organisations.
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11 awards are entered to the Australian Training Awards through the state and territory training awards process with winners from each state and territory becoming eligible to compete at the national level in aligned categories.
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The winners and runners up for the Australian Training Awards 2020:
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National Achievement Award
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Apprentice of the Year Award
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Apprentice of the Year Award Runner-up
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Trainee of the Year Award
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Trainee of the Year Award Runner-up
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Apprentice of the Year Award
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Apprentice of the Year Award Runner-up
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Small Employer of the Year Award
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Medium Employer of the Year Award
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Large Employer of the Year Award
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Australian Apprenticeships -
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Industry Collaboration Award
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Vocational Student of the Year Award
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Vocational Student of the Year
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island
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Student of the Year Award
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island
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Student of the Year Award Runner-up
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VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award
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VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year
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Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award
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Registered Training Organisation
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School Pathways to VET Award
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Review into Vocational And Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling
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The Victorian Budget 2020-21 invests $38 million to support students to access high-quality vocational and applied learning pathways and develop a new vocational pathway within the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).
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This is the first stage in implementing the transformative reform agenda recommended by a review into vocational and applied learning pathways for senior secondary students led by John Firth, former Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).
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The review consulted widely with stakeholders. The views, experiences and opinions that stakeholders shared in these consultations were a critical source of evidence that the review relied upon to develop its findings and recommendations.
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The review found major changes are needed to make sure all Victorian secondary students have access to high quality vocational training that meets their strengths and interests, an gives them the skills they need, and that leads them into further training, education and, ultimately, a great job.
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- Victoria should move to an integrated senior secondary certificate, with vocational education embedded in the VCE. This certificate will replace the existing standalone VCAL certificate. This will give students the opportunity to develop both academic and practical skills.
- Vocational and VET training should be more closely aligned with Victoria’s growth sectors and local industry needs. This training should be available to every senior secondary student.
- A new Foundation Pathways Certificate should be created to formally recognise the skills and achievements of students who are not ready to complete Year 12. This will support those students to make successful post-school transitions. This will be particularly important for students with a disability and additional needs, and for students experiencing personal challenges.
- All students who fully or partially complete vocational and applied learning subjects should receive an enhanced Statement of Results to provide a full picture of their strengths, capabilities and achievements when they finish school.
- Schools should receive more support to deliver vocational and applied learning. This can be achieved through improving the capability of teachers and reducing operational and administrative burdens on schools.
This is a long-term reform agenda with minimal immediate changes for schools. We will take a measured and consultative approach to these reforms.
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The move to a single certificate will happen in stages. The first is the creation of a new vocational specialist pathway within the VCE, with the first cohort of students starting the new certificate in 2023. The next stage will create a fully integrated senior secondary certificate by 2025.
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The Department and VCAA will consult with students, schools, universities, TAFEs, peak bodies, industry and employers and other service providers. Students, schools, families, training providers and employers will be given plenty of notice about what these changes mean for them and will be supported in the lead up to the introduction of changes to the certificate.
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From next year, secondary schools will be supported to deliver improved vocational and applied learning pathways for students through the following ways.
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Jobs, Skills and Pathways Coordinators
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Funding to government secondary schools for dedicated Jobs, Skills and Pathways Coordinators who will provide advice and support for students choosing vocational and applied learning programs.
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They will work with training providers and employers to ensure that students get the most out of their learning and training.
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In 2021, support will be provided to all government secondary schools with a senior secondary program that provide vocational education and training (VET) programs to their students.
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From 2022, this will be extended to include all remaining government schools with a senior secondary program.
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Jobs, Skills and Pathways Managers
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Funding new Area-based Jobs, Skills and Pathways Managers that will help reduce the administrative burden of delivering vocational and applied learning and promote collaboration across schools.
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From January 2021, the Managers will provide tailored support to government schools in the delivery of the specialist vocational pathway, VET, school based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) including Head Start, career education, school industry engagement and school transitions.
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Integrated Senior Secondary Certificate
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The integration of a vocational and applied learning pathway within the VCE will offer high-quality pathways for all students so they are better prepared for lifelong learning and can transition more smoothly through school, further education or training and work with the skills our economy needs.
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Development work will begin in 2021 to support the introduction of a new vocational specialist pathway in the VCE.
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This will include taking the current strengths of VCAL and introducing elements such as sequential curriculum, graded assessment for higher level units and new subjects in areas of industry demand.
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The new certificate will commence in 2023.
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As part of these reforms a new Foundation Pathways Certificate (currently Foundation VCAL) will also be introduced from 2023 to support students in all settings to make successful post-school transitions.
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The same high standards that apply to VCE will be retained as part of the new senior secondary certificate, and during the transition phase.
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The move to an integrated certificate by 2025 will provide all Victorian students with the opportunity to develop high quality academic and practical vocational skills that prepare them for the jobs of the future.
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The certificate will give students flexibility to combine academic and applied learning in line with their interests, strengths and career aspirations.
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This approach will also prepare students for diverse post-school pathways, which may involve both university and higher-level VET qualifications.
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AiGroup: An Apprenticeship Model for the Modern Economy Paper
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Earlier this week the AiGroup released a paper - An Apprenticeship Model for the modern economy.
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Background: Apprenticeships and traineeships are a central component in how Australia develops and maintains a skilled workforce and part of the skills equation that is key to our COVID economic recovery.
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This Ai Group paper considers the questions: if apprenticeships are truly valued, how can they be made more attractive to young people?
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How can more companies be encouraged to offer opportunities, especially during a recession?
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And if apprenticeships will not meet Australia's skills needs, how else can they be met?
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Apprenticeships and traineeships create the tradespeople, care workers, IT support workers and technicians that form the basis of a developed economy but they are not perfect.
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They rely on the strength of the economy and the goodwill of employers to create opportunities.
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They struggle to attract candidates because of perceptions that university qualifications are more desirable.
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Their quality can vary according to individual employers and training providers, and they are too concentrated at Certificate III levels.
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The apprenticeship and traineeship model can become better suited to the modern labour market with some enhancements – to ease the financial burden on employers; to improve their attractiveness to young people; to help employers and training providers provide better experiences; and to open up their availability to higher level skills.
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They can become an important vehicle for providing opportunities for young people to enter or re-join the labour market, and for helping employers re-establish their workforce as the economy recovers from the pandemic.
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In a period where skilled migration is likely to be curtailed for some time, a skilled workforce in place to assist future growth will help the Australian economy recover from this enforced recession.
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National Asbestos Week
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Did you know 1 in 3 Australian homes contain asbestos?
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It was used in more than 3,000 products prior to 1990 and still lurks in things like walls, eaves and flooring.
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Even if you’ve been in the game a long time, you might be surprised to know what materials contain asbestos.
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Knowing what to look for might not be as easy as you think
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AEN also have a short 2 minute animation on asbestos awareness aimed at apprentices / trainees that you can freely distribute and incorporate into any training.
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Christmas Closure
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Do you want 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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