Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 14, Issue 9

Friday, 12th March 2021
Hi Reader!

Upcoming Events

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25 Mar - OHS Network Meeting

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program Banner
Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program
This program has now supported almost 650 participants since May 2020 and recommenced over 250 apprentices and trainees with a new employer.

Currently, there are over 70 participants on our active caseload.
Top 6 Occupations


  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Carpentry
  • Hair & Beauty
  • Chefs
  • General Mechanic
For Individuals

Apprentices and trainees who have lost 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, whilst also directing you to the most appropriate advice and assistance while you remain out of employment.
If you have an apprenticeship or traineeship position you would like to fill, please contact the AEN Office so we can forward potential candidates that meet your criteria.

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

Orygen Apprentice Mental Health Research Project

Orygen is the leading research, training and clinical service provider in Australia focused on the mental health of young people.

Orygen are developing a report on the mental health of apprentices and are holding consultative sessions to hear about your experiences. These sessions will a maximum of one-hour and will involve groups of 3 - 5 of your fellow apprentices discussing some of the following topics:
  • How apprenticeships impact mental health and wellbeing
  • The mental health and wellbeing support services available for apprentices
  • Apprenticeships and workplace culture

    These consultation sessions will help Orygen promote mental health support services which are optimised to meet the needs of apprentices.

    If you would like to attend one of these sessions, please email Cameron Boyle at Orygen at cameron.boyle@orygen.org.au.

    Local Jobs Program

    AEN has been contracted to deliver the Local Jobs Program for the Inner Metropolitan Melbourne Employment Region (IMMER). Carmel Veenstra and Melissa Kalemis have been appointed as Employment Facilitators in a job-share capacity to deliver this program for the region.
    Local Jobs Program
    The Local Jobs Program (LJP) is funded by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and supports tailored approaches to accelerate reskilling, upskilling and employment in regions where COVID-19 has had the highest level of impact on the labour market. Between March and December 2020, the IMMER has seen an increase 61,000 job seekers, the largest increase in any employment region in Victoria.

    Carmel and Melissa bring together key stakeholders including employers, employment services providers, higher education and training organisations to work collaboratively to address the priorities identified in the Local Jobs Plan for the region through the facilitation of projects and activities that will help transition job seekers into employment . They also chair the recently established Local Jobs Taskforce.

    There is a local recovery fund attached to the program to support projects where a funding gap is identified. Access to the recovery fund is through a separate procurement process and requires partnership with an eligible employment service provider (Jobactive, Transition to Work or Parents Next).

    The Department of Education, Skills and Employment are currently seeking project ideas that align to the five key priorities in the Inner Melbourne Region which are:

    1. Creating employment and training pathways into growth industries.
    2. Creating skill development and employment opportunities, across all sectors including filling apprenticeship and traineeship positions.
    3. Ensuring local job seekers gain the skills required by employers to fill local positions.
    4. Reducing the labour market disadvantage of Youth, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), Mature Aged and Indigenous Australians in the region.
    5. Strengthening existing micro businesses and supporting pathways to self-employment.
    We encourage you to contact Carmel (0417 344 455) and Melissa (0409 258 478) should you have a project idea or are undertaking activities that align to the priorities in the region.

    Further information regarding the Local Jobs Program can be found here.

    AEN & GAN Australia 2020 Award Winners

    2020 Awards Dinner Photo - John Hull Katharine Knapman
    The Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) and the Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) Australia were proud to announce the winners of the 2020 Victorian Apprenticeship Awards at a gala dinner at the Melbourne Sheraton Hotel on Thursday night.

    The ‘catch-up’ dinner, rescheduled due to the pandemic, acknowledged the hardships experienced in 2020 and recognised the apprentices and trainees who overcame adversity to remain engaged in their training and education throughout a challenging year.

    Gary Workman, Executive Director of GAN Australia and the AEN said, “It’s fantastic to celebrate the initiative and drive of apprentices and trainees. They are at the beginning of successful careers in a range of fields, from electrotechnology to business management to carpentry. I congratulate the winners of the 2020 Apprenticeships Awards, particularly multi-award winning Katharine Knapman, who received the International Apprentice Scholarship and ATOA Apprentice of the Year John Hull, who have both shown outstanding skill and commitment to their education.”

    “These awards celebrate the ways that all apprenticeships and traineeships develop the work-ready skills needed to pursue professional careers. I commend the nominees, and their employers, who have shown great resilience across 2020. With the support of their local group training organisations, businesses and their apprentices have the best chance to thrive in their industries,” Mr Workman said.
    2020 Awards Dinner Photo - Dean Luciani
    “These awards celebrate the ways that all apprenticeships and traineeships develop the work-ready skills needed to pursue professional careers. I commend the nominees, and their employers, who have shown great resilience across 2020. With the support of their local group training organisations, businesses and their apprentices have the best chance to thrive in their industries,” Mr Workman said.
    Katharine Knapman’s hard work during training for her Certificate III in Aboriculture has earned her three accolades in 2020. She is Trainee of the Year, the International Apprentice Scholarship recipient and the Women in Trades Inspiration Award winner. Katharine was the first female trainee hired at the Maroondah City Council and is an excellent example of the opportunities on offer for women looking to branch out to a trade. Katharine is dedicated to developing her skills and has taken on weekend work with external arborists to gain further expertise. She is looking forward to using her $12,000 scholarship to continue her education in the field she loves.

    Apprentice of the Year John Hull is completing his Certificate III in Parks and Gardens, making the most of his passion for working outdoors. After a long career in retail he is now enjoying studying and working simultaneously as a mature age apprentice. In addition to his work as an apprentice, John has developed his skills in leadership as a volunteer firefighter and has overcome health challenges to continue his qualification, making him a deserving winner of the 2020 award.

    We congratulate all winners and finalists across all categories.

    Scholarships for Women’s Leadership - Applications Extended

    Scholarships are still available through Women & Leadership Australia to support the development of female leaders across Australia’s training and development sector.

    Scholarships of $1,000 to $5,000 enable participation in one of three leadership development courses designed for emerging through to senior leaders.

    All scholarships must be allocated by the end of March and it is unsure when these scholarships will be available again.

    Register your interest by completing the Expression of Interest form.

    Nominations Open for Victorian Training Awards

    Outstanding individuals and organisations in the TAFE and training sector can now be nominated for a Victorian Training Award.

    The prestigious event is now in its 67th year and recognises the achievements of apprentices, students, teachers and employers.

    Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today opened nominations while visiting Rose City Vets in Benalla to present the VTA Trophy to 2020 Trainee of the Year winner Nicole Barrow.

    There are six award categories for individuals, four for employers and four for training organisations as well as the Industry Collaboration Award and the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement.

    Winners will receive $5000 prize money and winners in some categories will have the opportunity to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards.

    Applications close at midnight on Friday 4 June 2021 and winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in Melbourne on Friday 10 September.

    The event is supported by principal partner Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) and the Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN Australia).

    Last year’s winners included South West Institute of TAFE (SWTAFE) which was named the Large Training Provider of the Year in both the Victorian and Australian Training Awards for its innovative learning approach, smart classrooms and leadership in supporting students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

    National Careers Week

    National Careers Week is an initiative of the Career Industry Council of Australia which aims to celebrate careers, career development, its services and development practitioners as well as promoting the economic, social and personal benefits of career development.
    National Careers Week 2021
    Career development is the process of managing learning, work and leisure to progress through life.

    It includes gaining and ustilising the skills and knowledge required to plan and make informed decisions about education, training, and work.

    Everyday decisions and priorities affect career development. Ultimately, career development is about much more than jobs – it is about how to live your life.

    Check out the ideas and resources to assist you in planning and running your own National Careers Week Events!

    The website has included resources such as NCW logos & branding assets, social media templates, posters, and information sheets on a wide range of career development topics.

    Dig in and start planning for your next event!

    Nominations Open for New VET Champions Program

    High-achieving Victorians who have built successful careers through vocational education and training (VET) will be showcased as part of a new initiative to inspire the next generation of secondary school students.

    Minister for Education James Merlino today opened nominations for the new VET Champions initiative, which will promote the career pathways and opportunities open to secondary school students who pursue VET.

    The Victorian Government wants outstanding Victorians from a wide range of industries who are passionate about the work they are doing and the vocational pathways that get them there to take part.

    VET Champions could be someone who recently completed a course or apprenticeship or traineeship and is now thriving in their job, or they may be in their 30s and leading an exciting project or their own company.

    They will have the opportunity to share their experiences by speaking at events, participating in panel discussions, and meeting with students at school events or at TAFEs.

    VET Champions will be supported with specialised training in public speaking and presentation and will have their stories captured with digital content and videos.

    The VET Champions initiative will help improve students’ understanding of vocational pathways and career options, which was identified as a recommendation from the review.

    The Victorian Government is investing in creating the education and training pathways for students to get the skills they need for the jobs they want.

    Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements – Extended

    On Tuesday morning this week Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an extension to the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements until 30 September 2021.

    Any businesses or Group Training Organisation that engages an Australian Apprentice on or after 5 October 2020 may be eligible for a subsidy of 50 per cent of wages paid to an apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021, to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter.

    All BAC apprentices will now have the 50% wage subsidy paid until 30 September 2021.

    Final payment claims must be made by 31 December 2021.

    This assistance will support 100,000 new apprentices across Australia, and is in addition to the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy which is helping small and medium businesses to keep their apprentices and trainees in work and training.

    FAQs and Fact Sheets are available.

    DESE VET Reform Consultations

    There are a number of Quality Reform consultation activities currently underway, and it’s not too late to have your say. Your feedback through completing a survey, attending a workshop, or joining the webinar will directly contribute to shaping the future of VET in Australia.

    There are currently five Quality Reform surveys available which will close 5pm Monday 22 March 2021. Please complete any of the surveys that are relevant to you.
    Participate in an online workshop or webinar

    You can also choose to participate in either an online workshop or webinar to have your say on quality reforms in the VET sector. These are designed for anyone who wants to provide feedback in relation to RTO practices and factors that support high-quality training delivery.

    The quality reforms workshops and webinar seek your input to explore:
    • The features of high-quality training delivery and providers
    • The effectiveness of the current Standards for RTOs
    • How to support the VET workforce for high-quality delivery.
    Due to popular demand, additional workshops and an alternative format webinar has been released to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to provide their views and input. The webinar will cover similar content to the Quality Reform workshops, and will be of particular interest to those who have been unable to register for an online workshop.

    Quality Reform Workshops

    Tuesday 23 March: 10.00am - 11.30am
    Tuesday 23 March: 2.00pm - 3.30pm
    Thursday 25 March: 10.00am - 11.30am
    Thursday 25 March: 2.00pm - 3.30pm
    Friday 26 March: 10.00am - 11.30am
    Webinar

    Tuesday 16 March: 1.00pm - 2.30pm
    Skills Reform Workshops Registration
    Skills Reform Workshops Registration

    Minister Tierney launches Big Build Apprenticeship

    Apprenticeships Victoria
    Minister Tierney Launches Big Build Apprenticeships
    On Wednesday morning Minister for training and Skills Hon. Gayle Tierney launched the regional Apprenticeships Victoria initiative at the new building site Warrnambool city council.

    Find out more by visiting Apprenticeships Victoria.

    Victorian Construction Skill Sets

    The Victorian Government is offering free short accredited training courses to help people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic re-skill and find work in the construction industry.

    This training will be available immediately to people who wish to transition into the construction industry or those already in the industry who are seeking to re-skill.

    These courses are fee free and will be exempt from the usual Government-subsidised eligibility criteria. To manage demand, participants can only undertake one course.

    The courses will be delivered in partnership with key employers and industry bodies to deliver the skills required for Victoria’s major infrastructure projects and will be available up to 30th June 2021.

    NSW Skills Conference

    Apprentice Employment Network 2021 Skills Conference

    The 2021 Skills Conference is back!

    2020 has been a year we would all like to forget. The coronavirus has impacted our lives and the industry we work in.

    The Vocational Education and Training industry has seen significant declines in commencements with governments at all levels throwing financial resources to stimulate the industry.

    2021 will be a critical year for the long-term viability of VET. The NSW Skills Conference will look at the recovery strategies being put in place to establish the next generation of nation builders.

    When:
    Wednesday 16 June 2021

    Where;
    Dockside Darling Harbour
    Cockle Bay Wharf, Wheat Road

    AEN NSW & ACT have provided a special offer all Victorian members of AEN - a discounted rate if they wish to purchase tickets. Email jason@aennswact.com.au to register.

    We understand there is still a fear of travelling around covid-19 so we are going to provide an online/virtual option for interstate GTOs should they wish to participate but don't want to travel.

    This is not on the conference website as an option at the moment as we want as many to attend face to face where possible.

    The virtual option will be the same cost as attending face to face. This is currently for AEN Victorian Members $434.50 until 17th April.

    Supporting Communities to Celebrate Young Victorians

    Victorian Youth Week is back for the fourth year in a row, providing a unique opportunity to celebrate the skills and contributions of young Victorians.

    Minister for Youth Ros Spence today announced the opening of the 2021 round of Youth Week grants, with $2,000 grants available to councils, community organisations and schools to support the delivery of events.

    Victorian Youth Week is an annual celebration that recognises the contributions, achievements and diverse experiences of Victorians aged between 12 and 25. This year it will be celebrated from 26 June - 2 July 2021.

    Victorian Youth Week events are developed in partnership with young people, for young people, and showcase young Victorians’ talents, dreams, and contributions to their local communities. Events are an important opportunity for young people to express their ideas and have their voices heard.

    Grants will support events that are inclusive and accessible to all young people.

    Events funded in 2021 will need to comply with coronavirus (COVID-19) health advice at the time of delivery and demonstrate the capacity to be adapted to a virtual setting if required.

    Victorian Youth Week 2021 grant applications are open until Monday 12 April 2021.

    NCVER Update

    Government-funded students and courses – January to September 2020

    This week NCVER released a publication that provides a summary of data relating to estimated students, programs, subjects and training providers in Australia’s government-funded vocational education and training (VET) system between the January – September 2020.

    The National Skills Overview has now been updated with data and information for 2020/21.

    The Overview is an initiative of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee and forms part of the National Industry Insights Report website. It provides an analysis of industry skills needs along with factors and trends affecting skill demand at a national and cross-industry level.

    The Overview draws on Industry Reference Committee Skills Forecasts and Proposed Schedules of Work to support the design and development of training packages that meet our skills needs, now and into the future.
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    Head on over to GAN Australia and subscribe now.

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