Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 14, Issue 11

Friday, 26th March 2021
Hi Reader!

Upcoming Events

1457023190_Calendar
2 Apr - Public Holiday: Good Friday

4 Apr - Public Holiday: Easter Monday

21-22 Jun - Mid Year Conference

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program Banner
Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program
This program has now supported over 730 participants since May 2020 and over 260 apprentices and trainees have commenced with a new employer.

Currently, there are almost 130 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.

Victorian Liberal Party – New Shadow Cabinet

On Sunday 21 March, the Victorian Liberal leader Michael O'Brien announced his new shadow cabinet following a failed leadership challenge.

He has appointed Brad Rowswell to the energy, innovation, bay protection, and fishing portfolios, while Matt Bach will take on early childhood, child protection, skills and higher education.

"I'm very proud that we've got two young, bright, energetic MPs stepping forward to help shape the Liberal Party's policy pitches and help shape the rebuild of Victoria," Mr O'Brien told reporters on Sunday.

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.

Researching Adult and Vocational Education (RAVE) Online Conference

The Australian VET Research Association conference will be held online from 12pm each day between 19 - 23 April 2021.
AVENTRA VET Road to Recovery
AVENTRA Equity and Diversity
AVENTRA Practice and Pedagogy
AVENTRA Focus on VET Research
AVENTRA Where VET Fits

CONFERENCE PRICES

$35
AVETRA MEMBERS

$85
NON-MEMBERS
(Special)

$120
NON-MEMBERS
(Full-Time Employed)
There are several well-known national and international speakers.

If your availability is limited, you may be interested to know that the keynote speeches will be available on-line each morning and will remain available for registrants.

Three papers from RAVE researchers are being presented in the parallel paper streams.

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.

Jobs Victoria Boost: Wages Subsidy Fund Open for Business

The Victorian Labor Government today opened applications for the Jobs Victoria Fund, a wage subsidy program that supports businesses to hire people whose employment has been most affected by the pandemic.

As part of the landmark Jobs Victoria initiative, Victorian small and medium-sized businesses, sole traders, local councils, social enterprises, universities and not-for-profits are invited to apply for a share of $250 million in wage subsidies to create new jobs for at least 10,000 people.

The Fund will help Victorian businesses and organisations to rebuild and grow by providing a wage subsidy of up to $20,000 per eligible employee to meet the costs of taking on new workers for the first 12 months of their employment.

The Jobs Victoria Fund recognises that women’s employment has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, with $150 million of the fund dedicated to supporting women back into work, including $50 million supporting women over the age of 45.

The Fund also focuses on people looking for work who are young, those who have been unemployed for six months or more, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees and asylum seekers, and people living with a disability.

Employers looking for more information on the Jobs Victoria Fund can call the Jobs Victoria hotline on 1300 208 575. They can also register on the Jobs Victoria online hub to post jobs and recruit skilled and qualified people looking for work in their local area.

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!

Victorian Government - Education Week

Victoria’s annual Education Week is returning this May, with the theme for 2021 ‘Building Connections’.

Education Week 2021 explores the importance of community in a child’s journey through school and is an opportunity to build on the connections within schools and local communities.

We hope to hear from organisations that can incorporate the theme into a fun activity for school students.

Activities you could consider include (but are not limited to) interactive workshops, exhibitions, tours, online/digital education programs, outreach programs, presentations, or demonstrations.

Small grants are also available to assist eligible not-for-profit organisations to host an activity.

Organisations are encouraged to read the eligibility guidlines, information pack and application forms before submitting proposals.

Activities must be COVIDSafe and run during 23 - 29 May 2021.

Your free event will be promoted through a calendar published on the Department’s website.

The British Council - Apprenticeship Benchmarking Tool

The British Council, a long standing partner to the GAN, has recently developed an Apprenticeship Benchmarking Tool, which allows policy makers to compare their apprenticeship systems against a global standard and their peers around the world.

By designing a benchmarking tool for apprenticeship systems, the British Council have provided a roadmap for countries to assess and compare their policy and practice. This international collaboration and comparison has been highly valued by those who have taken part so far and even though systems and practice are different and have varied aims, benchmarking is useful.

It is a new way to help countries take an objective look at whole systems before forming judgements on what needs to change, and to learn from others experience before shaping that change.

Governments and agencies that have an interest in building quality apprenticeship systems are encouraged to use the tool and to contact British Council with any further ideas on how it can be improved.

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.

Information on COVID-19 Vaccine

Australian Government Department of Health have produced a range of information relating to several easy to read COVID-19 vaccine resources.

Each Easy to Read fact sheet explains a different topic about the vaccine. Breaking up the information into simple topics, and answering key questions makes this content easier for the community to read and understand.

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.

Quality Reforms Surveys Extended

There are a number of Quality Reform surveys currently open, and it’s not too late to submit your response.

The surveys have been extended to allow stakeholders the time and opportunity to provide their views and input.

You can complete a survey before 12pm (AEDT) Monday 29 March 2021 to help improve the quality of Australia’s VET system.

There are currently five Quality Reform surveys available on Skills Reform which are closing soon.

Please complete any of the surveys that are most relevant to you.

The Supporting VET Workforce Quality Survey seeks feedback on different aspects of the VET workforce to inform the development of the VET Workforce Quality Strategy. Anyone who engages with the VET sector, including trainers and assessors, RTO managers, as well as peak bodies, employers and other VET stakeholders are welcome to respond.

The RTO Quality Survey is seeking views of all stakeholders on the quality of registered training organisations (RTOs) and how to support high quality training. This survey is for RTOs, employers and other VET stakeholders, although anyone who is interested may respond.

The purpose of the RTO Standards Survey is to enhance our understanding of aspects of the Standards which work in practice and those which do not, and to identify where there are commonalities of issues faced by the sector with regard to the Standards. This survey is targeted towards active users of the Standards (e.g. RTOs, trainers and assessors, VET experts).

The RTO Training Experience Survey is requesting feedback from anyone (and parents/carers) who has undertaken VET training in the last five years. The purpose of this survey is to better understand from a learner perspective what contributes to high quality training and in what areas the quality of training could be improved.

The RTO Student Pulse Survey seeks feedback from students who have undertaken VET training in the last five years. The survey responses will help us improve the quality of training delivery by informing our understanding of where quality needs to be lifted, and what sets excellent registered training organisations (RTOs) apart.

Have you been involved in effective collaboration and innovation in the VET sector?

We want to hear your stories about effective collaboration between stakeholders in the VET sector and innovative practices which contribute to high-quality training delivery.

Sharing your story will help us to understand how good collaboration and innovation helps to achieve better outcomes for learners, employers and Australian workplaces.

Complete a Good Practice Story Submission Form.
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