Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 13, Issue 15

Friday, 8th May 2020
Hi Reader!

Upcoming Events

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Check out our calendar for full list of events.




Update to JobKeeper

Extension of time to enrol for the JobKeeper scheme

The Commissioner has extended the time to enrol for the initial JobKeeper periods, from 30 April 2020 until 31 May 2020.

If you enrol by 31 May you will still be able to claim for the fortnights in April and May, provided you meet all the eligibility requirements for each of those fortnights. This includes having paid your employees by the appropriate date for each fortnight.

For the first two fortnights (30 March – 12 April, 13 April – 26 April), it is acceptable that the minimum $1,500 payment for each fortnight has been paid by you even if it has been paid late, provided it is paid by 8 May 2020.

If you do not pay your staff by this date, you will not be able to claim JobKeeper for the first two fortnights.

You can enrol and claim for JobKeeper earlier if you choose. For example, you can enrol by the end of April to claim JobKeeper payments for the two fortnights in April.

Update to JobKeeper rules

To ensure the integrity and the efficient operation of the JobKeeper Payment scheme, the Government is clarifying the operation of some rules:
  • employees employed through a special purpose entity, rather than an operating entity
  • charities and the treatment of government revenue
  • religious practitioners
  • 'one in all in’ principles
  • full time students aged 16 and 17 years old
  • international aid organisations, and
  • universities.
The Department is developing information and guidance and will update their website as soon as possible.

You can find more information on the Apprenticeship Wage Support Program from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

National Skills Commission, Skills Organisations and National Careers Institute Co-design Consultations

The skills needs of Australia are set to evolve as we respond to the economic impact of COVID-19. More than ever, a modern, flexible and responsive skills and training system, and careers sector, will be important to a strong economy for all Australians. This is why your ongoing contribution to improving our training system and careers sector is so valuable.

We thank you for your openness and willingness to be part of our National Skills Commission, Skills Organisations and National Careers Institute co-design consultations late last year. These were extremely successful, reaching over 800 participants from across the education and training and careers sectors.

We are pleased to share the consultation summary reports for the National Skills Commission, Skills Organisations and National Careers Institute co-designs. These capture the views shared with the Department through the co-design consultations, interviews, roundtables and online submissions.

The reports will inform the future design and improvements to the National Skills Commission, Skills Organisations, and the ongoing role of the National Careers Institute.

Macklin Victorian VET Review

Macklin Victorian VET Review
It was in very different circumstances last November that the Minister for Training and Skills, Gayle Tierney, asked Jenny Macklin to undertake an independent review of Victoria’s post-secondary education and training system.

This was always an important initiative, but now with an economic crisis sparked by the global pandemic our work on the Review is even more critical.

With its recently announced rescue package, the Victorian Government has recognised that our vocational education and skills sector is vital both to the emergency response and to the rebuilding of the economy after the pandemic passes.

Many of the front-line workers providing essential services through this crisis learnt their skills in the VET system, including nurses and other health care professionals, early childhood educators, as well as community services and construction workers.

The aim with this Review is to work with leaders in training and industry, and with the government, to develop a blueprint for reform that will help build a post-secondary education system based on excellence.

In particular, a system that can deliver quality courses and graduates ready to play their role in a rapidly changing economy as we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.

Have Your Say

One of the best ways you can contribute to the Review process is by making a submission online via the Engage Victoria site. You can refer to the Issues Paper for an outline of some of the key questions and topics to respond to.

Also, if you’re a student, teacher or employer you might wish to complete one of the short surveys.

Submissions will close on June 5, so we are urging everyone with a stake in the future of Victoria’s post-secondary education system to send in their responses before the closing date.

Speak to the Review

Despite the restrictions on face to face consultations, the Review has been gathering feedback and holding virtual discussions with a range of community stakeholders. If your organisation would like to run a virtual forum or roundtable with us, please contact the Review team via the website.

It is clear that the current crisis will test the ability of the skills and training sector to weather significant external shocks. It will invariably illuminate underlying problems, but it can also reveal ideas for greater innovation, agility and collaboration. Let’s seize the opportunity to boldly rethink what reforms we need to help Victoria’s economy recover quickly and develop the future workforce we need.

WorldSkills Australia National Championships & Skills Show 2021

WorldSkills 2021
Are you becoming more focused than usual on your daily step count, the ideal temperature, settings and rest time required for the perfect loaf of sourdough, or maybe even considering refreshing your tresses with a bold new hair colour?

We get it, you need a little distraction. Something like...planning your next trip? Well, we hear you!

Come with us and get ready to witness greatness, discover potential, and explore skills excellence at Australia’s largest trades and skills competition.

The 2021 National Championships in Perth will give regional winners from across the nation an opportunity to put their talent to the test.

Perth is situated in a lovely spot by waters of the Indian Ocean. Beautiful sandy beaches, islands, riverside parks and gardens and historic seaside towns surround this city and play a key role in its charm.

In recent years, Perth has truly come of age as more and more Australians have realised the beauty of the city and its many offerings within driving distance nearby – despite its remote location – and tourism has flourished as a result.

Make sure you put the dates in your calendar and start planning your trip to Perth 2021!

For further information please visit World Skills.

RMIT Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled-Div 2 Nursing) Traineeship

RMIT are now offering the Diploma of Nursing under a Traineeship model. RMIT has successfully developed and delivered the Diploma of Nursing Traineeship to some of Victoria’s major health providers and currently has limited places available for Group Training Organisations.

The Industry model for the enrolled Nursing program is a collaboration with Industry Partners and provides students with a technology enhanced learning experience using simulation laboratories, a new web based simulation experience that can be accessed by students online at any time and online learning capability.

The program is designed and contextualised to ensure that students are well prepared when they graduate. Graduates of this program may continue with further studies through the Bachelor of Nursing degree.

This model differs from the conventional EN program in that it is delivered over an 18 month period and embedded within the Industry Partners Health Care setting and customised to include the partners policies and procedures.

For more information, please contact:

Geoff Davey
Business Development Manager - geoff.davey@rmit.edu.au - 0439 108 331

Debbie Reynolds
Director - Industry Initiatives & Engagement - debbie.reynolds@rmit.edu.au - 0419259628

Victorian Training Awards - Nominations are Open

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Eligible trainees or apprentices in the Victorian TAFE and training sector who deserve recognition for their achievements can now apply for this year’s Victorian Training Awards.

The Awards recognise and reward the achievements of apprentices, students, teachers, employers, and training providers across 15 general categories, People’s Choice Awards, and the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement. Winners will also have the opportunity to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards at the end of the year in Brisbane.

The AEN and GAN Australia are once again proudly supporting the Awards as a Principal Partner for the second year running.

Entries close midnight Friday 5 June, so make sure you submit your nomination before then.

For more information, visit the Victorian Training Awards.

Adequacy of Newstart and Related Payments and Alternative Mechanisms to Determine the Level of Income Support Payments in Australia

Recently the Commonwealth Government through the Community Affairs References Committee released a report into the Adequacy of Newstart and related payments and alternative mechanisms to determine the level of income support payments in Australia

See the full report for further information.

'No Frills' 2020 is Back

That's right! With such a strong program already in place, NCVER are taking the 29th National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills’ online for the first time ever.

With an innovative mix of live and pre-recorded content, including keynote speakers, workshops and presentations, #NoFrills2020 will immerse you in the future of VET.

It’s all happening from 7-10 July 2020, so save the date and subscribe to NCVER News for more details.

WGEA Annual Reporting has Opened

WGEA
Are you ready to report this year?

2019-20 compliance reports are due for submission between 1 May and 31 July 2020.

WEGA understand the potential disruption that COVID-19 may cause many business operations in the coming months. The Agency will continue to monitor the situation and the impacts it may have on your business. For this reason, we encourage your organisation to prepare and submit as much of your data as early as possible. Please contact WGEA if you are experiencing difficulties.

This year, there are a few changes to the reporting process that WEGA would like you to take note of.

myGovID

Access to our reporting portal now requires a myGovID. If you have not yet obtained your myGovID, we encourage you to:
  • make sure you have obtained your myGovID- to get started go to the myGovID website.
  • once you have your myGovID, make sure you can login to the reporting portal before reporting commences to make sure there are no problems
New Online Reporting System

The Agency is in the process of developing a new online reporting system. WEGA appreciate that the current system can be slow and frustrating to use.

However, there are three things you can do now to keep your organisation ahead of the game:
  • Login to the reporting portal before 1 May to check your contact details are up to date;
  • Start to collect and prepare your organisation's data; and
  • Generate the reporting questionnaire in April - even if you don't complete it in April - by clicking on 'Start or edit report' and then clicking 'Not started' at step three.
To help you this 2019-20 reporting period, WEGA have refreshed their reporting resources on the new website.

Pages you may find helpful include:

For further information please visit the WGEA website.

How are European Countries Managing Apprenticeships to Respond to the COVID-19 Crisis?

CEDEFOP COVID19 (2)
European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop)

In April 2020, Cedefop's community of apprenticeship experts launched an internal consultation on how European countries are managing apprenticeships in the current health emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Twenty five experts contributed to this exercise from: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK (England and Wales).

This publication is the synthesis report from the consultation.

To access the full report please visit CEDEFOP.

ATO Updates - Supporting Businesses

The Australian Government is supporting Australian businesses to manage cash flow challenges and retain employees. Assistance includes cash flow support to businesses and temporary measures to provide relief for financially distressed businesses.

Below is a full list of the latest programs available to support businesses

Final Call: Last Chance to Register for Scholarship Funding

Women currently working in the training and development sector have a final opportunity to register their interest in a scholarship worth up to $5,000 to support participation in an online leadership development program.

It is unsure when this funding will be available again, and the registration deadline has been extended until 5pm on June 19.

Find out more at Women & Leadership Australia.

Upcoming Public Holidays

Mon 8 June Queen's Birthday
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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?

Head on over to GAN Australia and subscribe now.

Bunnings Apprentice Trade PowerPass

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Don't miss a world of opportunities! As a Bunnings PowerPass Apprentice member, you can benefit from a huge range of exclusive deals.
  • ABN free applications for trade-related apprentices
  • Access to PowerPass prices and offers on a wide range of trade products
  • Invitations to exclusive trade events
  • Offers tailored to apprentice’s needs
  • Bunnings Trade merchandise
For further information and details on how to sign up please visit Bunnings Trade PowerPass.

Thanks to our Industry Partners

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AustralianApprenticeshipsPathways
AustralianSuper
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VicSuper
VictorianChamberOfCommerceAndIndustry
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