|
|
|
AE News Volume 15, Issue 27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
|
|
|
6 Sept African Cultural Awareness & Recruitment
|
|
8 Sept Apprentice Wellbeing & Lifeskills Coaching Program
|
|
14 Sept Introduction to Industrial Relations
|
|
16 Sept Introduction to Industrial Relations (Online)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jobs and Skills Summit – Issues Paper Released
|
|
|
The Jobs and Skills Summit (the Summit) will bring together Australians, including unions, employers, civil society, and government, to discuss our shared economic challenges and propose both immediate and long-term solutions.
|
The goal of the Summit is to find common ground on how Australia can build a bigger, better trained and more productive workforce; boost real wages and living standards; and create more opportunities for more Australians.
|
|
Australia’s economy and labour market face complex challenges. While the unemployment rate is at historic lows, a tight labour market has also brought challenges including widespread and acute skill shortages.
|
|
|
|
|
Even before COVID-19, nominal wage growth had been weak and real wages had not risen significantly for around a decade. The ongoing effects of COVID-19, high inflation, rising interest rates, global economic uncertainty and disrupted supply chains further compound these challenges, which are holding back the potential of our economy and country.
|
At the same time, there is a huge opportunity to maximise jobs and opportunities from the increasing use of renewable energy, tackling climate change, digitalisation, growth in the care economy and developing our advanced manufacturing capabilities. If we work together to address these opportunities and challenges, we can meaningfully increase living standards for more Australians.
|
The Summit will cover five broad themes:
|
- Maintaining full employment and growing productivity.
- Boosting job security and wages.
- Lifting participation and reducing barriers to employment.
- Delivering a high-quality labour force through skills, training and migration.
- Maximising opportunities in the industries of the future.
Throughout the Summit there will be a strong overarching focus on women’s experiences of the labour market and the challenges of ensuring women have equal opportunities and equal pay.
|
|
This Issues Paper outlines the labour market challenges associated with these five themes. It is intended to provide Summit participants and the broader community with a common understanding of these issues so that we can begin working towards solutions to our shared economic challenges and ensure the labour market delivers good outcomes for all. The Summit is the first stage in the process. Ideas raised at the Summit may also be explored further through the White Paper on Employment (the White Paper), which will map a comprehensive blueprint for Australia’s future labour market.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ILO: Recovery in Youth Employment is Still Lagging
|
|
|
A new report released recently, shows large regional differences in young people's prospects in the labour market.
|
|
The Global Employment Trends for Youth 2022: Investing in transforming futures for young people report finds that the pandemic has exacerbated the numerous labour market challenges facing those aged between 15 and 24 years, who have experienced a much higher percentage loss in employment than adults since early 2020. The total global number of unemployed youths is estimated to reach 73 million in 2022, a slight improvement from 2021 (75 million) but still six million above the pre-pandemic level of 2019, the report says.
|
|
|
|
The share of youth not in employment, education or training (NEET) in 2020 – the latest year for which a global estimate is available – rose to 23.3 per cent, an increase of 1.5 percentage points from the previous year and a level not seen in at least 15 years. This group of young people are at particular risk of seeing their labour market opportunities and outcomes deteriorate also over the longer-term as “scarring” effects take hold.
Young women are worse off than young men, exhibiting a much lower employment-to-population ratio (EPR). In 2022, 27.4 per cent of young women globally are projected to be in employment, compared to 40.3 per cent of young men. This means that young men are almost 1.5 times more likely than young women to be employed. The gender gap, which has shown little sign of closing over the past two decades, is largest in lower-middle-income countries, at 17.3 percentage points, and smallest in high-income countries, at 2.3 percentage points.
|
Investment in these sectors must be accompanied by the promotion of decent working conditions for all young workers, the study says. This includes ensuring that they enjoy fundamental rights and protections including freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, equal pay for work of equal value, and freedom from violence and harassment at work.
“The COVID-19 crisis has revealed a number of shortcomings in the way the needs of young people are addressed, especially the more vulnerable such as first-time jobseekers, school dropouts, fresh graduates with little experience and those who remain inactive not by choice,” said Martha Newton, ILO Deputy Director-General for Policy. “What young people need most is well‑functioning labour markets with decent job opportunities for those already participating in the labour market, along with quality education and training opportunities for those yet to enter it.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apprentice Training Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
- GTO Service
- GTO Industry Excellence
|
- GTO/AEN Fellowship
- GTO/AEN Lifetime Achievement
|
|
|
|
|
- ATOA Apprentice of the Year
- Trainee of the Year
- SBAT of the Year
- STAR - OHS Initiative
|
- Disability Achievement
- Indigenous Student of the Year
- Overcoming Adversity
- Women in Trades
|
|
|
|
Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) Australia Awards
|
|
|
|
- International Apprentice Scholarship
|
|
|
|
Nominations Close: 9 September 2022
|
|
Finalist Announced: 14 October 2022
|
|
Awards Presented: 23 November 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R U OK? Day
|
|
R U OK? Day is Thursday 8 September 2022.
|
It’s our national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling with life.
|
R U OK? has released resources, tips and ideas to help you drive genuine change in your workplace, school and community.
|
|
Sign up via the website to access the R U OK?Day 2022 resources.
|
|
|
|
|
|
New OECD Report: Meet the Future
|
|
|
With OECD data showing that 40% of students plan to work in jobs at high risk of total or partial automation over the next decade, the OECD says employers gain by working with schools on students’ career guidance.
|
|
Young people are graduating from school with more qualifications and greater ambition than ever, yet many plan on working in jobs that will be totally or partially automated over the next decade.
|
Meanwhile, employers now are struggling to recruit young people with the skills and experience they need.
|
|
|
|
|
New OECD Report: Meet the Future - How Employers Gain from Helping Young People get Career Ready.
|
|
|
|
|
|
August is Tradies National Health Month
|
|
|
August is Tradies National Health Month, an awareness initiative that shines a light on tradies health and wellbeing.
|
Did you know, tradies working in the construction industry can be significantly impacted by poor mental health? Mental injuries are on the rise and now more than ever, your workers’ physical and mental safety should be top of mind.
|
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) account for 60% of injuries sustained by Victorian construction workers. MSD can have significant and long-term impacts on workers' physical and mental health and can end careers.
|
Over the last 12 months in Victoria:
|
- Construction has the third highest number of injury-related claims across all industries.
- Tradies working in carpentry, plumbing and electrical have been the most affected with the highest number of injuries.
- One-third of these claims are due to injuries sustained from manual handling.
- Tradies working in construction are significantly affected by poor mental health as mental injuries in the industry are rising yearly.
|
|
|
|
|
2022 National Skills Week
|
|
The 2022 National Skills Week will take place 22-28 August with the theme, 'A Universe of Skills: Go Beyond Your Imagination.'
|
Now in its 12th year, National Skills Week is dedicated to raising the profile and status of vocational learning, dispelling outdated myths and raising awareness of the many careers available.
The challenge is to provide potential students, parents and carers with clear information on possible career pathways, training options and emerging new skills areas.
There are a range of events planned for the week. You can also register your event on the National Skills Week website.
For further information, please visit National Skills Week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plastics Ban - From 1 February 2023
|
Single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink-stirrers, expanded polystyrene food and drink containers, and cotton bud sticks will be banned from sale or supply in Victoria from 1 February 2023.
|
|
|
The ban will apply to items made from conventional plastic, and those made from degradable, biodegradable and compostable plastic. This recognises that all forms of plastic can be bad for the environment when littered. Many compostable plastic items also require processing at a specialised compost facility in order to break down.
|
- make up a third of the litter we see on our streets and in our waterways – they are difficult and costly to clean up
- are often used for only a few minutes but remain in the environment for a long time
- pollute the environment – harming wildlife and contaminating our food and water.
By banning problematic single-use plastics, we will reduce plastic pollution.
|
|
We are encouraging everyone to get ready for the single-use plastic ban, ahead of the commencement on 1 February 2023.
|
You can avoid single-use plastic items and choose reusable alternatives instead. Where this isn’t possible, choose single-use items made from materials* such as paper, wood or bamboo.
|
Businesses can prepare for the ban now by:
|
- considering alternative reusable items or single-use items made from materials* such as bamboo, wood or paper
- running down stocks of banned items, and not ordering more
- avoiding the items that are to be banned.
* Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified where applicable
|
|
How will the ban take effect?
|
The ban of specific single-use plastic items from sale or supply across Victoria will be enacted by regulations from 1 February 2023.
|
|
Feedback via public consultation on Engage Victoria on the draft Regulations and Regulatory Impact Statement is being considered and will inform the final regulations to be released later this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming AEN Professional Development
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Participants will gain an understanding of African beliefs, values, work/family values and how to work with African communities. Gain insight into the importance of cultural inclusion throughout the recruitment process along with strategies to develop, retain and support African apprentices/trainees.
|
|
|
|
|
Anyone with recruitment responsibilities of African apprentices/trainees.
|
|
Members: $50
Non-Members: $90
|
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
This workshop will provide an understanding of the industrial relations environment that Group Training Organisations work within. The workshop aims to assist staff who are new to group training, and those wanting to refresh their IR knowledge who are required to have an understanding of IR obligations and practices in their day-to-day work.
|
|
|
|
|
Payroll officers, field officers and anyone wanting to refresh their IR knowledge
|
|
|
|
|
10 October - Youth Mental Health First Aid (Accredited)
|
|
18 October - Indigenous Cultural Recruitment
|
26 October - Supporting Apprentices with Disability
|
For more information about these PD sessions and to register, please go to AEN Events Calendar and select the event. All prices include GST.
|
|
AEN Members: Please login to Member’s area prior to purchasing tickets to access the member rate or to RSVP for a free event.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program
|
|
|
Since the program commenced in May 2020, a total of 910 participants have been supported with 820 currently in training:
|
|
The top three occupations are Electrical (231), Plumbing (167), and Carpentry (130).
|
|
|
|
Currently, there are 11 candidates on our active caseload:
|
- Electrical - 2
- Automotive - 2
- Plumbing - 2
- Carpentry - 1
- Business - 2
- Other - 2
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
APAC – Technical and Vocational Education Forum
|
|
The first APAC TVET Forum took place on the 5th and 12th of November 2021, around the theme of “Bringing Us Together”.
|
Close to 1,000 registered participants from 61 countries joined together for a cross-system conversation about effective skills development. Attendees heard from senior government officials, major companies, international organisations and TVET sector leaders from around the world.
|
|
|
|
This year’s knowledge-sharing event will take place across two-days:
|
|
|
|
|
While gaining new connections across APAC TVET, visitors will gain insight on hot topics including sustainable practices, digital learning and micro-credentials.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NCVER Update
|
The latest NCVER report shows that 4.3 million students were enrolled in nationally recognised VET in 2021, an increase of 9.0% compared with 2020.
Both domestic fee-for-service and government-funded VET recorded an increase in student numbers. Domestic fee-for-service students increased in 2021 by 13.1% compared to 2020, while government-funded students increased by 4.5%. Growth in Government-funded student participation was concentrated in Certificate III to Diploma level qualifications.
The increase in domestic fee-for-service students by comparison was largely driven by increased enrolments in subjects that were not undertaken as part of a nationally recognised course or qualification, particularly in subjects drawn from the health training package.
International student participation, however, decreased by 4.3%. This can be attributed to the reduced international students new to VET due to COVID-19 related border restrictions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAN Conference
|
|
Earlier this week the conference committee agreed to reschedule The Future of Apprenticeships Conference.
|
The change comes as a result of increasing COVID cases in Melbourne with Employers and government officials being encouraged to work remotely. There was a concern that international speakers, government officials and delegates would be sitting in a conference room potentially with local participants having to video conference into the event.
|
The event has been designed to be as interactive as possible with a combination of guest speakers, government workshops and site visits/ study tours so our preference is for that interaction and networking to happen to ensure strong relationships are formed going forward.
|
This decision hasn’t been taken lightly and we appreciate the support of everyone involved to date.
|
|
Rescheduled Date: Sunday 5th February to Friday 10th February 2023
|
|
Melbourne: 5th February to 8th February 2023 (inc. travel to Aukland, NZ on 8th February)
|
Auckland: 9th February to 10th February 2023
|
|
Conference registrations will commence shortly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Do you want to be kept up to date with everything that’s happening with GAN Australia and the wider VET sector?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks to our Industry Partners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
