|
|
|
AE News Volume 16, Issue 32
|
Friday, 15th September 2023
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
|
|
African Cultural Awareness & Recruitment
|
|
Business Writing for the Digitial Era
|
|
Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registrations Now Open!!
The stage is set, and the spotlight is shining bright on Victoria's apprentices, trainees and group training organisations. It's time to applaud their hard work, dedication, and remarkable achievements as the 2023 Apprentice Training Awards, hosted by AEN and Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) Australia, kick off.
|
These prestigious awards are all about recognising excellence in the group training sector and acknowledging the outstanding contributions of apprentices, trainees, GTO members, staff, and Industry Partners across Victoria.
|
AEN received over 140 nominations with finalists to be announced on 9th October 2023.
|
6.30pm – 10.30pm Wednesday 22 November 2023.
The Plaza Ballroom, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commencing on 11 September the VRQA will commence an awareness campaign titled BuildUp which will focus on female apprentices/ trainees working in the civil construction sector.
|
To ensure fair opportunities for all women apprentices, their employers must provide:
|
- A safe workplace
- Appropriate supervision
- Access to the tools and equipment they need to learn the skills for their qualification.
|
If employers are not providing that, the VRQA can help.
|
The BuildUP campaign will offer a dedicated hotline and email service for women apprentices in building and construction, and anyone with concerns about them.
|
If you are a woman building or construction apprentice experiencing issues, the VRQA encourage you to speak up and seek support.
|
|
The hotline will be open for 2 months, a message can be left at any time, and you can remain anonymous.
|
During the BuildUP campaign, VRQA authorised officers will also be in the field checking in on every woman apprentice currently undertaking a Certificate III in Civil Construction in Victoria.
|
Actively protecting women apprentices in the industry discourages non-compliant behaviour from employers and enhances equity and representation.
|
|
Call the BuildUP hotline on (03) 7022 5888 or email BuildUP@education.vic.gov.au
|
The hotline is open 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday for the next 2 months.
|
You can leave a message at any time and remain anonymous if you wish.
|
|
|
|
|
|
New VRQA authorised Officers
|
|
|
The VRQA have a new team of trained, in-house authorised officers ready to begin delivering field services for apprenticeships and traineeships in Victoria.
|
Commencing on 1 July 2023, all authorised officers will be employed by the VRQA. The previously contracted agency, Victorian Apprenticeship Field Services, will no longer deliver regulatory field services on our behalf.
|
In November 2022 the VRQA received a new Ministerial Statement of Expectations (SoE).
|
|
The SoE outlined that, to effectively address the risks of harm to apprentices and trainees, we should review, enhance and in-house field services.
|
Our team of authorised officers will ensure the best possible outcomes from field services and operate under the new VRQA compliance and enforcement framework for regulating apprenticeships and traineeships.
|
Authorised officers are deployed in response to concerns we have been notified of and through a planned work schedule of visits to workplaces where there is the highest risk of harm.
|
They have powers under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, allowing them to
|
- Enter a workplace
- Make enquiries
- Inspect and copy documents
Any apprentice, trainee or their employer with concerns can contact us on
|
|
For more information please visit, VRQA.
|
|
|
|
Evaluating the Victorian Building Equality Policy (BEP)
|
RMIT University is currently evaluating the Victorian Building Equality Policy (BEP) on behalf of the Victorian Government.
|
|
The aim is to understand how the BEP is implemented and identify opportunities to assist industry in meeting targets and other BEP requirements.
|
Part of this evaluation involves targeted interviews and focus groups with those involved in implementing the BEP or those in the industry with knowledge or views of the BEP.
|
Interviews/Focus groups aim to discuss
|
- Enablers and barriers to the implementation of the BEP
- Opportunities to support industry to meet BEP targets, engage and train women and/or effectively implement Gender Equality Action Plans
- Impacts the BEP may have on project delivery and recruitment and retention of women
|
If you are interested in participating in an interview or focus group, please contact Dr. Sarah Holdsworth on sarah.holdsworth@rmit.edu.au or phone Sarah on (03) 9925 9929.
|
|
|
|
September Quarter Market Report – Jobs and Skills Australia
|
|
|
The latest report shows that we’ve experienced strong labour market conditions over 2022-2023 and particularly strong growth in female full-time employment (up by 6.0%), more than double the growth rate for men (2.7%).
|
|
The report highlights the importance of Vocational Education and Training (VET) with around 91% of total employment growth was in occupations that typically require post-school qualifications.
|
|
|
|
|
Just over half (51.9%) of total employment growth was found in occupations where VET qualifications are the primary pathway.
|
Over the year to May 2023, employment increased in all eight major occupational groups. The largest increases in employment were recorded for Professionals (4.2%), Community and Personal Service Workers (6.0%) and Technicians and Trades Workers (3.5%).
|
|
|
The report also highlights that Aged and Disabled Carers, Registered Nurses and Child Carers, all care sector occupations, were the three strongest growing occupations over the last year.
|
Electricians are in high demand in regional Western Australia and Queensland and demand is expected to increase with Australia’s clean energy transformation, as a number of key regions are actively planning the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
African Cultural Awareness & Recruitment
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.
|
|
Date: Tuesday 26th September 2023
|
Business Writing for the Digital Era
Writing proper business-related documents in today’s workplace requires a solid understanding of the fundamentals behind how specific documents should be approached, designed and edited. Written communications in the workplace should be concise, yet thorough and well laid out.
|
Technology enabled communications (emails and texts) should also be well thought out and designed to get the correct message across, while avoiding any potential misinterpretation.
|
|
Date: Wednesday 3rd October 2023
|
Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training
This in-depth Indigenous cultural awareness training provides a thorough understanding of Australian Aboriginal history, government policies and their impacts on Aboriginal society.
|
During this session, participants will hear about current day challenges affecting Aboriginal communities and activities both nationally and in Victoria to improve existing shortfalls in key areas of disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
|
|
Date: Tuesday 10th October 2023
|
and select the event. All prices include GST.
|
|
Please login to the members area prior to purchasing tickets to access the members rate or to RSVP for a free event.
|
|
|
|
|
|
AEN & GAN Australia – Apprentice Exchange Program
|
|
APPLICATIONS CLOSING SOON!
The Global Apprenticeship Network Australia with support from GAN New Zealand, EJTC Canada and GTEXpro are offering current Australian 2nd, 3rd and 4th year apprentices over the age of 18 the opportunity to participate in a 4-week exchange program to Canada, New Zealand or Switzerland to broaden your trade knowledge, skills and experience.
|
Apprentice Exchange Program is a life-changing international experience that can take your career to new heights!
|
This unique program offers the chance to learn new skills and gain invaluable real-world experience through international trade training schools and workplaces.
|
By participating in this program, you’ll have the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, explore new subjects, and deepen your understanding of familiar skills.
|
This experience will give you a competitive edge in your future career and help you make lifelong connections with fellow apprentices from around the world.
|
|
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to broaden your horizons and achieve your dreams. Apply now for the Apprentice Exchange Program.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Since the program commenced in May 2020, a total of 1,106 participants have been supported to date.
|
|
|
|
|
Apprentices and trainees who have lost employment are encouraged to register.
|
Once registered, 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.
|
|
If you have an apprenticeship position you would like to fill, please contact the AEN Office so we can forward potential candidates that meet your criteria.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Head on over to GAN Australia and subscribe to the newsletter to be kept up to date with everything that’s happening with GAN Australia and the wider VET sector?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks to our Industry Partners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
