Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 15, Issue 22

Friday, 15th July 2022
Hi Reader!

Upcoming Events

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3 Aug - Inspirational Leadership
10 Aug - Apprentice Wellbeing & Lifeskills Coaching Program
21-24 Aug - GAN Conference
6 Sept - African Cultural Awareness & Recruitment
8 Sept - Apprentice Wellbeing & Lifeskills Coaching Program

GAN Conference – Registrations Now Open

2022 GAN Future of Apprenticeships Banner
We invite you to be a part of 'The Future of Apprenticeships: Perspectives from Switzerland, New Zealand and Australia Striving for Excellence' Conference.

Date: Sunday 21 - Wednesday 24 August 2022
Venue: Pullman on the Park, Melbourne
Early bird rate: $1,078

Early bird registration closes on 21 July.

The conference will focus on reigniting apprenticeships in Australia and connecting like-minded international collaborators, government stakeholders, industry participants, group training organisations, unions and educational institutions to build economic prosperity by working together. It promises to be an excellent opportunity to network and connect with industry stakeholders, participate in a range of workshops, facilitated debates and attend industry network events.

To register for the event, please visit GAN Conference.
2022 GAN Future of Apprenticeships Footer

National Jobs and Skills Summit

The Federal government recently announced the Jobs and Skills Summit that will bring together Australians, unions, employers, civil society and governments, to address our shared economic challenges on 1-2 September 2022.
National Jobs Summit
The Summit and subsequent Employment White Paper will focus on:
  • keeping unemployment low, boosting productivity and incomes
  • delivering secure, well-paid jobs and strong, sustainable wages growth
  • expanding employment opportunities for all Australians including the most disadvantaged
  • addressing skills shortages and getting our skills mix right over the long term
  • improving migration settings to support higher productivity and wages
  • maximising jobs and opportunities from renewable energy, tackling climate change, the digital economy, the care economy and a Future Made in Australia
  • and ensuring women have equal opportunities and equal pay.
Led by the Prime Minister and Treasurer, and supported by other key ministers, the Summit will recommend immediate actions and opportunities for medium and long-term reform.

Although Summit attendance will be limited and invitation only, Treasury will invite submissions and engage the wider community over the next 12 months.

The Summit program and an issues paper will be published before the event.

Submissions to the White Paper will open later in 2022.

For further details, please visit Jobs and Skills Summit.

New Ai Group Report: Digital Transformation is More About People than Technology

A new report released this week by Ai Group's Centre for Education and Training (CET) sets out the scale of the digital transformation opportunity (and challenge) before us.

In releasing the report, Ai Group's Head of Education & Training and Executive Director of the CET, Megan Lilly, said: "Digital transformation presents an incredible opportunity to grow and reshape our economy for the better, but the secret to unlocking this potential lies with people, not machines.

"We conducted interviews and case studies with 18 Australian companies drawn from a broad cross section of Ai Group's membership.
Ai Group report
"The report found:
  • The pandemic has been an incredible catalyst for change.  
  • For these businesses, adopting, and adapting to new technologies in recent years has:
    • Driven demand for entirely new skillsets in a relatively short time;
    • Required existing jobs to be re-designed;
    • Changed the role and function of managers;
    • Driven cost savings;
    • Caused shortages in 'in demand' skills;
    • Caused businesses to focus more on training and development.  
  • As COVID-19 turned more businesses towards e-commerce, many needed a range of new skillsets, such as marketing, distribution and logistics, website building and maintenance, and data intelligence and analytics. 
  • Digital transformation has changed the roles of managers considerably.
  • There is a wide spectrum of 'digital maturity', with strategic planning for a digital strategy less common outside of large corporations. Changes in smaller businesses tended to be more ad hoc and reactive.  
  • Changes in technology are driving shifts in job function and job design. Administrative roles have decreased, and production engineers and IT product managers have expanded, and now involve coordinating a range of digital inputs and processes to achieve an outcome. 
  • All the businesses were looking to use digitally generated data to make business decisions more effectively.
  • The majority of businesses reported difficulties recruiting and retaining staff with the increased digital capability now required.
  • Many felt the education and training system needed to better reflect today's business environment and prepare workers with a mindset to continually update their skills to remain productive.  
"Digital transformation presents obvious benefits – productivity gains through automation and optimisation, the ability to reach potentially limitless markets and develop new business models," she said.

"However, beyond that, digital technologies can be harnessed to change work for the better, with opportunities to improve flexibility, counter the tyranny of distance and improve diversity and inclusion.

"Our policy response is as important as the transformation itself.

"Policy actions recommended by the report include:
  • Ensure baseline digital literacy for all 
  • Remake the education and training system for lifelong learning 
  • Make work-integrated and work-based learning the norm 
  • Expressly develop ‘human’ capabilities and characteristics 
  • Ensure no one is left behind
  • Get skilled migration right 
  • Foster business certainty to drive investment 
  • Create trust in technology by protecting against risks 
  • Ensure a better data picture of skill needs 
  • Work together to step up to the challenge 
"Successfully navigating digital transformation matters, to us all. As a nation, it's critical to sustaining our productivity and global competitiveness. For enterprises, large and small, it's life and death, as no business will escape the tide of digital transformation that is coming for them, whether they like it or not," Ms Lilly said.

To access the report, please visit Ai Group.

World Youth Skills Day – 2022

World Youth Skills Day
In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. Since then, World Youth Skills Day has provided a unique opportunity for dialogue between young people, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, firms, employers’ and workers’ organizations, policy-makers and development partners.

World Youth Skills Day 2022 takes place amid concerted efforts towards socio-economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that are interconnected with challenges such as climate change, conflict, persisting poverty, rising inequality, rapid technological change, demographic transition and others.

Young women and girls, young persons with disabilities, youth from poorer households, rural communities, indigenous peoples, and minority groups, as well as those who suffer the consequences of violent conflict and political instability, continue to be excluded due to a combination of factors. In addition, the crisis has accelerated several transitions the world of work was already undergoing, which add layers of uncertainty regarding the skills and competencies that will be in demand after the pandemic is overcome.

TVET is well placed to help address these challenges by reducing access barriers to the world of work, ensuring that skills gained are recognized and certified, and offering skills development opportunities for out-of-school youth and those not in employment, education or training (NEET). During this Decade of Action for the 2030 Agenda, the full engagement of young people in global processes is vital to generate positive change and innovation.

For further information please visit World Youth Skills Day.

Expressions of Interest Now Open for 2022 WorldSkills Regional Competitions

Worldskills expressions
The WorldSkills Australia regional competitions are the beginning of a new competition cycle, this time culminating in the WorldSkills International Competition in Lyon 2024.

But more than that, a regional competition is the beginning of a lifechanging experience for Australia’s most gifted, most dedicated trades and skills talent. Regional success opens up myriad pathways not available to most – national and international recognition, invaluable mentorship, travel and scholarship opportunities and an unparalleled level of skilling up in their chosen field.

When you compete in a regional competition, you’re starting a journey that leads to you being the very best in your field.

For further details, please visit WorldSkills Australia.

Bendigo Kangan Institute Digital Traineeship Pilot in partnership with Carsales, LiveTiles and Infoxchange

digital-skills
Digital skills are evolving at an unprecedented rate and becoming increasingly important in diverse Australian industries. Recent research highlights that there is a major resources deficit (Deloitte 2020 - Australia needs to source one million digital workers by 2027) across Australia’s workforce.

The turnaround timeframe of the existing education system (principally the 3-year plus Bachelor’s Degree) is a significant time delay in providing appropriated skilled people for employers.

The VET sector is acknowledged as a key enabler for developing the skills needed to fill the resources gaps. DJPR is seeking to support the development of Victoria’s Digital Economy. This Bendigo Kangan initiative combines these ingredients to deliver timely and targeted solutions to the skills shortages.

The Digital Traineeship Pilot is an employer led new training model for educating and preparing course participants for practical undertakings in a digital workplace.

The training will take around 15 months to complete and is targeted at the specific skills required by the digital sector. It consists of two educational components which are the nationally accredited Certificate IV in IT (16 weeks) and Diploma of IT (9-12 Months) and will leverage Work Integrated Learning (WIL) structures.

For further details, please contact Carlo Meneguzzi, cmeneguzzi@kangan.edu.au or 0419 395 138.

Upcoming AEN Professional Development

Training

Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence

Our mindset has an enormous effect on how resourceful we are, and our ability to recognise and master our emotions is a crucial factor in building positive relationships with ourselves and others. Unlocking the power of mental and emotional intelligence gives us the ability to turn stumbling blocks into steppingstones and setbacks into comebacks.

This interactive workshop is designed to explore and harness the power of our mind and heart. Participants will walk away with effective tools and strategies to take ownership of their own thoughts and emotions, understand and positively influence others to succeed, and to be at their best in an ever-changing world.
Target Audience:
Field officers, managers, and team leaders
Date/Time/Delivery:
Wed 3 August 2022
9.00am - 1.00pm
Zoom
Cost:
Members: $80
Non Members: $120
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Apprentice Wellbeing & Lifeskills Coaching Program

Think differently about your Mental Health Action Plan. Empower apprentices with the skills they need to live a full and contributing life by assisting them to increase their ability to manage stress and anxiety, staving off depression and suicidal thoughts.

The workshop (offered on four different dates) aims to create awareness of the six most important human factor topics that have the biggest impact on an individual’s state of mind, while at the same time providing on-demand access to cohesive visual microlearning and digital resources (hosted on Moodle) that can be quickly and easily shared in formal toolbox talks and informal conversations to assist apprentices to stay well, while they are well, as part of an organisation’s broader and more traditional Health and Wellbeing strategy.
Target Audience:
Anyone with leadership responsibilities that influence the psychological safety of young and vulnerable people in their charge.
Dates/Time/Delivery:
Four dates are available:
* 10 August
* 8 September
* 5 October
* 8 November
10.00am - 2.00pm
In-person at AEN Office
Cost:
AEN Members only: Free




AEN Members: To register, please RSVP by logging into the Member’s area and select ‘Events & Media/Events Calendar’.
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Cultural Awareness & Recruitment - African Communities

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.
Target Audience:
Anyone with recruitment responsibilities of African apprentices/trainees.
Date/Time/Delivery:
Tuesday 6 September
9.30am - 12.30pm
In person at AEN Office
Cost:
Members: $50
Non-Members: $90
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Introduction to Industrial Relations

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.
Target Audience:
Payroll officers, field officers and anyone wanting to refresh their IR knowledge
Date/Time/Delivery:
Wednesday 14 September
10.00am - 12.30pm
In person at AEN Office

Friday 16 September
10.00am - 12.30pm
Online
Cost:
AEN Members only: Free

Upcoming PD in October

10 October - Youth Mental Health First Aid (Accredited)
18 October - Indigenous Cultural Recruitment
26 October - Supporting Apprentices with Disability

Registrations
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.

Enquiries: Anna Bejanoff, admin@aen.org.au or 03 9639 3955.

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program

Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program Logo
Out of Trade Banner
Since the program commenced in May 2020, a total of 910 participants have been supported with 820 currently in training:
  • 83.8% Male
  • 15.9% Female
The top three occupations are Electrical (231), Plumbing (167), and Carpentry (130).
Currently, there are 23 candidates on our active caseload:
  • Electrical - 6
  • Plumbing - 5
  • Carpentry - 4
  • Business - 3
  • Other - 5
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.

NCVER Update

Government-funded students and courses 2021
In 2021, a total of 1,250,100 students were enrolled in government-funded VET, an increase of 4.9% compared with 2020.

Students enrolled in nationally recognised training increased by 5.0% to 1,198,500 while those enrolled in non-nationally recognised training increased by 6.6% to 98,400.

For further information, please visit NCVER.
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.
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Thanks to our Industry Partners

aatis
ApprenticeshipSupportAustralia
AustralianApprenticeshipsPathways
AustralianSuper
VictorianChamberOfCommerceAndIndustry
WorkSight
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Marsh
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