Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 15, Issue 24

Friday, 29th July 2022
Hi Reader!

Upcoming Events

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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 - Postponed

2022 GAN Future of Apprenticeships Banner
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.

R U OK? Day

R U OK Day Banner
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.

NECA Open Day

NECA Open Day
Discover Traineeships and Electrical Apprenticeships
  • Hear presentations by our apprenticeship and traineeship experts
  • Test your aptitude for electrical with the NECA Pre-Selection Assessment
  • Tour our specialised electrical classrooms
  • Try virtual reality programs developed for our apprentices
  • Test your skills at the Middy's Wiring Competition stand and WIN prizes
  • See Middy's No 14 - V8 Supercar on display and Millwaukee Power Tools
  • Fuel up at free food stands
Find your future at the NECA Education & Careers Open Day 2022.

Creation of Jobs and Skills Australia

An independent skills and training body to help strengthen the economy is a step closer to being established, after legislation was introduced in the lower house earlier this week.

The Jobs and Skills Australia Skills Minister, Brendan O'Connor, introduced the new government's first bill to the parliament on Wednesday.

"The advice of Jobs and Skills Australia will help build a bigger, better trained workforce and a more productive economy," he said. "We understand work isn't just about your pay packet; with work comes purpose and identity."

"A skilled workforce is also a more productive workforce. Learning new skills, acquiring knowledge and cultivating innovation is key to opportunity, wage growth and job security for workers and to productivity and revenue for industry."

The legislation establishes an interim Jobs and Skills Australia director to lead the body as it sets up. Jobs and Skills Australia will sit within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. The agency will also consider the outcomes resulting from the Jobs and Skills Summit in September.

For further information please visit Jobs and Skills Australia | Ministers' Media Centre.

Worksafe Victoria

Worker deaths prompt truck safety reminder!

WorkSafe is reminding employers and workers of the hazards involved in working around trucks after four workers died in separate incidents in the past two months.

WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Narelle Beer urged employers to check their safety processes and do everything they could to reduce hazards around loading and unloading trucks.

"Whether trucks are making deliveries to a construction site, on a farm, or maneuvering around a depot, wherever trucks are operating employers must take all reasonable steps to maintain a safe workplace," Dr Beer said.

“The risks of becoming trapped, being crushed or falling from heights need to be taken very seriously. We’ve also seen a number of incidents where workplaces did not have adequate traffic management plans in place to reduce the risks from moving trucks, plant or nearby traffic, resulting in serious injuries."

Employers using or working around trucks should ensure:
  • A traffic management plan is in place for pedestrians and mobile plant and that it is reviewed and updated as appropriate.
  • An effective communication system between operators, transport contractors and ground staff is in place.
  • Machinery and vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained by a suitably qualified person.
  • Visibility issues are identified and controlled, particularly if lighting is poor.
  • Workers operating loading and unloading equipment have the appropriate high risk work licences, as required.
  • Signage is in place and barriers are erected where appropriate.
  • Drivers are aware of the proximity of powerlines.
For information about managing the risks associated with tip trucks and trailers, flat bed trucks or transport, logistics and warehousing safety, Visit WorkSafe Victoria.

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.'
national skills week
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.

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:

14th and 15th September 2022
APAC Logo
While gaining new connections across APAC TVET, visitors will gain insight on hot topics including sustainable practices, digital learning and micro-credentials.

Join global leaders for this two day immersive virtual event.

Upcoming AEN Professional Development

Training
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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.

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.

ACNC New Acting Commissioner and Current Review

Australian Tax Office (ATO) deputy commissioner for small business, Deborah Jenkins, is the new acting commissioner of The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

ACNC Assistant Commissioner Ms Anna Longley welcomed the appointment saying, “Everyone at the ACNC looks forward to welcoming Ms Jenkins on August 1, and working closely with her throughout her time here.”

Current review of the ACNC
The existing Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission Regulation 2013, which outline the requirements of the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Register, the governance standards and external conduct standards applying to charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission and requirements for registered charities’ annual financial reports, are scheduled to automatically sunset on 1 April 2023.

The draft Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission Regulations 2022 (the ‘draft Regulations’) propose to remake the Regulations, with minimal changes to the substantive requirements and inclusions.

The changes made by the draft Regulations are minor amendments to reflect current drafting practice, improve clarity, and to remove provisions, such as transitional reporting arrangements, that are no longer required.

The community’s views are sought on the draft Regulations and Explanatory Statement.

Interested parties are invited to comment and can submit responses to this consultation up until 15 August 2022.

NCVER Update

The latest NCVER data show that there were 349,235 apprentices and trainees in-training as at 31 December 2021, 16.8% higher than at the same time in 2020 and only slightly lower than at the end of the September quarter 2021.

Trade occupation numbers were up 12.0% to 216,265 in-training as at 31 December 2021, while numbers in non-trade occupations were up 25.3% to 132,905. The increase was largely a result of the Australian Government’s Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy.

While the number of commencements in the December quarter 2021 is down 32.2% from the December quarter 2020, it is still considerably higher than the same quarters in 2017, 2018 and 2019 before the onset of the pandemic.
NCVER Data
Overall commencements in trade and non-trade occupations were down 31.1% and 32.9% respectively from the December quarter 2020. The industry sectors with largest absolute decreases were Construction (36.7%), Manufacturing (48.5%) and Accommodation (28.4%).
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
SafetyFirst

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