Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 11, Issue 43

Friday, 23rd November 2018
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Watch this space for 2019 events.
Click here for all upcoming events.
Christmas Office Hours
Closes: 21 December 2018
Opens: 14 January 2019

AEN 2018 Annual Awards - Winners

APPRENTICE - Finalists
TRAINEE - Finalists

ATOA Apprentice of the Year - Sponsored by Australian Super

Katrina Palmer - Gforce - 5th Year Electrical & Instrumentation
Since commencing her apprenticeship in 2014, Katrina has been engaging with the community to promote women in trades. Her involvement with Geelong Women in Trades saw her assisting with planning a Cambodia trip to help Volunteer Building Cambodia to build a house for a poor rural family. Her recognitions include RMIT Best 1st Year Apprentice, RMIT Best 2nd Year Apprentice and the WorldSkills National and Regional level competitor for Electrical installation. Katrina believes being part of Geelong Women is Trades is helping her lead the way for more young women to begin a trade.

Trainee of the Year - Sponsored by VicSuper

Lucy Smeaton - AFL Sports Ready - Certificate III in Business
Lucy has brought an undeniable vibe to her host employer, Telstra, which has helped develop a great working atmosphere and culture. Lucy delivered a speech to Indigenous school girls at a large Telstra store describing her vulnerabilities when she first started her traineeship and the positive growth and development she has experienced since. Being a fulltime foster carer for her cousin’s two toddlers has not stopped Lucy being able to complete her traineeship. She was also nominated for AFLSR Trainee of the Year 2018 and was a Top 3 Finalist for Trainee of the Year at the Victorian Training Awards.

STAR Apprentice/Trainee OHS Award - Sponsored by EML

Brody Murphy - Gforce - Certificate III in Horticulture
In a very short time, Brody has changed the attitudes of many of his peers by setting and leading an excellent safety culture. He has taken the initiative to create his own personal safety bag and ensures each morning that his PPE safety bag is ready to go. Brody has accepted the responsibility of Werribee Park’s OHS Representative and is constantly checking that all staff and contractors on site are adhering to safety policies and procedures. Brody is not afraid to call out unsafe behaviour if required and ensures Werribee Parks work-centre health and well-being notice board is regularly checked and kept up to date.

GTO Service Excellence Award - Sponsored by MARSH

AGA - AGA SEAT Program
AGA have utilised the South East Automotive Transition (SEAT) program and the back to work funding to develop and apprenticeship model to eliminate the barriers to employing retrenched automotive workers into apprenticeships and traineeships across the South East region of Melbourne. AGA has worked with many employers such as North East Program Alliance (NEPA), BMW South Yarra, Subaru Australia, Local Government and a range of domestic based host employers to place mature aged apprentices and trainees. AGA has developed specific, specialised means and tools to assist the retrenched workers through the transition phase of their employment as well as implementing training to assist the staff involved, including Cultural Awareness Training and Mentoring Training.

Skillinvest - Jobs Victoria Indigenous Employment Program
Skillinvest has partnered with the Victorian State Government (Jobs Victoria) and Victoria Police and are committed to creating better understanding and communication between the Indigenous Community and Victoria Police by providing opportunities for secondary school students.
The Trainee program is a state-wide initiative in Victoria and opens opportunities for students to study a Certificate III in Business. Skillinvest trainees work with the Aboriginal community Liaison Officers employed by Victoria Police and well as Skillinvests own community liaison officers.
Due to students being spread across Victoria, Skillinvest have invested in training resources online for the students who mostly opt for a virtual classroom. All Skillinvest employees working with participants in these programs have undertaken Indigenous Culture training through Central Australian Remote Health Development Services Ltd and training is updated annually.

Westvic Staffing Solutions - Glenormiston Agriculture Employment Program
Westvic secured State Government funding to provide support the to dairy industry in South West Victoria while it faced economic challenges by employing a minimum of ten dairy trainees and manage their training at Glenormiston Agriculture College. As a result of fires within the South West area Victoria, several of Westvic’s host employers farms have been effected. Westvic provided support and mentoring to their effected trainees. This program has allowed for training to recommence at South West Tafe’s Glenormiston campus which was dormient for some time due to lack of student numbers. The return of training to Glenormiston College has been a positive step for the region and the Agriculture community and students now have access to a first-class facility where they can apply their skills and further their training.

Victorian Group Training - Speak Up
As a GTO conducting regular site visits with their employees and host employers, VGT identified a trend with young workers often not being comfortable to communicate various issues with their Host Employers, despite constant encouragement to do so. The “Speak Up” app was designed in collaboration with various professionals and a group of young employees. Approximately 100 man-hours collectively have been invested in this platform for young and vulnerable workers to ‘Speak Up’ in the workplace. The aim of Speak Up is to encourage workers to communicate with their employer in a safe environment about workplace health and safety, mental health and general well-being either identified or anonymously.

Lifetime Achievement Award


Frederick Maddern OBE
Having a wide-ranging career, Frederick Maddern has held significant roles with numerous government and community organisations, including Councillor and Mayor of the City of Footscray, President of the Municipal Association of Victoria and President of the Australian Local Government Association. In 1983, Mr Maddern worked with the board of the WRC (Western Region Commission) to develop the first community based GTO established in Victoria. In 2007, the GTO’s name was changed to WPC Group and as Chairman, Mr Maddern recognised that group training needed to adapt to the changing environment whilst keeping focus on traineeships and apprenticeships and is still Chairman of WPC Group today. Mr Maddern also chairs the Skilling Australia Foundation, set up in 2012, to bridge the gap between unemployment and a meaningful career for disadvantaged young Australians.

Hon. Alan Brown AM
Hon. Alan Brown AM started his working career in a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship which he credits as pivotal to his success in business. When he joined IntoWork Australia in 2000, the company operated only in Melbourne and employed a total of 391 apprentices and trainees. Under the leadership of Alan Brown, by mid 2018 IntoWork operates through 11 companies across the country employing over 1,500 apprentices and trainees. Mr Brown has used his own substantial personal connections to raise the priority of the VET sector with senior Departmental officials and Government Ministers at both a federal and state level. His foresight, strategic approach and focus on collaboration has enabled 5 GTO’s nationally (including 2 in Victoria) to expand and thrive in what has often been quite challenging circumstances for this sector.

Congratulations to all finalists and winners.

Please visit the AEN website for more information and photos.

New Executive Officer for the National Group Training Association

The Chair of the National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) Mr John Liddicoat earlier this week announced the appointment of Ms Dianne Dayhew as the organisation’s new National Executive Officer.

Ms Dayhew is the former Executive Officer of the SkillsIQ NSW Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB), which provides expert industry advice to government in the areas of travel, tourism and hospitality, sport, fitness and recreation, retail and personal services and wholesale

“Dianne is a well-regarded professional with more than 20 years of experience in the VET sector, who has worked in regulated high-risk trades, services industries and creative sectors, as well as in group training operations,” Mr Liddicoat said.

“We are delighted that Dianne will be joining NAEN and steering the organisation at an important time for the future of vocational education and apprenticeships,” he said.

Ms Dayhew succeeds Ms Lauren Tiltman who stepped down in September and is moving to the UK. Ms Dayhew commences in the role this week.

AEN welcomes Dianne into the network and we look forward to working with her.

The Future of Work is What We Make It: Submissions Open for the National Youth Commission Inquiry into Youth Employment and Transitions

Last week, the National Youth Commission Inquiry into Youth Employment and Transitions officially
launched, signalling the beginning of a two year nationwide inquiry into the state of play for
young people preparing for and entering the rapidly changing labour market.

Modelled on a rigorous official inquiry in all aspects but without government control of the process
or the outcomes, the Commission is a unique collective process whereby young people and
community members, business leaders and other stakeholders will bring forward detailed solutions
to challenging national issues.

NYC Executive Officer, Keith Waters explains that the Commission will activate community, industry
and policy makers to make real reforms that will ensure young people are equipped to participate in
the future economy.

For further information please visit NYC.

Back 2 Basics – New National Resource

B2B
Back 2 Basics is an easy-to-read guide that simply explains the Australian VET system.

It includes quick facts, clear information and links to key resources, websites and related topics.

It’s a great starting point for potential VET students, as well as for people in the sector.

You can find the guide on the My Skills website.

NCVER Update

NCVER is delighted to co-host the 28th National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference 'No Frills' with TAFE SA in Adelaide on 10-12 July 2019.

'No Frills' is a well-known annual national conference where researchers, practitioners, providers and industry representatives come together and share knowledge, ideas, insights and solutions surrounding Australia’s VET sector.

The conference also provides valuable professional development opportunities through a program of hands-on pre-conference workshops incorporating activities on data and research analytics, and research practice.

The 2019 conference program will focus on The Student Journey: Skilling for Life.

NCVER now invite abstracts for presentations and poster sessions for the 2019 conference (due 18 February 2019).

For further information please visit NCVER - No Frills.

Have your say about NCVER's products and services

NCVER's are keen to explore new and innovative opportunities to improve the way they serve their customers and stakeholders and are interested to hear your feedback and opinions, both on what they are doing well, and how they can improve, so they can better meet your VET sector information needs.

We encourage you to complete the 10-minute survey and share your views on the products, services and communications NCVER deliver.

Don’t miss the opportunity to have your say: take the survey now before it closes on Sunday 25 November 2018.

AFL SportsReady Creates New Videos for Schools

AFL SportsReady has created a new video promoting the benefits of VET to school kids who want a career in sport.

The video features a number of people who are working in the industry and undertook a VET qualification to secure their dream job.

This includes the CEO of the St Kilda Football Club, Matt Finnis, who decided to leave his arts degree at university and pursue his passion through an AFL SportsReady traineeship.

“I’ve got no doubt that doing an AFL SportsReady traineeship all those years ago led me to where I am today,” says Matt.

“We all need really strong foundations to be able to grow and develop, and a traineeship provided me with that great base upon which I built my career.”

You can view the video here.

Jump for Bully Zero - Fundraising

BullyZero - Skydiving
As an organisation that receives no government funding, Bully Zero are reliant on the generosity of their supporters to raise vital awareness and funds.

These funds ensure that Bully Zero can deliver their educational programs across all parts of Australia, educating students, parents, teachers, apprentices / trainees, employers and the wider community on how to prevent bullying.

Help us throw Gary Workman out of a plane for a good cause!


Now many of you would also like to throw a Collingwood supporter out of a plane – so here is your chance to do both – support a great cause and see Gary jump out of a plane on 15 December.

As at 9am on Friday this week you have helped raise over $1500. Thank you to everyone that has supported the fundraising effort so far.

To view the fundraising page and to donate please visit My Cause - Gary Workman.

Thanks for your support in this fantastic cause – it is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to our Industry Partners

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