Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 12, Issue 10

Friday, 29th March 2019
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Upcoming Events

10 Apr - OHS Network Meeting
8 May - Mental Health in the Workplace
21 May - Conflict Resolution
Click here for all upcoming events.

Global Campaign SkillingNow – Launched in Geneva

SkillingNowLogo
On Thursday afternoon, the global SkillingNow campaign was launched at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva Switzerland. The 9 month global interactive communications campaign aims to deep-dive into a selection of pressing topics linked with work-based learning that are essential for bridging the skills gap and creating a skilled workforce for the future of good work.

The three topics we will explore throughout the year are lifelong learning; Return on Investment (ROI) and small and big business collaboration on skilling. For each topic, we will engage with broader audiences through thought pieces, podcasts, twitter summits, Instagram, and more.

The campaign aims are to:

• Raise awareness about work-based learning as a way to enable communities, people, and businesses to successfully build the skills that will be needed by the workforce of tomorrow, and to thrive;
• Spark and facilitate discussion on critical topics related to work-based learning and bridging the skills gap;
• Showcase and link the work of GAN Members and Networks and our campaign partners on skilling and highlight how this work contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

GAN unveiled the first theme and action points at the campaign launch on 28 March, during the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Governing Body.

Over the next 9 months we invite you to exchange your views with us and take part in the debate for SkillingNow.

The campaign will end in early December in Australia.

The GAN has been delighted to work with the Steering Committee of GAN members and partners to develop the campaign: Accenture, Nestlé, the Society for Human Resources and Management (SHRM), Zurich, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the International Organisation of Labour (ILO) and GAN networks including Australia.

For more information and regular updates, please visit GAN Global.

Further details on specific Australian activities will be available shortly.

NCVER Update

Generation Z – Life at 17 Report

Around 60% of 17-year-old Australians have a job while at school, according to new data released this week by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). Many 17-year-old school students are also part of the new gig economy, with 8% undertaking ‘gig work’ like online tasks, babysitting and cleaning.

Generation Z: Life at 17 uses data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) to provide a snapshot of 17-year-old Australians’ study, work, and living arrangements in 2017, as they acquire the skills and experience they need to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

“The wealth of information provided by these young Australians via the LSAY program helps us to understand more about the key events in their lives,” said Mr Simon Walker, Managing Director, NCVER.

“For example, around eighty percent of 17-year-olds reported still being in school in 2017, and around thirty percent of year eleven and twelve students had studied vocational education and training subjects in year 11 and 12.”

View the Generation Z: Life at 17 infographic on the LSAY website.

For further information and to access the full report please visit NCVER.

JobActive and Other Employment Programs Extended

JobActiveLogo
Last week the federal government announced an extension of the current Jobactive contract and supporting programs until June 2022.

A summary of Minister Kelly O’Dwyer’s speech delivered at the recent Jobactive CEO’s conference outlines the announcements below;

Transformational change

The changes being proposed are significant. In fact, they are the most significant transformation of employment services for 20 years.

The vision is ambitious, but it is also achievable.

Given the scale of change being proposed, it is important that time and care is taken to get it right.

It is also worth noting that this particular government outlay is one of the largest procurements outside of the defence portfolio.

With this imperative, Minister O'Dwyer's has announced that they will be testing key elements of the new model in two regions from July this year before implementing a new model on a national scale.

Whilst they do this, all current Jobactive contracts, which were due to expire in June of next year, will be extended until 30 June 2022.

Complementary Jobactive programs will also be extended until 30 June 2022.

These include:
  • The Employment Fund
  • Wage Subsidies
  • New Business Assistance with NEIS
  • Career Transition Assistance
  • Transition To Work
  • Work for the Dole
  • PaTH Employability Skills Training and Internships
  • Launch into Work, and
  • The Online Employment Services Trial
Licensing framework to increase competition

Finally, they will deliver a more contestable, flexible and diverse market, making it easier for employment services providers to enter and exit the system.

They know that providers are pivotal to the success of any employment services system and play a vital role in helping disadvantaged job seekers find work. Many providers have strong connections with employers and other local stakeholders that are particularly useful in creating a pathway to work for disadvantaged job seekers.

The Federal government want to be able to continue to reward excellence.

But also don’t want to spend finite taxpayer resources on services which are not delivering for job seekers and employers.

Under the new model, a licensing framework, and a tough new performance regime, will drive better outcomes and ensure providers are better meeting the needs of users.

Providers who do not meet these standards will not have their licenses renewed.

For further information please visit the Jobactive CEO Forum.

Extension for New Trainer and Assessor Credential Requirements To 1 July 2019

RealSkillsForRealCareers
Updated credential requirements for trainers and assessors set out in the Standards for RTOs 2015 were due to take effect on 1 April 2019, bringing the requirements in line with 2016 changes to the Training and Education Training Package.

Recent feedback from the VET sector indicated that a number of trainers and assessors were still undertaking gap training and may not have met the new requirements for 1 April 2019.

In response to this feedback, Skills Ministers agreed to delay the introduction of these requirements to 1 July 2019, so that trainers and assessors can continue to train while undertaking gap training for a further three months. The Standards for RTOs are being amended accordingly.

Please note that no further extensions to the new credential requirements will be made.

Those who hold a diploma or higher level qualification in adult education may not need to undertake any further gap training to meet the requirements.

RTO trainers and assessors are responsible for confirming current skills and relevant industry skills and experience.

Information on the current trainer and assessor credential requirements is available from the VET regulators at:
Further information about new trainer and assessor credential requirements that apply from 1 July 2019, is available at here.

Additional queries may be directed to the Australian Government Department of Education and Training by emailing VETassessment@education.gov.au.

Victorian Trade Papers

The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) has reintroduced trade papers at the direction of the Minister for Training and Skills, the Hon. Gayle Tierney MP.

A trade paper is a certificate issued by the VRQA that recognises the completion of an apprenticeship.

Apprentices who started their apprenticeship after 1 January 1995 are eligible for a free trade paper.

To apply for a trade paper, apprentices complete an application through an online portal which is provided by VETASSESS.

To learn more and access the portal, please visit the VRQA.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Apprenticeship Administrative Unit at vrqa.apprenticeships@edumail.vic.gov.au or on 1300 722 603.

ABS February Employment Trend Data

Last week the ABS released the February employment trend data.

National TREND ESTIMATES

Australia's trend employment estimate increased by 20,600 persons in February 2019, with:
  • the number of unemployed persons increasing by 1,800 persons;
  • the unemployment rate remaining steady at 5.0%;
  • the underemployment rate decreasing less than 0.1 percentage points (pts) to 8.1%;
  • the underutilisation rate decreasing less than 0.1 pts to 13.1%;
  • the participation rate remaining steady at 65.6%; and
  • the employment to population ratio remaining steady at 62.4%.

Over the past year, trend employment increased by 290,700 persons (or 2.3%), which was above the average annual growth rate over the past 20 years of 2.0%. Over the same 12 month period the trend employment to population ratio (measure of how employed the population aged 15 years and over is) increased by 0.4 pts to 62.4%.

Victoria and other States/Territories Trend Estimates

In February 2019, increases in trend employment were observed in all states and territories except Western Australia (down 1,600 persons) and South Australia (down 200 persons). The largest increases were in New South Wales (up 8,800 persons), followed by Victoria (up 8,300 persons) and Queensland (up 4,100 persons).

Over the past year, employment rates have increased in all states except Tasmania (down 1,100 persons), the Northern Territory (down 4,200 persons) and the Australian Capital Territory (down 2,800 persons). The largest increases were in New South Wales (up 125,600 persons), Victoria (up 123,300 persons) and Queensland (up 30,600 persons).

The highest annual employment growth rates were in Victoria at 3.8%, followed by New South Wales at 3.2% and Queensland at 1.2%. New South Wales and Victoria were the only states to have a year-on-year growth rate in trend employment above their 20 year average.

For further information please visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

WGEA Release Gender Equity Report 2019

GenderEquityInsights2019
Earlier this week the Workplace Gender Equality Agency release a new report that explores gender pay gaps across occupations and industry sectors covering more than 4.1 million employees in Australia.

It examines the role of workplace environments and policy initiatives in improving the representation of women in the workforce and in narrowing the gender pay gap.

For more information please visit the Australian Government - Workplace Gender.

Future Ready: A Student-Focused National Career Education Strategy


On 13 February 2019, Minister for Education the Hon Dan Tehan MP, launched Future Ready: A student-focused National Career Education Strategy.
FutureReadyCareerEduLOGO
At the launch, the Minister said that young people will need to have transferable skills to equip them for success in the modern world. He also said young people will need to know what to study, so they can learn the skills that will be in demand to match their ambitions.

To help young people transition to a successful life beyond school, Future Ready focuses on the importance of:
  • building transferable skills and general capabilities
  • strengthening school and employer collaboration
  • developing students' career management and navigation skills.
The vision of Future Ready is that every student in every school will have access to high-quality career education and that everyone has a role to play.

For more information about the initiative, visit Australian Government Department of Education and Training.

Nominations Open For 65th Victorian Training Awards

65th Victorian Training Awards
Apprentices, students, teachers, employers and training providers can now nominate for the 65th Victorian Training Awards.

Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education, Gayle Tierney, has opened nominations for the awards this week, which recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in the Victorian TAFE and training sector.

“The Victorian Training Awards don’t just celebrate success—they inspire it.”

“This is your opportunity to nominate an outstanding individual or organisation in the VET sector that deserves extra recognition.”

There are 16 categories including six for individuals, four for employers, four for training organisations as well as an Industry Collaboration Award and the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Winners will be announced at the Victorian Training Awards gala ceremony in Melbourne in September, with winners receiving $5000 in prize money.

Some winners will also have the opportunity to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards in Brisbane in November.

For further information please visit Victorian Training Awards.

To nominate for the 2019 Victorian Training Awards visit the Award Nominations & Registration page.

Applications close at midnight on Friday 3 May.

Upcoming AEN Events


April
10 - OHS Network Meeting

May
8 - Mental Health in the Workplace
21 - Conflict Resolution
29 - Developing Creativity

Field Officers Conference 2018

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