Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 12, Issue 6

Friday, 1st March 2019
Hi Reader!
1457023190_Calendar

Upcoming Events

4 Mar - GTO Forum
4 Mar - Annual Apprenticeship Luncheon
4 Mar - GTO Managers Meeting
6 Mar - Goal Setting (PD Session)
Click here for all upcoming events.

AEN Apprenticeship Luncheon - Registrations Closed

AEN 2019 Luncheon Banner
This year’s theme is - Better engagement with industry to improve youth employment

At this event, guests will hear from the Victorian Government on the Victorian VET system and industry leaders as they discuss their views on how Apprenticeships and Traineeships are being utilised globally as a solution to youth unemployment as well as meeting future employer workforce needs.
  • Showcasing the Victorian Apprenticeship system
  • Highlighting how large employers can utilise the apprenticeship system for workforce planning and future needs
  • Improving engagement with Industry and the wider community

Event Details

Monday 4 March 2019

12.00pm - 2.00pm

Sheraton Hotel
27 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Program

12.00pm Welcome & Registration
12.30pm Entree
12.40pm Government Address
1.15pm Lunch
1.30pm Launch of GAN Australia
The Adecco Group, Nestle
& Zurich
2.00pm Event Close
Registrations have now closed. We look forward to seeing you Monday.

2019 AEN Event Dates

March
4th - GTO Forum 10am - 11.30am

4th - Apprenticeship Luncheon 12pm - 2pm

4th - GTO Managers Meeting 2pm - 4.30pm

6th - Goal Setting & Getting Things Done

19th - Managing Difficult Conversations


New RSVP Process

All registrations/RSVP are now completed via the AEN website.

Individuals may RSVP to an event or workshop by simply logging in and visiting the AEN Calendar.

If you do not have a login, you can register your account here using your organisation email address.

Best Practice Guidelines – Youth Career Programs

The Youth Career Program Best Practice Guide has been developed from the experiences of the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN), Group Training Organisations (GTOs), Youth, Schools and Employers who have been involved in over 170 “multi industry” pilot programs during 2016-18.

These programs trialled various themes in industries supporting Apprenticeships and Traineeships including;
  • Engineering and Automotive
  • Building and Construction
  • Land, Food and Fibre
  • Business and Community Care Services.
Best Practice Guide Youth Career Programs Nov 2018 - Cover
Programs were developed to address issues including:
  • Assisting youth in making better informed career choices
  • Providing work ready candidates and recruitment support for Small to Medium Enterprises (SME’s)
  • Improving non completion rates in Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Current data indicates that 42% of Apprentices and Trainees do not complete their contract of training and almost 30% cancel within the first 12 months. There are undoubtedly many reasons why an individual fails to complete their apprenticeship, however high levels of non-completion or attrition, especially within the first 12 months, indicate that many young people make the “wrong choice” at the beginning of their journey.

The programs trialled various methods to support participants through a range of industry experiences to assist young people make a more informed choice into further study or employment pathways in vocational (apprenticeship) industries.
Key aspects of the programs included:
  • Hands-on experience and knowledge sharing in multiple industries and occupations
  • Collaborative relationships between program stakeholders of youth career pathway
  • Supporting youth to make informed decisions to enter a vocational career pathway and to gain and complete an apprenticeship or traineeship for those who choose this pathway
  • Exploring 3-4 trade/industry areas and understanding the career needs in regards to:
    • Numeracy, language and literacy skills
    • Workplace readiness - understanding employer expectations
    • Sustainability and environmental requirements of particular industries
    • Legal requirements of working in particular industries
    • Business processes, project management and communication skills
    • New and emerging technology for particular industries
    • Career and further study pathways available in different industries.
Program measures included:
  • Young adults’ knowledge of apprenticeship/ traineeship and industries of theme at entry and exit of project
  • Participants’ assessment of value of various elements
  • Assistance for participant’s career decisions
  • Work experience host employers’ view of individual work and industry readiness, attitude and aptitude
  • Work experience host employers’ view of the value of, and experience needed, to host work experience
Over 50% of participants found their career of interest is now different to what they previously thought.
AEN Best Practice Guide Flowchart
AEN has produced a Best Practice Guide that covers a range of topics to support local stakeholders to continue to work with each other to support local youth into apprenticeship pathways.

To access a free copy of the best practice guideline or to read an overview of the programs results between 2016-2018 please visit the AEN Website.

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.

Kangan Institute Awards

Last night Kangan Institute held their Annual Apprentice & Industry Awards.

With many awards presented on the night it was a great showcase of many young apprentices excelling in their chosen field.
Kangan Institute Awards

Congratulations!

2018 Apprentice of the Year

WINNER

Emily Waras

Apprentice of the Year - Category Winners
Automotive: Kate Kesper
Construction: Joshua Walker
Engineering: David Sammut
Electrical: Emily Waras

Landscape Construction: Adrian Talarico
Commercial Cookery: Caitlyn Delaney
Bakery: Deepak Sharma
Hairdressing: Caroline Daoud
Congratulations to all the apprentices and award winners.

Victoria’s First Ever Labour Hire Licensing Scheme

Victoria’s first ever Labour Hire Licensing Scheme, which protects workers and cracks down on dodgy operators, will come into force on 29 April – with contractors given six months to sign up or else face significant penalties.

Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas said on Thursday this week that the scheme will bring a new level of integrity and scrutiny to the labour hire sector and ensure vulnerable workers are kept safe from exploitation and being underpaid.

The scheme is in response to the independent Victorian Inquiry into the Labour Hire Industry and Insecure Work – a key election promise – which uncovered widespread abuse and exploitation of workers across Victoria.

Under the scheme, providers of labour hire services will be required to hold a licence and hosts will only be allowed to use licensed providers.

To obtain a licence, providers will be required to pass a “fit and proper person test” and show compliance with workplace laws, labour hire laws and minimum accommodation standards, as well as report annually on their activities.

Host employers that use unlicensed providers face fines of up to $500,000.

The AEN looks forward to working with the new commissioner’s office to finalise the process for nationally recognised Group Training Organisations over the coming weeks.

For further information please visit the Labour Hire Authority.

Having Trouble Finding Quality Candidates or Apprenticeships?

RMIT University's Skills and Job Centre can assist with recruitment solutions.

RMIT has an increased number of student enrolments in the pre-apprenticeship programs, therefore can offer a large pool of candidates for apprenticeship opportunities.

The SJC can also assist with pre-selection recruitment.

RMIT can provide on-boarding support:
  • Advertising jobs to students
  • Short listing candidates
  • Pre-screen interviewing
  • Providing the best candidates for final interviews
For more information please contact:
Debbie Reynolds, Director - Industry Initiatives & Engagement
School of Vocational Engineering, Health & Science
Email: Debbie.Reynolds@rmit.edu.au
Phone: 0419 259 628

WGEA - Focus on Flexible Work, Parental Leave and Women in Leadership

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) this week announced the list of 2018-19 WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation holders.

A record 141 organisations have received the citation this year, which recognises employer commitment and best practice in promoting gender equality in Australian workplaces.

There are 26 first-time recipients including the first-ever national sporting organisation: the Australian Football League.

WGEA Director Libby Lyons said that the growth in the recipients showed increasing recognition by Australian employers that gender equality is not just good for business but gives organisations a competitive advantage.

Trends among this year’s recipients include:
  • entrenching flexible work across the organisation
  • programs to support women into leadership
  • tailored parental leave policies to support both women and men
  • initiatives to encourage women to return to work after a career break
  • supporting men’s caring responsibilities
  • setting targets to achieve gender-equal graduate recruitment intakes
  • robust analysis and correction of gender pay gaps
“More organisations are introducing strategies and policies to ensure women and men are equally valued and rewarded in their workplaces. Gender equality has become an important focus for Australian employers,” Ms Lyons said.

“However, we also know that policies and strategies cannot just live on paper. They have to be implemented. Targets need to be set, outcomes monitored and managers, executives and boards made accountable for the results.”

“Our EOCGE citation does not signify that these employers have solved all of their gender equality issues. Rather, it recognises that they have embraced a rigorous and detailed programme to transform their workplaces. These leading employers know the importance of achieving gender equality for their employees and for their business and are implementing leading-practice measures to do so.”

This year’s citation holders range from small professional services firms to very large organisations.

Male-dominated, female-dominated and mixed industries are all represented.

“Each year, I am delighted to see the innovative approaches taken by our citation holders in implementing actions and programmes that we know drives change."

“I congratulate all of our 2018-19 EOCGE citation holders for being such important agents for change. They are leading the way forward for other Australian employers to follow,” said Ms Lyons.

For further information and to read the Media Release please visit Australian Government - Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

NCVER – National VET Workforce Survey

The first survey of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) workforce will launch in March 2019.

This Australia-wide survey of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) will provide a better picture of how many people are working in the VET sector to help with future planning and to better support the VET workforce.

Selected RTOs are invited to complete the survey, so keep an eye out for your invitation!

Survey details


Who is conducting the survey?
NCVER and Ipsos are conducting the survey on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.

The survey is supported by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and the Western Australian Training Accreditation Council (TAC).

What do they want to know?
The survey collects information from RTOs on the number of staff they employ, their employees' roles, employment status and the qualifications they hold that are relevant to their jobs along with training delivery methods and locations.

How long will the survey take?
An average of 10 minutes to complete.

How will RTOs be selected?
RTOs have been selected to provide representative samples according to size.

How do I complete the survey?
You complete the survey online. A link will be emailed to you with your survey invitation.

Who should complete the survey?
The survey is best answered by someone with detailed knowledge of staff within your organisation.

What is the aim of the survey?
The survey will provide a picture of the VET workforce, included qualifications and work roles along with information to assist in planning for the future.

Is the information confidential?
Yes.

All information provided will remain confidential and only summary information of the main results will be reported.

No individual RTO will be identified in any data or reporting and the information will not be used for any other purpose.

NCVER operates in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.

Please refer to the privacy notice for more details about your information and how it will be managed and protected.

For further information please visit the NCVER.

MEGT Announce Retirement of David Windridge

MEGT’s Board of Directors has announced that David Windridge is retiring and will commence long service leave early June, with a final retirement date in January 2020.

David has served as CEO & Executive Director for over 27 years after first joining MEGT in 1992 and has led the company through a period of enormous change including national and international expansion.

He has overseen MEGT’s growth from a small local GTO, to a national GTO and ANP.

David will leave MEGT (Australia) Ltd in a very strong position and we sincerely thank him for his contribution and leadership during his tenure as CEO.

The Board, following consultation with the executive, will officially announce the new arrangements prior to end of the financial year; subsequently any interim updates will be circulated to staff.

"I would like to thank David once again for his exceptional contribution as CEO at MEGT. He's shown himself to be a transformational leader and skilled industry executive, working collaboratively with the Board and Executive team to deliver against the company’s strategic goals. David’s focus and our dedicated employees has enabled MEGT to deliver to our apprentices, trainees and students the best training and education experience available.”

AEN would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate David for his outstanding contribution and support of the Victorian Group Training network and to wish him the very best with the next stage of his life.

David was awarded a Fellowship (life member) of the association in 2008.

VDC Teaching & Learning Conference 2019

VDC Conference 2019
The Vet Development Centre (VDC) welcomes registrations to the 14th Annual VDC 2019 Teaching and Learning Conference.

The theme of this year’s conference is how to Inspire, Trust and Educate for the benefit of others.

The conference program has been revamped and extended to two full days to include more interactive workshops facilitated by high-profile keynote presenters. This provides attendees with the opportunity to attend more concurrent workshops over the two days and interact with all keynote presenters more intimately, by exploring their keynote concepts in a workshop format.

The conference is being held at the RACV Torquay Resort on 16 & 17 May 2019.

For more information and to register, please visit the VDC website.

Latest Employment Trends for January 2019

This week the ABS labour force released the latest employment trends for January 2019.

State and Territory Estimates
In January 2019, increases in trend employment were observed in most states and territories except Western Australia (down 1,700 persons),Tasmania (down 300 persons) and South Australia (down 200 persons). The largest increases were in New South Wales (up 11,200 persons), followed by Victoria (up 10,300 persons) and Queensland (up 3,500 persons).

Over the past year, increases in employment were observed in all states except Tasmania (down 1,400 persons). Both territories recorded falls in employment (the Northern Territory down 2,500 persons and the Australian Capital Territory down 2,300 persons). The largest increases were in New South Wales (up 133,900 persons), Victoria (up 118,800 persons) and Queensland (up 27,800 persons). The highest annual employment growth rates were in Victoria at 3.7%, followed by New South Wales at 3.4% and Queensland at 1.1%. 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.
Unemployment Trend Graph
The monthly trend unemployment rate increased by 0.1pts in WA (6.6%) and TAS (6.2%).
It increased by less than 0.1pts in SA (6.0%) and the NT (5.0%).
It remained unchanged in VIC (4.5%) and the ACT (3.5%).
It decreased by 0.1pts in NSW (4.1%) and less than 0.1pts in QLD (6.1%).
Youth (under 24 years.) unemployment nationally is at 11.4%.

For further information please visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Thanks to our Industry Partners

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