Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 12, Issue 28

Friday, 2nd August 2019
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Upcoming Events


13 August - QA Standards Network
22-23 August - Field Officer Conference
4 September - Managing Competency Based Training
Click here for all upcoming events.

Field Officers Conference – Early Bird Tickets Close Today!

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Online registrations for our upcoming field officers conference are open.

This year’s conference is being held on 22 & 23 August at the Oaks in Melbourne.

The event will showcase a range of speakers and interactive workshops that will assist field officers in their complex day-to-day activities.

Presentations will include:
  • Carl Walsh - GTO Update
  • Department of Employment - Job Market Update
  • GTO Forum on Managing Difficult Situations & Day to Day Challenges
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing Workshop
  • Women in Trades Workshop
  • AATIS
  • AEN & SafetyFirst Update
Early bird registrations close today, Friday 2 August.

Register for the conference at the AEN website.

Victorian Labour Hire Scheme Registrations

Labour hire providers have less than three months to obtain a licence or else face significant penalties.

The Victorian Government is implementing the scheme to bring a new level of integrity and scrutiny to the labour hire industry and keep workers safe and free from exploitation.

The independent Victorian Inquiry into the Labour Hire Industry and Insecure Work – a key election promise – uncovered widespread abuse, underpayment and exploitation in the sector, which includes commercial cleaners, fruit pickers and meat workers.

The Authority has held more than 30 information sessions since March to help providers understand their obligations.

The sessions have involved industries such as security, cleaning, meat processing, fruit and vegetable harvesting and processing, vocational training, finance, consulting and IT, healthcare, manufacturing, accommodation, construction and transport.

A further public information campaign to inform both contractors and the host businesses who use labour hire workers will begin this week.

To obtain a licence, contractors including GTOs will be required to pass a “fit and proper person test” and show compliance with workplace laws, labour hire laws and minimum accommodation standards.
They will also need to report annually on their activities.

Host employers that use unlicensed providers face maximum fines of more than $500,000.
Also please note the registrations are annual and will need to be renewed at the date of initial registration approval.

To operate legally in Victoria from 30 October 2019, labour hire providers must have applied for, or have a labour hire licence.

For more information and to apply for a licence today visit the Labour Hire Authority.

National Skills Week 2019: August 26th – September 1 2019

National Skills Week is the focal point for the promotion of Australia’s Vocational Education and Training sector (VET).

Each year the week continues to celebrate and inform students and the wider public of the diversity and career pathways available through VET.

The week communicates the emerging trends and new growth drivers connecting skills training with job outcomes.

National Skills Week 2019 will extend the message by continuing to adopt Real Skills for Real Careers as the theme for 2019.

Keep an eye on National Skills Week website and stay up to date on the latest information on upcoming events for 2019!

To find out further information on local events that are running over this week please visit the National Skills Week website.

Australian Rural Leadership (ARLP) Program Applications Open

Applications are now open for the 2020 Australian Rural Leadership (ARLP) Program. The ARLP is a 15-month leadership development program that takes place over five sessions across Australia and Vietnam.

Over 30 $50,000 scholarships are available for people working in or wanting to contribute to the development of rural, regional and remote Australia and AgriFutures Australia is pleased to sponsor a participant in each cohort.

Ms Sally Leigo from Darwin is one of 35 people from across Australia in the 2019 group. Ms Leigo, who is sponsored by AgriFutures Australia, is the NT Project Manager at the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia and comes from a sheep and cattle property in NSW.

Ms Leigo has strong stakeholder skills as well as a background in precision pastoralism and she is also a member of the AgriFutures TM Ignite Advisory Panel.

The ARLP is Australia’s longest and most in-depth experiential leadership program. It gives participants valuable opportunities to nurture, challenge and build upon their leadership skills with people from diverse communities and industries.

Matt Linnegar, Chief Executive of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) said the group will form lifelong friendships and a network that extends beyond their course to the wider 1,400 plus alumni of the Foundation.

“The 2019 participants have taken part in a rigorous and competitive selection process to be chosen for Course 26 of the ARLP, and I’m excited to get to know them,” said Mr Linnegar.

The participants have already commenced their first session of the program in Darwin and the Kimberley, WA for an outdoor component of the program.

The ARLP 2020 program is now open and applications close on Friday 30 August, 2019. Interviews will be conducted between 23 October and 8 November 2019.

To apply for the 2020 program, please complete the Australian Rural Leadership Program Course 27 – Application Form.

If you know someone who would be suitable for the program, please fill out the Shoulder Tap form and they will be notified.

Australian Taxation Office Update

AUSkey Replacement Coming

AUSkey will be retired in 2020. Find out about its replacements – myGovID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM). For more information please see the ATO's AUSkey replacement coming.

Changes to Commonwealth Government Contract Requirements

If you tender for Commonwealth Government contracts over $4 million, you may need a statement of tax record from the ATO. For more information, please see Changes to Commonwealth Government Contract Requirements

Wodonga TAFE Appoints New CEO

The Chair of the Wodonga Institute of TAFE Allison Jenvey has recently announced the appointment of Phil Paterson, as the new CEO of Wodonga TAFE.

Phil has extensive senior management experience as the Chief Finance Officer and Board Secretary of Wodonga TAFE since January 2016.

Phil is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“The Board was pleased to receive significant interest from across Victoria for this position. A rigorous recruitment process was undertaken, and we believe that Phil’s appointment is recognition of the wonderful talent we have at Wodonga TAFE”, said Ms Jenvey. “Our TAFE has an excellent reputation and a strong positive culture, and we look forward to this continuing under Phil’s leadership”.

Phil is a volunteer firefighter with the NSW Rural Fire Service and is passionate about the environment and growing tertiary participation in regional areas.

“I’m delighted to accept this challenge,” stated Mr Paterson, “and I look forward to working with our staff, industry partners and community organisations to build life long learning pathways for members of our Wodonga and rural communities.”

AEN congratulates Phil and Wodonga TAFE on the new appointment.

For further information please visit The Border Mail's article or Wodonga TAFE's website.

Worksafe Victoria Update

Good mental health supports people to thrive in their life, work and relationships with others.

Meanwhile, mental ill-health can negatively impact these parts of our lives in a significant way.

Mental health is everybody's responsibility.

WorkSafe's new mental health webpage has information on:
  • legal duties of employers and employees
  • causes of workplace injury
  • creating a mentally healthy workplace
  • links to additional resources to get you started.
For further information please visit WorkSafe's page - Mental Health: Safety Basics.

Portable Long Service Leave – Information Sessions

Portable Long Service Authority
The Portable Long Service Leave Authority is there to assist employers.

You can also call the Authority on 1800 517 158 or e-mail enquiries@plsa.vic.gov.au with any questions or requests for assistance.

The Portable Long Service website is regularly updated with new information and events.

The authority has also scheduled a number of free information sessions across the state - Please click on the event links below to register.

Register to attend a regional Pop Up Authority event in regional Victoria

Monday 12 August - Geelong

Tuesday 13 August - Ballarat

Wednesday 14 August - Colac

Thursday 15 August - Warrnambool

Monday 19 August - Shepparton

Tuesday 20 August - Broadford

Wednesday 21 August - Wangaratta

Thursday 22 August - Wodonga

Tuesday 27 August - Hamilton

Wednesday 28 August - Portland

Tuesday 3 September - Mildura

Wednesday 4 September - Swan Hill

Upcoming AEN Events

Over the coming months we have arranged a number of professional development workshops designed to assist GTOs.

QA Standards Network - Tuesday 13 August
Managing Competency Based Training – Wednesday 4 September
Health and Wellness at Work – Tuesday 24 September
Critical Thinking – Wednesday 2 October
Personal Productivity Training – Tuesday 22 October
Enhancing Workplace Relationships – Wednesday 6 November
Confidence, Self Esteem & Assertiveness – Tuesday 26 November

These workshops are free for members to attend. To find out further details and to register please visit our event calendar.

Workplace Assured

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Workplace Assured is the State Chambers national, proactive and 24/7 employment relations legal solution and insurance for employers. #WorkplaceAssuredWednesday are their weekly employment relations short video clips posted on LinkedIn and Facebook each Wednesday to help Australian businesses.

Here are some of their recent videos: How many warnings before terminating?, Terminating outside of work, Extending probationary period, Calculating leave for part-timers, 1 July increase, Superannuation on Annual leave loading, and Single Touch Payroll.

For more information, please see the Workplace Assured Flyer.

NCVER Update

Apprentice and trainee completion rates decrease

Completion rates for apprentices and trainees who commenced training in 2014 have decreased to 56.7% (down from 59.9% for those commencing in 2013).

Completion rates can vary considerably by occupation. For individuals who commenced in 2014, the completion rate for ICT professionals was 95%, and for food trades workers it was 41%.

Completion and attrition rates for apprentices and trainees 2018 tracks the outcomes of apprentices and trainees from when they commenced their training.

To access the full report please visit NCVER - Completion and attrition rates for apprentices and trainees 2018.

Bunnings Apprentice Trade PowerPass

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Don't miss a world of opportunities! As a Bunnings PowerPass Apprentice member, you can benefit from a huge range of exclusive deals.

  • ABN free applications for trade-related apprentices
  • Access to PowerPass prices and offers on a wide range of trade products
  • Invitations to exclusive trade events
  • Offers tailored to apprentice’s needs
  • Bunnings Trade merchandise
How do you Sign up for a Bunnings Powerpass Apprentice Membership?
  • Apply for Powerpass on the website
  • Fill in the details and submit
What to do, once you've signed up
The first thing to know is that there is no plastic card issued for a Bunning’s Power Pass member. Your membership is always with you, as the ID card lives on your phone.
  1. After you've filled in the application and it’s been processed you will receive an email asking you to confirm your email address, so it’s imperative that we get your email address right.
  2. After we have verified your email address, you will receive a new email with your CARD NUMBER and a link to download the Bunnings PowerPass App for your phone.
4. Load the App, enter your card number and you’re good to go.

For further information and details please visit Bunnings Trade Powerpass.

Thanks to our Industry Partners

AustralianSuper
EML
Marsh
SafetyFirst
VicSuper
WorkSight
AustralianApprenticeshipsPathways
ApprenticeshipSupportAustralia
aatis
VictorianChamberOfCommerceAndIndustry

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