Apprenticeship Employment Network

AE News Volume 12, Issue 29

Friday, 16th August 2019
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Upcoming Events


22-23 August - Field Officer Conference
4 September - Managing Competency Based Training
10 September - GTO Managers Meeting
Click here for all upcoming events.

COAG 47th General Meeting

On Friday last week the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) held its 47th general meeting in Cairns. State and territory leaders made progress at the meeting on priority issues for keeping the Australian economy strong and improving the lives of all Australians.

A vision for skills in Australia

A strong Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector is critical for our economy and ensuring Australians are equipped for the workforce now and in the future. Leaders agreed to a shared vision for VET delivering high quality education and training that meets the needs of students and employers.

VET and higher education are equal and integral parts of Australia’s post-secondary education system. The Commonwealth and states and territories will work together to deliver a system which helps all Australians – for those getting first qualifications or re-training – get the skills they need for employment.

Skills ministers will work together through a new COAG Skills Council, in consultation with education ministers, to advise leaders on future reform priorities by the end of 2019 and provide a reform roadmap to COAG in early 2020.

VET and higher education are equal and integral parts of a joined up and accessible post-secondary education system with pathways between VET, higher education and the school system.

Our vision for Australia’s VET system is one that:
  1. Provides workforce skills and relevant, up-to-date qualifications that are well-matched to the evolving opportunities and challenges of Australia’s modern economy.
  2. Is flexible in providing skills at all points in an individual’s career cycle whether it be foundational training, initial training, upskilling or re-skilling.
  3. Delivers high-quality education and training for all learners in recognition that VET and higher education are equally valued pathways into employment.
  4. Provides useful and accessible careers information that enables prospective learners and trainees to make informed decisions about their future.
  5. Is responsive to the needs of private industry and the public sector, ensuring employers have ready access to a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, while acknowledging industry has shared responsibility for growing a skilled economy.
  6. Provides VET qualifications to school students that are valued by employers and provides a clear pathway from school to careers that require VET qualifications.
  7. Delivers positive opportunities and outcomes for all Australians regardless of geographic, social or personal circumstances. This includes access for learners in regional, rural and remote areas, and to foundational skills when individuals need them.
Delivering high quality VET is a shared responsibility across the Commonwealth and states and territories.

All jurisdictions acknowledge the importance of a viable and robust system of both public and private providers, and the particular role of states and territories in facilitating the public provision of VET.

A focus on national consistency in key areas, such as quality assurance and qualification levels, whilst maintaining flexibility in the system for jurisdictions to meet local needs will ensure VET continues to work for all Australians into the future.

For further information please see the COAG Meeting Communiqué.

Field Officers Conference - Registrations Closed

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Registrations for our field officers conference are now closed.

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.

We look forward to seeing those who have registered next week.

2019 Victorian Training Awards – Finalists Announced

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This week Minister Gayle Tierney announced the 2019 Training Award finalists.

The Apprenticeship Employment Network and Global Apprenticeship Network are the Principal Partners of the Victorian Training Awards and we congratulate all the finalists listed below.
Apprentice of the Year
  • Daniel Fortune
  • Amber Gabelich
  • Jake Carter
Trainee of the Year
  • Daniela Feldman
  • Maddison Lyall
  • Nebewiya Ibrahim
Vocational Student of the Year
  • Rachel Hilder
  • Jacob Champion
  • Jordan Gradon
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
  • Heidi Liesel Rasmussen
  • Connor Carter
  • Paige Mountford
Koorie Student of the Year
  • Nicole Perkins
  • Renee Wandin
  • Tanya McDonald
Teacher/Trainer of the Year
  • Roeland Trietsch - Melbourne Polytechnic
  • Brenda Fithall – Federation University Australia
  • Jodi Rechsteiner-Sanders – GOTAFE
Large Training Provider of the Year
  • Sunraysia Institute of TAFE
  • Box Hill Institute
  • Swinburne University of Technology
Employer Award for Apprenticeship Development
  • Seymour Health
  • ANCA Apprenticeship Program
  • Mambourin Enterprises
Large Employer of the Year
  • Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority
  • Select Harvests Almond Tailored Pathways Model
  • Victoria Power Networks Pty Ltd
Industry Collaboration Award
  • Beon Energy Solution
  • Homesglen / Royal Children's Hospital Collaboration
  • Regional Industry Sector Employment Program (RISE)
Community Training Provider of the Year
  • Cire Services
  • Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre
  • Port Phillip Community Group
Small Training Provider of the Year
  • genU Training (Karingal St Laurence Ltd)
  • Ringwood Training
  • NECA Education & Careers Ltd
Inclusive Training Provider of the Year
  • Box Hill Institute
  • Melbourne Polytechnic
  • Victoria University Polytechnic

Early Bird Tickets are on sale for the Victorian State Training Awards

Show your support to Vocational Education and Training in Victoria by attending the Victorian Training Awards on Friday 6 September 2019 at Crown Palladium, Melbourne. Discounted early bird tickets are available from now until 10 August 2019.

The Victorian Training Awards gala event is the state’s showcase for the ‘best of the best’ in the TAFE and training sector. With 45 exciting finalists across 16 categories - this special evening will recognise, reward and celebrate Victoria’s outstanding apprentices, trainees, students, employers, teachers and training providers.

We will see, through real life stories, how Victoria’s Vocational Education and Training sector is making a powerful and enduring difference to individuals and communities.

The night will feature spectacular stage designs, live entertainment, a celebrity MC plus a delicious three course sit down dinner. We encourage students, teachers, providers and businesses to support the sector by attending this exciting event.

Book your early bird ticket or table today.

AEN are proud to be the Principal Partner of the awards for the next 3 years.

For further information please visit the Victorian Training Awards.

Victorian Labour Hire Scheme Registrations

Labour hire providers have two 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.

Free AICD Report on the NFP Sector

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This week the AICD released its annual report on the not-for-profit sector. NFP directors are consistently spending more time on their NFP board roles.

This is one of the key findings of the 2019 study and one that raises questions about how increased time commitment will impact boards, organisations and succession planning in the sector.

The study also shows that boards continue to focus on culture, financial performance and the diversification of income sources and are increasingly focused on improving the board’s oversight of strategy formulation and execution.

NFP director remuneration, the sports sector and the slowdown in mergers across the NFP sector are also explored.

The key areas of focus in 2019:
  • NFP directors' time commitment – is it sustainable?
  • Board composition and director recruitment are ongoing challenges
  • NFP director remuneration – where is it heading?
  • NFPs are effective, but remain financially challenged
  • NFP mergers appear to be slowing – will this continue?
  • Board performance is rated highly, but directors see strategic planning and implementation as areas for improvement
  • Challenges facing sporting organisations have evolved.
To explore these findings in more detail, the AICD will be running a webinar and a series of national events over the coming months.

To access the free report please visit the AICD.

New ASQA Guidance on Third-party Arrangements for Delivery of Training and Assessment

ASQA has published updated guidance on third-party arrangements that will come into effect from 1 September 2019 for new third-party arrangements and 1 November 2019 for existing arrangements.

Registered training organisations (RTOs) often work with other organisations (third parties) to deliver a range of services, including training and/or assessment.

The requirements of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (NVR Act) specify limitations on the types of third-party arrangements an RTO can have.

In addition, the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 (the Standards for RTOs) set out requirements for how these arrangements must be managed.

This fact sheet explains in brief:
  • the implications of the NVR Act in relation to third party arrangements
  • the type of third party arrangements an RTO can enter into
  • the type of third party arrangements that are not permitted
  • what to include in written agreements with third parties.

This updated guidance comprises:
For further information please visit the ASQA.

OECD Skills Strategy 2019 - Skills to Shape a Better Future

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The OECD Skills Strategy released this week provides a strategic and comprehensive approach for ensuring that people and countries have the skills to thrive in a complex, interconnected and rapidly changing world.

The updated 2019 OECD Skills Strategy takes account of the lessons learned from applying the original skills strategy in 11 countries since 2012, while also incorporating new OECD evidence about the skills implications of megatrends, such as globalisation, digitalisation, population ageing, and migration.

The Strategy also incorporates new learning from across the OECD about skills policies that work in these three broad components: developing relevant skills over the life course, using skills effectively in work and society, and strengthening the governance of skills systems.

For further information and to access the report please visit the ILO’s Skills for Employment platform.

Victorian Public Holidays 2019

A reminder that Friday 27 September is now a registered public holiday in Victoria.

The AFL Grand Final holiday is the newest public holiday in the state of Victoria.

The date of the holiday is on the Friday preceding the Australian Football League Grand Final.

The holiday is also referred to as “AFL Grand Final Friday”.

For further information please see Victoria Public Holidays 2019.

Safe Work Australia Release Guidelines for Labour Hire OH&S Consultation

Earlier this week the Safe Work Australia released guidelines for Labour Hire OH&S consultation with host employers.

This guide provides information for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) involving the supply of workers (labour hire PCBUs) to work for another business or undertaking (host PCBUs) on complying with their health and safety duties under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws.

For further information and access to the guide please visit Safe Work Australia.

Aussie WorldSkills Team Ready to Compete in Kazan

22 – 27 August, Kazan, Russia

The 45th WorldSkills International competition in Kazan will bring together Competitors from 68 countries who will compete in 56 skills.

The Australian team will consist of 15 competitors – to see their individual stories please visit WorldSkills Competitors.

Congratulations and best of luck to the Aussies over the next couple of weeks!

For further information please visit WorldSkills Australia.

NCVER Update

Life at 24: Then & Now

An update to last year's release, Life at 24: Then & Now uses data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) to provide a snapshot of how study, training and work have changed for Australians aged 24 in 2018 when compared with those of the same age in 2008.

Future Less Clear for Today’s Young People

Fewer young people are working in their career job at age 24 than ten years ago, with significantly higher rates of young people uncertain whether the job they have is the one they would like as a career, according to a new analysis. See the full report Life at 24 Then + Now.

Putting the Spotlight on Youth

The theme for this year’s International Youth Day, ‘Transforming education’, highlights global efforts to make education more inclusive and accessible for youth.

Here are some recent publications in VOCEDplus on more inclusive education and training for young people:
For further information please visit the NCVER.

Upcoming AEN Events

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

Managing Competency Based Training – Wednesday 4 September
GTO Managers Meeting - Tuesday 10 September
Financial Controllers & IR Network - Wednesday 18 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
OH&S Network - Tuesday 12 November
AEN Mini Conference - Thursday 14 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 Chamber's 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.

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

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ApprenticeshipSupportAustralia
AustralianApprenticeshipsPathways
AustralianSuper
Bunnings-Warehouse-Logo-Small
EML
Marsh
SafetyFirst
VicSuper
VictorianChamberOfCommerceAndIndustry
WorkSight

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