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Skills@Work is compiled and distributed by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. All articles are submitted by the originating organisation and are published with their approval.

If you would like to provide feedback on this newsletter, please send us an email.


 

OCTOBER 2015

What’s happening
Training packages news
Faces of Excellence
Upcoming events
Resources
Useful links

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING

New Ministers for Education and Training

L to R:
Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham
Minister for Education and Training
The Hon Luke Hartsuyker MP
Minister for Vocational Education and Skills
Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck
Minister for Tourism and International Education

On 20 September 2015, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced his ministry which included the following appointments for the Education and Training portfolio:

    • Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Minister for Education and Training
    • The Hon Luke Hartsuyker MP, Minister for Vocational Education and Skills
    • Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Minister for Tourism and International Education.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement, Senator Birmingham said he had greatly enjoyed serving as the Minister responsible for vocational education and training, pursuing reforms focused on lifting the quality of training, the status of VET and its relevance to modern jobs. As portfolio Minister, he was looking forward to working with Minister Hartsuyker on further reforms to ensure Australians are equipped with the right skills for the jobs of the future.

Minister Hartsuyker reflected on further education and training’s importance to Australia’s productivity and to improving the prospects of those wishing to enter the workforce or upgrade their skills. He also acknowledged the many connections between his new position and his former role as Assistant Employment Minister.

Real Stories Real Achievements video series - online now!

The Australian Training Awards has released the third Real Stories Real Achievements video series which shares the inspirational journeys of people and organisations who have found career and business success through vocational education and training (VET).

Starring in the videos are the winners and finalists of the Australian Training Awards, many of whom are also Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors.

The first and second series of videos were released in 2011 and 2013 respectively and have enjoyed over 115 000 collective views – as well as public broadcasts and many event and conference showings. 

In a very powerful and emotive way, the videos illustrate the benefits of skills. For individuals, they show how an investment in training can lead to real careers. For businesses, the stories share evidence of best practice in training and how businesses have used VET to ensure long term and sustainable growth.

New videos include: 
The Estimator: Warwick’s story
The VET Teacher/Trainer: Steven's Story
The Human Resources Administrator: Ashleigh's Story
The Aged Care Worker: Caitlin's Story
The Sign Writer: Mitchell's Story
The Baker: Morgan’s Story
The Childcare Centre Director: Miranda's Story
The Mental Health Worker: Chris' Story
The Process Chemist: Joshua's Story
The Audiometrist: Markeeta's Story
The Learning Support Assistant: Eylish's Story
The Diesel Mechanic: Joel's Story
The Integrated Resort: The Crown Melbourne Story
The Fitter and Machinist: Melinda's Story
The Industry Collaboration: The Oothungs Sisters in Mining Program
The Carpenter: Richard's Story
The Electrical Fitter Mechanic: Sarah's Story
The Small Training Provider: Seafood Training Tasmania's Story
The Bank: Westpac's Story.

For more information about the Real Stories Real Achievements video series please contact the Australian Training Awards at australiantrainingwards@education.gov.au.

2015 Australian Training Awards finalists announced!

A selection of finalists for the 2015 Australian Training Awards has now been published on the Australian Training Awards website. Visit the 2015 finalist page to see who is in the running for a national title!

These individual, business and organisation finalists will now contend for a prestigious Australian Training Award to be announced at the national finals in Hobart in November. Further business and registered training organisation category finalists will be published in October at the conclusion of a shortlisting process.

The Australian Training Awards presentation dinner event will be held at The Princes Wharf No. 1, Hobart, Tasmania on Thursday 19 November 2015.

Book your ticket now by visiting the event page of the Australian Training Awards website.

For more information, visit Australian Training Awards or phone 02 6240 8155. For real time updates, you can find the Australian Training Awards on:
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn  
Youtube.  

Inspire your audience: Book an ambassador!

Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors know first-hand the value of investing in an apprenticeship or traineeship. Their inspirational stories prove that Australian Apprenticeships can provide skills for a secure future and a rewarding career.

Australia now has over 150 Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors working in many different occupations, of many different ages and backgrounds and from most parts of Australia.

If you want to encourage others to think about an Australian Apprenticeship as a career choice at your next conference or event, visit the Ambassadors Map on the Australian Apprenticeships website.  

You’ll be able to see who is located nearby, read their success story and send a booking request*.

For more information visit the Success Stories page of the Australian Apprenticeships website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

*28 days’ notice is required to book an Australian Apprenticeships Ambassador.

New RTO Helpline for USI

We now have a dedicated helpline to assist RTOs, VET Admission Bodies (VABs) and VET Related Bodies (VRBs)! You can contact 02 6240 USI 0 with your enquiries. This dedicated helpline will allow you to receive quick, quality advice directly from the USI Office, bypassing the Skilling Australia Information Line. Always check that you are contacting the correct number, 02 6240 8740.

Thanks to the good work of many training organisations, students and parents, more than 3 million USIs have been created to date! This marks an important milestone in the USI’s implementation journey since it came into effect from 1 January 2015.

Did you know that the most common cause for a USI Help Request is when both an RTO and a student try to create a USI for the same person? When you create USIs on your students’ behalf, make sure they know you are creating a USI for them. This will save unnecessary duplication and work around deactivating duplicate accounts. It will also assist in maintaining the integrity of the data.

To avoid unnecessary effort, always ask your students if they have a USI before creating one. If they think they have a USI but can’t recall it, you can use the locate function to find it. Once you have tried to locate a USI, and have determined that there is no existing USI, you can then proceed with creating a USI on the student’s behalf. Use ‘LOCATE’ first to save time for you, your student and the USI Office.

If you are an RTO, VAB or VRB you can call 02 6240 USI 0 or email usiadmin@education.gov.au for further information. Please do not provide this number to students as it may result in delays assisting RTOs.

Students should continue to use the 13 38 73 number for further information or email usi@education.gov.au

Stay up to date with the latest news on the USI via the website.

National Expansion of Industry Skills Fund Youth Pilots

Community organisations and businesses across Australia are now able to benefit from the Industry Skills Fund’s Youth Stream Pilots: Youth Employment Pathways and Training for Employment Scholarships.

The Youth Stream Pilots commenced on 1 March 2015 in selected regions. In recognition of the high rate of youth unemployment across the country, the former Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, agreed to extend the reach of the pilots nationally until 30 June 2016.

Training for Employment Scholarships provide funding for training that meets the needs of business and assists newly unemployed young people. Businesses with fewer than 200 employees who have hired an unemployed person aged 18 to 24 within the last three months may be eligible for funding of up to $7,500 to fund job specific training.

Youth Employment Pathways supports community organisations to assist young people aged 15 to 18 years who are disengaged from school and employment. Community organisations may be eligible for up to $2,000 to purchase training or provide services such as case management, job search, mentoring and other services to assist a young person to get back into school, start vocational training or move into work.

For further information or to apply visit the website or call 13 28 46.

Ambassadors promote Australian Apprenticeships to international audience

On Wednesday 2 September the Victorian town of Ballarat played host to over 100 delegates from 11 different nations for the 6th International Network on Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP) Conference at Federation University.

Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors, Ashlee HodsonPatrick Janes and Troy Everett  took part as guest panellists for a conference session entitled ‘Beyond the classroom: Promoting apprenticeships as viable career pathways to industry and society.’

Facilitated by WorldSkills Australia CEO Mark Callaghan, and also including Jyothi Foreman, a WorldSkills International silver medallist and WorldSkills Australia gold medallist, the panellists presented their positive experiences with the Australian Apprenticeships system to representatives from countries including Switzerland, China, Ireland and the United States.

So exciting was the panel session, it ran far overtime due to the questions from the audience.

Professor Erica Smith, Personal Chair in Vocational Education and Training, School of Education, Federation University Australia remarked that “the session was the highlight of the conference for many people!”

Enhanced training opportunities in Western Australia

Scholarships available to expand career options

Applications are open for a Western Australian training scholarship program in which women can expand their career options in a range of trade and skills areas.

The Expanding Career Options for Women scholarship program provides one-off training scholarships of up to $3000, targeting occupations in which women make up less than 25 per cent of the total workforce.

The Western Australian Government committed $1.2 million over four years to provide 400 scholarships for women starting studies in trades and industries with low female participation.

Scholarships will be available to women over the age of 18 who have left school and undertake training at Certificate III level or above in more than 180 specified qualifications. Employers offering an apprenticeship or traineeship to eligible women can also take advantage of the program.

Funds can be used towards costs associated with training, including learning resources, mentoring and fees, as well as for transport costs and childcare.

Applications close on 31 October 2015.

Further information and applications are available online.

New policy strengthens training commitments

A new State Government policy will create more opportunities for apprentices and trainees in Western Australia's building and construction industry by requiring a sector-wide training commitment.

Western Australia’s Training and Workforce Development Minister, the Hon Liza Harvey MLA, said under the new Government Building Training Policy, companies awarded State Government construction, building and maintenance work would need to meet a training benchmark for apprentices and trainees.

Initially the benchmark will be apprentices and trainees consisting of 11.5 per cent of the company's trade workforce.

“This new policy means successful companies will have demonstrated a commitment to training across all its projects, not just the Government contract,” Minister Harvey said.

“This will strengthen the training commitment of the construction sector.

“It will also ensure an adequate supply of skilled workers in the building and construction industry, which plays a key role in the WA economy.”

Contractors undertaking State Government projects with a labour value of more than $2 million need to meet industry average training rates of apprentices and trainees across the company. This will also apply to maintenance contracts.

The policy will apply to State Government construction projects including schools, hospitals, police stations and public housing projects.

In addition, reporting requirements for head contractors have been changed to strengthen compliance monitoring.

“The State Government invests heavily in infrastructure of all kinds, in both construction and maintenance, and it's fitting that there is an ongoing skills benefit to the State from these projects,” the Minister said.

“We are committed to developing a strong training culture through the employment of apprentices and trainees, while also ensuring West Australians are equipped with the best skills to get a job in the industries driving our economy.”

WA’s building and construction industry is the largest single employer of apprentices and trainees on a sector-by-sector basis.

More information about the Government Building Training Policy is available from the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development website.

ForestWorks project supports furnishing skills development

The culmination of a two year project managed by ForestWorks, to support the skills development of Victoria’s next generation of timber and wood workers and designers, resulted in an acclaimed awards ceremony at Government House, Victoria on Thursday 10 September 2015.

Two teams of students from Holmesglen Institute were presented with the Minister’s Student Award for Excellence in Timber Design and Manufacture by the Governor of Victoria, The Hon Linda Dessau AM, and Minister for Training and Skills, Mr Steve Herbert, for the design and creation of a communal seat with ribs to represent the growth rings of a tree and a state of the art lamp.

The award project, which was supported by the Victorian Government, was based on an initiative to utilise timber sourced from a 140 year old Hoop Pine tree.

The project is part of the program of activities ForestWorks are working on with Timber Training Creswick to take trees of significance in a community setting that are at the end of their safe life and transform them into high value products.

A key part of the process is the educational opportunities these styles of projects can deliver, as showcased at ForestWorks Industry Development Conference in March.

The tree was one of the original plantings by William Guilfoyle, who laid out the Government House gardens during the early 1870s.

The tree’s life came to an end in 2013 and it was felled for safety purposes, leaving in its legacy a natural resource of high quality timber. The Governor of Victoria at the time, the Hon Alex Chernov AC QC, recognised its value and sought a worthwhile use of the resource.

Mr Michael Hartman, ForestWorks CEO, said initiatives like this are fantastic for supporting the skills development of Victoria’s future furniture designers, as well as demonstrating the uniquely sustainable array of products our industry offers.

“What better use could this timber provide than to be used as a resource to train Victoria’s next generation of timber and wood workers and designers?”

“It is an example of how one tree can be recycled, reused and redistributed in an eco-friendly and community minded way.”

“Our communities have plenty of trees for projects like this across Australia, we just need our communities to value wood and see in trees a future beyond its old age,” Mr Hartman said.

The recovered timber was transported to the Timber Training Centre in Creswick where it was milled, dried and graded by students as part of their skill development, to enable it to be passed on to joinery and cabinet making students for furniture making.

ForestWorks managed the application process, where eligible applicants had the opportunity to produce a detailed design brief for a new timber product. The designs are now on display in Victorian Government buildings.

Call for speakers – Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD)

The Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD) is seeking speakers for its 2016 National Conference (AITD2016). AITD's Annual National Conference has developed a reputation for providing delegates with high quality, dynamic presentations on an exciting range of innovative topics.

AITD2016 will be held on 5 - 6 May 2016 in Sydney. Expressions of interest to speak at the conference close on 30 October 2015. Information is available on the Institute’s website.

Final Call!
You still have until 23 October 2015 to contribute an article on the theme of Leadership to the AITD's Training and Development magazine. Submit contributions to editor@aitd.com.au.

TRAINING PACKAGES NEWS   

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IBSA

New free BSB Business Services User Guides

IBSA has developed User Guides for the Work Health & Safety (WHS) and Leadership & Management qualifications from the BSB Business Services Training Package. Get your free copies today from the IBSA website

Upcoming resources! Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management

IBSA will soon be releasing resources to support the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management.  Read more about these resources.

Read all the latest IBSA news.

SkillsDMC

DMC’s Assessment Toolkits are aligned to the new Australian Skills Quality Authority Guidelines for Developing Assessment Tools. Resources are now available for the following unit streams:
• WorkHealth and Safety
Business Effectiveness
Blasting
Civil Works - Common Units
Communications
Environment
Emergency Response and Rescue
Governance and Compliance
Materials Extraction
Mobile Plant Operations
Quality
Risk Management
Service and Maintenance
Sampling, Testing and Data processing Recording
Water Management.

Read more about these Toolkits and view samples of SkillsDMC’s support materials.

Service Skills Australia

NEW vocational education and training related research

SIS10 Outdoor Recreation Components
The SIS10 Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package includes a suite of qualifications, skill sets and units of competency developed to address the specific needs of the outdoor recreation sector of the industry.

Service Skills Australia (SSA) commenced the review of the Outdoor Recreation components of this training package in June 2014. During the course of the training package review, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) initiated the Strategic Review into Equine Training following the NSW Coroner’s recommendation that training related to horse riding and handling be reviewed after the fatality of a student.

Through SSA’s extensive involvement during this process it has become increasingly clear that the recommendations relating to mitigating risk and addressing safety concerns will be applicable across all high risk sectors. As such, it will be in the best interest of the industry that these recommendations be adopted in the training components across all high risk activities within the outdoor recreation industry.

The recommendations of the ASQA Review are expected in October 2015, after which any policy recommendations will be formally adopted. Download the Update on the Review of Outdoor Recreation Training Package Components for more detail on actions taken to date and those that will be forthcoming.

Training package news

SSA would like to thank all stakeholders for their time and feedback during training package consultations. Feedback on proposed draft qualifications and units of competency may be received through the SSA online feedback register, targeted meetings, email and telephone conferences. Stakeholder feedback informs ongoing development and ensures nationally recognised qualifications are reflective of current and future workforce skills needs.

Validation periods provide industry with an opportunity to see how feedback has been reflected in changes to the components and to provide final input prior to submission.

SHB Hairdressing and Beauty Services Training Package (Submission 2)
Consultation on Draft 1 of the second submission of components has now concluded. This submission includes the following qualifications:
• Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics
• Certificate III in Barbering – new qualification
• Certificate III in Hairdressing
• Certificate IV in Hairdressing
• Diploma of Salon Management
• Graduate Certificate in Hairdressing Creative Leadership.

SSA is currently collating and reviewing feedback and will shortly release a second draft for further comment and validation. Visit the project page for more information.

Retail Services – Draft 1 consultation completed
SSA sought input into Draft 1 Retail Services Training Package components from 29 July to 11 September 2015, engaging in national consultation activities with retail employers representative of a variety of industry sectors and business sizes, key stakeholders and training providers. Stakeholders also had an opportunity to provide feedback via SSA’s online feedback register.

Draft 2 will be finalised and open for validation in November 2015. Communication related to the draft will be provided via the Service Skills Australia website and e-News. Visit the project page for more information.

Community Pharmacy – Draft 2 validation concluded
The validation period held during September 2015 for Draft 2 of the Community Pharmacy training package components has concluded.

The feedback will now be collated and reviewed prior to preparing the final material for submission. For more information, please visit the project page.

UPDATE - Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package
SSA is pleased to confirm that the Australian Industry and Skills Committee endorsed Submission One of the SIS Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package on 1 September. This submission included:
• SIS31015 - Certificate III in Aquatics and Community Recreation
• SIS30315 - Certificate III in Fitness
• SIS40215 - Certificate IV in Fitness
• SIS50215 - Diploma of Fitness.

The validation stage of Draft 2 of Submission Two of the Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package review is complete and feedback will now be collated and reviewed prior to preparing the final material for submission in October 2015.

SIT Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Training Package Validation
The consultation stage of Draft 1 of the SIT Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Training Package review is now complete. Feedback is currently being collated and reviewed prior to release of the Draft 2 material for validation.

Please email trainingpackages@serviceskills.com.au or phone 02 8243 1200 for further information on any of these news items.

Manufacturing Skills Australia

Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA) Transition Work Plan
The Transition Work Plan replaces MSA’s Continuous Improvement Plan as it undertakes Training Package transition activities on behalf of the Department of Education and Training until 31 December 2015. Check individual project pages for further developments or view the Transition Work Plan.

Did you know sustainabilityskills.net.au is full of free resources?
Sustainability skills provides hundreds of resources for industry and RTOs including information pages, case studies, videos and guides. The re-designed site makes it even easier to find and download all the resources.

You can find practical examples of how to apply sustainability in a business, plus guidance for RTOs who want to deliver sustainability skills aligned to the MSS11 Sustainability qualifications and Skill Sets.

All of the resources are free for industry and training providers to support sustainability skills development. Visit the MSA website for more information.

Recognising the skill in jobs traditionally considered unskilled
This national research project investigated unidentified and undervalued skill in people's jobs through research in nine occupations in service and manufacturing industries. It aimed to provide evidence that could be used to improve government policy, qualification-based training for work and companies' management practices that relate to skill, skill levels and the perception of skill.

Different views about what skills there are in work have very real and significant effects in terms of policy and practice. The project aimed to investigate perceptions of skill from several view points, including that of the workers themselves. Nine occupations, seven which are traditionally considered ‘unskilled’ and two recognised ‘skilled’ occupations, were examined through structured interviews and workshops.

MSA is pleased to be able to present the final report on the “Recognising the skill in jobs traditionally considered unskilled” project which we partnered with Federation University, the University of New South Wales, Services Skills and United Voice. The project was funded through the Australian Research Council Linkage program. Read more . . .

Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council

The Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC) Newsletter for July to August 2015 is now available to download!

Two interesting stories in this issue include: 

CPC08 and CPP07 Training Package Re-design July to November 2015
Over the coming months CPSISC will be undertaking a number of concurrent Training Package projects to align qualifications and units of competency to the Standards for Training Packages.

In order to meet contractual obligations with the Department of Education and Training, this body of work must be completed with Cases for Endorsement lodged with the Department by 30 November 2015.

Once endorsed, these qualifications will be included in their respective new CPC Construction, Plumbing and Services and the CPP Property Services Training Packages and available for implementation in early 2016. Read more on Page 2 of the Newsletter.

New Pest Management Resources – available now!
In support of the release of the CPP Property Services Training Package Version 2 and the newly re-designed Pest Management qualifications, CPSISC has developed a set of resources covering various Certificate III level Pest Management units of competency.

The Delivery and Assessment Guides provide trainers and assessors with general guidance and a suggested training and assessment process for implementing the unit of competency in accordance with the requirements of the Australian vocational education and training quality system. Read more on Page 4 of the Newsletter.

Other stories include:
• CPSISC Case Studies Booklet: Changing Lives in The Construction and Property Services Industries
• TAFE New England Continual PD program for builders
• CPSISC Media Kit - available now!
• Trinity Grammar School’s inaugural School Based Traineeships Dinner
• Barangaroo Site Visit
• 2015 Victorian Training Awards
• Upcoming Events
• Staff Contact Details.

FACES OF EXCELLENCE

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World Teachers' Day is held annually in October to celebrate the vital contribution that teachers make to education and development. Skills@Work shares the real stories and real achievements of the finalists in this year’s VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award which will be presented at the Australian Training Awards on Thursday 19 November in Hobart.

Mathew Deveraux - Agriculture

Northern Territory
Employer: Taminmin College

Mathew Deveraux grew up on Northern Territory cattle stations with a passion for horses and polocrosse. It seemed a natural progression for him to pass on his agricultural skills and become a vocational education and training teacher. Since 2011, Mathew has taught at comprehensive rural school, Taminmin College where he has delivered nationally recognised qualifications in agriculture. Read more . . .   
 

Melissa Dinn - Aged Care

Australian Capital Territory
Employer: Kirana Training

When Melissa Dinn began her career in nursing she felt naturally drawn to areas such as rehabilitation, aged care and disability. After gaining senior positions as a health educator at a dementia specific care faculty and as the National Dementia Care Coordinator for a large residential nursing home in Canberra, Melissa realised her ultimate career goal was to remain in aged care, focus on dementia and palliative care, and teach. Read more ...

Troy Everett - Bricklaying

New South Wales
Employer: TAFE NSW - Illawarra Institute

Troy Everett is the Head Teacher for Bricklaying, Building and Construction, Civil Engineering, Surveying and Mapping at TAFE NSW - Illawarra Institute. With over 20 years' experience in the bricklaying industry, he has many achievements. Passionate about using his skills to help communities in need here and overseas, Troy will also be building a village school hall complex near earthquake-devastated Nepal in April 2016. Read more . .

Sharan Berry - Hairdressing

Queensland
Employer: TAFE Queensland East Coast

For 16 years, Sharan Berry has been at the leading edge of hairdressing training as a vocational education and training teacher/trainer in TAFE Queensland East Coast’s Creative Industries department. Passionate about the future of the hairdressing industry, Sharan has been an active contributor to the improvement of the national training package for hairdressing. Read more . . .

Kate Herbert - Professional Writing and Editing

Victoria
Employer: Swinburne University of Technology

Kate Herbert has accrued more than 30 years’ experience in vocational education and training teaching, developing curricula and leading departments. For nearly five years, she has been the Swinburne University of Technology Professional Writing and Editing Course Convenor where she instils in her students the confidence they need to work across a range of careers including multimedia communication, technical writing, marketing and journalism. Read more . . .

Danni Grundy - Early Childhood

Western Australia
Employer: C. Y. O'Connor Institute

Danni Grundy is a trainer and assessor in the Early Childhood Education and Care faculty of C.Y. O’Connor Institute, delivering the Certificate III and Diploma of Children’s Services to students across 150,000 kilometres of Western Australia’s wheat belt. After 11 years working in various roles within the industry, Danni’s interest training future employees in the industry grew into reality when she was appointed a trainer and assessor in 2007. Read more . . .

Geoff Way - Automotive

South Australia
Employer: CMI Toyota Adelaide

Geoff Way has worked in the South Australian automotive industry for 32 years and for the last five of those years has been the Apprentice Training Manager for CMI Toyota in Adelaide. More recently, he has led the development implementation of a new Technical Training Centre, recruiting and training 41 apprentices across five dealerships to assist in the future sustainability of CMI Toyota and Lexus of Adelaide. Read more . . .

Stephen Lunn - Hospitality

Tasmania
Employer: Guilford Young College

Stephen Lunn has been the lead Vocational Education and Training Hospitality Teacher at Guildford Young College in Tasmania for six years. A widely respected chef with over 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, he brings to his role a wealth of restaurant and catering experience across Australia and Europe. Stephen made the decision to teach students in the hospitality industry when he recognised that those entering hospitality and commercial cookery apprenticeships did not have the required level of training needed by industry. Read more . . .

Upcoming events                                                  back to top

Master Builders National Conference, Exhibition and Awards

12-14 November 2015, Jupiters, Gold Coast

REGISTRATIONS STILL OPEN

It's not too late to join Master Builders from all around Australia to come together to learn more about the industry and where it is heading. The theme of this year’s conference is Building Australia and the focus will be on leadership and helping members grow their business. High profile speakers include Chris Richardson, one of Australia’s leading economists and Alisa Camplin OAM, Business Leader and Olympic Gold Medallist. More details and the conference brochure can be found on the Master Builders’ website.

NEW! NCVER Research Forum: VET’s role in re-skilling displaced workers

Wednesday 18 November, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
10.00 am – 4.00 pm

Don't miss the National Centre for Vocational Education Research's (NCVER) one-day research forum When one door closes: VET’s role in re-skilling displaced workers. This forum will discuss the role vocational education and training plays now and into the future in assisting occupational transferability, and how policy in this area can help workers to transition.

Speakers include Associate Professor John Spoehr, Executive Director, Australian Workplace Innovation and Social Research Centre, University of Adelaide and Dr Andrew Scott, Associate Professor of Politics and Policy, Deakin University.

To register, access the forum programme or for more information, visit the NCVER website.

2015 Australian Training Awards

19 November 2015, Hobart

The Australian Training Awards presentation dinner event will be held at Princes Wharf No. 1, Hobart, Tasmania on Thursday 19 November 2015.

Book your ticket now by visiting the Event Registration page of the Australian Training Awards website.

Upcoming Velg Training Workshops

Extending Assessment Practice: Moving beyound the tick and flick approach - Jason Ash
Brisbane - 30 October 2015
Sydney - 3 November 2015
Melbourne - 5 November 2015

Achieving Goals: How to Focus on What Matters and Build Value - Nathan Brooks
Brisbane - 10 November 2015 - AM Session

Why Leadership Will Always Matter: How to Lead with Purpose - Nathan Brooks
Brisbane - 10 November 2015 - PM Session

Presentation Skills for the 21st Century Trainer - Marc Ratcliffe
Brisbane - 29 January 2016
Sydney - 9 February 2016
Melbourne - 16 February 2016

Visit the Velg website for more information or to register.

Save the Date - 2016 Group Training National Conference

7-8 April 2016, Adelaide Hilton

Reserve the dates in your diary now for the 2016 Group Training National Conference. As further information becomes available it will be published on the Group Training Australia website.

RESOURCES

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Australian Apprenticeship Pathways promotional cards

The Australian Apprenticeships and Trainees (AAT) Information Service has promotional cards highlighting the new Career Interest Explorer on the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways website, and the Australian Apprenticeships - My Gain YouTube channel.

If you would like further information or to place your free order, please contact the AAT Information Service on 1800 338 022 or email contact@aatinfo.com.au and provide your name, address, and the quantity of cards you would like to order.

eworks

eworks, one of Australia’s leading e-learning delivery and consultancy specialists, offers a range of products and services to help businesses maximise the benefits of online education. The eworks team is passionate about building world-class and inclusive training through e-learning.

Learn about eworks’ practical solutions, tools and advice by visiting their website and reading some of their recent blogs.

What Works for LLN - free online library of language, literacy and numeracy training and professional development videos

Ideas That Work has developed seven new “Workplace Literacy and Numeracy” videos for the What Works for LLN training and professional development video library.

There are now 33 LLN videos available to view online or download for free on the Ideas that Work website
• LLN in training and assessment (25 videos)
• LLN in the workplace (8 videos).

These videos were funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.

economic Security4Women (eS4W)

National Women’s Alliances take the lead in ensuring that the voices of as many women as possible are heard by government, especially those who in the past have found it difficult to engage in advocacy and decision making. They are made up of a mix of sector-based and issues-based women's groups, each with a distinct focus and a strong capacity for networking and advocacy activities.

economic security for women (eS4W), an issues-based group,advocates for change to policies which continue to impact negatively on equality for women and their ongoing economic security. eS4W promotes the belief that economic wellbeing and financial security are essential for women and will enable women of all ages to have an equal place in society.

Read more about eS4W and the National Women’s Alliances.

Money management help for apprentices and trainees

Improve money management skills by accessing Be MoneySmart, a free online training resource developed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The  resource can be used for accredited training as part of the Certificate III in Financial Services (FNS3011), for general money management skills development programmes or as a package for training organisations to include on their learning management system. Access at ASIC's MoneySmart website.

Workforce Planning Guide for the Tourism & Hospitality Industry

If you work in the tourism and hospitality industry, this Guide from Service Skills Australia provides practical advice on making sure you’ve got the right people and skills to meet your business goals.

Download a copy of the Guide and the workforce planning templates.

Geelong jobseekers app

Developed to provide a live feed of current local jobs to local jobseekers via their phone as well as indications of trending industries, vocational education training information and services available for retrenched workers and other key groups in this region.

Download from the Geelong Careers website, the App Store or Google Play.

Foundation skills resources from Aspire Learning

For more information or to view sample pages, please visit Aspire’s website or call (03) 9820 1300.

Assessment model resources to support your training

smallprint and Catapult eLearning’s entire training and assessment resource library is now available in print and online with a NEW assessment model. For more information contact:
smallprint at admin@smallprint.com.au or phone (08) 8275 9333
• Catapult eLearning at Catapult eLearning at info@catapult-elearning.com or phone (08) 8275 9380.

Revised and updated Making the Connections now available

The highly successful Making the Connections professional development resource, designed to assist VET practitioners integrate foundation skills and language, literacy and numeracy into their training, has now been revised and updated by MSA.

Free ISC foundation skills resources now in one place

Please visit the website for more information and to access the resources.

Numeracy by Measure, Numeracy in Practice and Numeracy in Focus

Free professional development resources developed by Oggi Consulting and funded by the Australian Government:

For more information please email Tina Berghella at Oggi Consulting.

VOCEDplus – latest research on VET, skills and workforce development issues

Stay in touch with current research, policy and practice across a broad range of areas affecting the VET sector in Australia and internationally.

To find out more, visit VOCEDplus.

Government Skills Australia – foundation skills resources

Please visit the website to download the resources.

USEFUL LINKS

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Australian Apprenticeships - provides quick and easy access to information regarding Australian Apprenticeships, including Australian Apprenticeships programs, employer incentives and support for apprentices during their apprenticeships.

Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships Information Service and Australian Apprenticeships Pathways - provide apprenticeships and traineeships information and resources.

Australian Training Awards - the peak, national awards for the vocational education and training sector, recognising individuals, businesses and registered training organisations for their contribution to skilling Australia.

business.gov.au - offers businesses simple, practical and convenient access to all the government information, programmes and services they need to make running their business and skilling their employees easier.

Industry Skills Councils - bringing together industry, educators and governments, and uniting them on a common industry-led agenda for action on skills and workforce development.

LiteracyNet - information about Australian adult literacy activities and links to a range of additional program, professional development, resource and research sites (including training programs).

MySkills.gov.au - provides information about vocational education and training to future and current students, jobseekers and employers to help them make informed choices about training.

National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) - a not for profit company responsible for collecting, managing, analysing, evaluating and communicating research statistics about vocational education and training.

National Skills Week - provides a platform to highlight the opportunities and career pathways available through vocational education and training.

StudyAssist.gov.au - one stop shop for information on government assistance while studying. Students can use the website to determine their options for financing their tertiary study. The course search function allows students to look for courses offered by approved VET FEE-HELP providers.

training.gov.au - the official national register of information on training packages, qualifications, courses, units of competency and registered training organisations, developed for experienced training sector users.

Unique Student Identifier (USI) - provides information about the USI, a reference number that creates a secure online lifetime record of an individual’s nationally recognised training and qualifications.

WorldSkills Australia - working to promote and build a skills culture by inspiring young people, celebrating skills excellence and providing opportunities to showcase trade and skill talent through competitions held on a regional, national and international level.

CONTRIBUTIONS

If you would like to provide feedback, supply an article for inclusion in the next edition or join our list of subscribers, please email skillsatwork@education.gov.au. The next edition will be published in November 2015. Submissions are due by Monday 19 October 2015.