2013 Australian Training Awards – a night to remember
Ballarat welder Patrick Janes was named Australian Apprentice of the Year at the 2013 Australian Training Awards in Perth on Friday 22 November.
Mr Janes was among 18 winners, including NSW training advocate Albert Evans AO who was recognised for more than 30 years service to the vocational education and training (VET) sector, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.
More than 780 people attended the event which was held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Broome teacher Jacky Cheng was the sole winner from Western Australia, taking out the VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year award.
Held annually each November, the Australian Training Awards are the peak national awards for VET, recognising innovation and excellence in the training sector. Many of the awards are the culmination of the state and territory awards with winners from each state and territory competing in these nationals finals.
This year’s event was the 20th Australian Training Awards.
Winners and finalists’ biographies and photographs are available on the Australian Training Awards website, while further information from the night is available from the @AusTrainAwards Twitter account.
For further information please visit www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au or email australiantrainingawards@industry.gov.au.
Follow the Australian Training Awards on Twitter @AusTrainAwards.
Photo: Winners of the 2013 Australian Training Awards
2013 Australian Training Awards – winners and runners up
Congratulations to this year’s Australian Training Awards winners and runners up listed below. Don’t miss the Faces of Excellence section which features the winners’ profiles.
Individual
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Albert Evans AO, NSW
Australian Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Patrick Janes, VIC
Runner up: Morgan Clementson, NSW
Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Joel Schwarz, VIC
Runner up: Henry Kemp, WA
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Winner: Markeeta Douglas, NSW
Runner up: Ryan D’Souza, WA
Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year
Winner: Ashlee Hodson, NSW
Runner up: Joshua Antunovich, WA
Vocational Student of the Year
Winner: Kate Cross, VIC
Runner up: Ian Goudie, ACT
VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year
Winner: Jacky Cheng, WA
Runner up: David Barker, NT
Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award
Winner: Ros Bauer, NT
Leadership in VET Quality
Winner: Paul Rasmussen, QLD
Business
Small Employer of the Year
Winner: Dayshelf Fire Systems, QLD
Employer of the Year
Winner: Crown Melbourne Limited, VIC
Industry Collaboration Award
Winner: TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute/ Racing NSW, NSW
Australian Apprenticeships - Employer Award
Winner: Thiess Pty Ltd, QLD
Registered Training Organisation
Small Training Provider of the Year
Winner: Help Enterprises, QLD
Large Training Provider of the Year
Winner: TAFE NSW - South Western Sydney Institute, NSW
International Training Provider of the Year
Winner: Box Hill Institute, VIC
Skills for Sustainability – Educational Institution Award
Winner: Green Business Audit & Training, SA
School Pathways to VET Award
Winner: Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College, NSW
LLN practitioner scholarships – apply now for 2014
The Australian Government is providing scholarships of up to $5250 to individuals to undertake an approved adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) practitioner qualification through the LLN Practitioner Scholarships Program.
LLN practitioners play a vital role working with people to improve their low LLN skills, supporting their transition to further education and/or employment.
The program is targeted at:
- new entrants (individuals with no prior qualifications as teachers or trainers) who wish to gain an adult LLN qualification and work in the field
- vocational trainers wishing to gain an adult LLN specialisation and work in the field
- individuals with prior relevant training (e.g. generalist teachers) wishing to add an adult LLN specialisation with the intention of working in the field.
Indigenous Australians are strongly encouraged to apply.
The fourth application round under the program opened on 16 November 2013. Applications are invited from eligible individuals interested in undertaking an approved course in adult LLN, commencing in 2014.
To access more information about the LLN Practitioner Scholarships Program, including program guidelines and a link to the online application form, please visit the LLN Practitioner Scholarships website, send an email to llnscholarships@startgrowrun.com.au, or phone 02 9113 0813.
Applications must be received by 5.00pm (AEDT) on Wednesday 11 December 2013.
Transforming lives as a language, literacy and numeracy educator
Thanks to the Australian Government’s Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Practitioner Scholarship, Katherine Cousins completed an adult learning qualification in 2012.
What’s the most rewarding part of being a literacy tutor? ‘The smile on a student’s face when they achieve their learning goals,’ Katherine said.
Read more about how the LLN Practitioner Scholarships Program has helped Katherine make a difference in her local community.
NCVER’s validation software now available for AVETMISS release 7.0
The Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) for VET providers is a national data standard for collecting and reporting VET information. The Standard details the information training organisations need to collect on the training activities they provide.
The new release of the data standard, AVETMISS release 7.0, has been made available in NCVER’s new web-based AVETMISS validation software (AVS). Training organisations can now validate their data in AVS to check if their systems are AVETMISS 7.0 compliant.
AVETMISS 7.0 comes into effect for 2014 training activity. Please use the PC-based validation software to validate your 2013 training activity under AVETMISS release 6.1.
To access the web-based validation software, please register online. Support materials on how to use the new validation software are available online (under Support).
The following AVETMISS 7.0 materials are available:
- Business rules to assist you in implementing AVETMISS 7.0 changes in your systems
- Sample text files to allow you to validate trial data and provide you with an opportunity to become familiar with the new software
- AVETMISS 7.0 flyer provides an overview of key changes and revisions
- Detailed description of changes from release 6.1
- Transition arrangements for client address data for 2014
- Statistical Standards which include the AVETMISS 7.0 VET provider collection specifications and the AVETMISS data element definitions (ed. 2.2).
For additional information on AVETMISS 7.0 and NCVER’s new AVETMISS validation software, please visit the NCVER website.
New data on foundation skills in Australia
The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is an OECD survey which measures adult skills and competencies, focusing on literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills. Results released last month show that Australia is performing well in comparison to the other 23 countries who participated, ranking fifth for literacy, sixth for problem solving, and performing at about the OECD average for numeracy. For detailed PIAAC results and analysis please visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
The results are good for Australia, but there is still room for improvement. The National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults (NFSSA) has set an aspirational target that by 2022, two thirds of Australians will have the foundation skills they need to meet the complex demands of everyday life and work in the modern economy. PIAAC data shows that 56 per cent of Australians have literacy skills at level three or above, while 46 per cent have numeracy skills which meet the benchmark. Improved foundation skills have a positive impact on productivity, allowing individuals to keep up with technological changes in the workplace, to re-train or to change careers more easily..
To find out more about the NFSSA please visit National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults on the Department of Industry website.
For more information on the work of the Foundation Skills Branch, please visit Literacy and numeracy programs and initiatives on the Department of Industry website.
Making industry grade technologies available for training – researcher announced
Research into whether industry-based training facilities including simulators can be used to support online delivery of vocational education and training (VET) will be carried out by the Klevar Group.
Funded by the National VET E-learning Strategy (the Strategy), Making Industry Grade Technologies Available for Training research will use the mining industry as a starting point to focus on simulation facilities and technologies applicable to the VET sector. The project will:
- survey Simulations Australia members and their networks
- identify facilities with simulation technology
- provide a case study on a minimum of ten training facilities or technologies that may be transferred into the VET sector.
While there are many examples of the use of simulations (with technology) across the mining, health, civil aviation, rail and defence industries, the uptake across the VET sector is patchy. Klevar suggests that the complexity of the industries, the relationship between the industries and VET sector, the sophistication of the technology and the role of education in the simulation context are some of the reasons for this uneven uptake.
This project is one of five technology innovations applied research projects to be funded through the Flexible Learning Advisory Group’s (FLAG) Strategy.
Each of the projects will address a specific topic on behalf of the Australian national VET sector, and deliver nationally applicable outcomes. The remaining four topics are:
- supporting the effective delivery of foundation skills to Indigenous, remote and disadvantaged learners
- verification of e-assessment and authentication of user identity
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) guidelines for registered training organisations (RTOs)
- capturing information to improve learner retention and completion of courses
The projects will be managed through the New Generation Technologies business activity and overseen by the E-standards Expert Group (EEG), the VET sector’s national forum for collaboratively reviewing and recommending technical standards to support e-learning.
“The selection panel was impressed by the quality of the proposal, and looks forward to working with Klevar to produce a valuable piece of research with clear recommendations regarding uptake and implementation within the VET sector”, says EEG Chair, Rodney Spark.
For further information please visit the New Generation Technologies website and follow on Twitter.
ForestWorks Innovation Skills Program – leading minds offer insight at Melbourne workshop
The new ForestWorks Innovation Skills Program made its first appearance in Melbourne at the annual gathering of the Institute of Foresters Australia (IFA) on 7 November 2013.
The Innovation Skills Program is a new initiative aimed at boosting innovation in the forest, wood, paper and timber products sector.
The Melbourne event followed successful Innovation Forums held in Bunbury and Mt Gambier.
ForestWorks CEO Michael Hartman told the IFA forum that while everyone in the industry knew that greater innovation is the key to success, defining the path of how to get there was much harder.
"Research shows that productive innovation tends to occur within sectors with a strong culture of collaboration. This has not traditionally been the strong suit of our local industry," he said.
"The Innovation Skills Program will be assisting in building stronger communication links across the supply chain so that this vital collaboration can occur. An open information exchange is vital to turning our industry’s innovation ambition into genuine productive change.
“Australians live in a high cost environment and that's not going to change in the foreseeable future. So our success in this century will depend upon our capacity to innovate.
"The fact is, innovation is so much more than R&D and it doesn't need to cost money."
Mr Hartman said opportunities for innovation in the industry abounded.
“At the moment we have a situation where people are competing in a way that drives up cost. But there is plenty of room for people to work together across supply chains in a way that increases efficiencies,” he said.
“But this requires people to work differently, think differently and behave differently, which is really our definition of innovation. This program is seeking to equip industry with the capacity and the knowledge to make these changes.”
Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive, with participants saying they were looking forward to new phases of the Innovation Skills Program in 2014.
Mr Hartman said businesses could get staff involved in learning opportunities through skills sets, units of competency, or qualifications by contacting ForestWorks Skills Advisory Managers (SAMs) for advice on Workforce Development Planning. For more information, and to reach a Skills Advisory Manager, please visit the website.
Skills @ Work – Christmas closure
Please be advised that the Department of Industry, the home of Skills @ Work, will close at COB 24 December 2013 and will reopen on 2 January 2014. The next edition of Skills @ Work will be distributed in early February 2014.
The whole team wishes you and yours a safe and relaxing break, and thanks you for your readership and contributions this year. We hope to see you all again in 2014!
Training packages news
Innovation and Business Skills Australia (ISBA) training packages endorsed
A number of Innovation and Business Skills Australia (ISBA) training packages and qualifications were endorsed at the October 2013 National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) meeting:
Negotiating the changing landscapes of WHS and training packages
The recent harmonising of work health and safety laws, combined with the NSSC’s new Standards for Training Packages, has created challenges for Industry Skills Councils and training providers alike. Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) is working hard to negotiate these changing landscapes in a timely and efficient manner. Visit the website to find out more.
Innovative approach to music plus screen and media
IBSA recently embarked on an innovative approach for the review of training packages by combining the review into the CUS-Music and CUF-Screen and Media into one review convened by a National Project Reference Group (NPRG). The NPRG had their first face-to-face meeting on 15 November 2013. The members on the NPRG represent a broad cross-section of music and screen and media industry stakeholders. Visit the website to find out more on this innovative approach and how to get involved.
MSA launches new furnishing training package (MSF)
The NSSC endorsed MSF’s Furnishing training package on 7 November 2013. This new training package has been comprehensively revised to meet industry needs and to fully meet the new NSSC Standards for Training Packages. For detailed information on changes and advice on equivalences, refer to the MSF Implementation Guide available on the MSA website.
- MSF qualifications: Packaging rules for MSF qualifications are clear and consistent and allow a logical progression of skills development between AQF levels to support career
- MSF units of competency: The revised and new units detail comprehensive performance and knowledge evidence specific to the performance criteria. Advice on the context of and specific resources for assessment, and suitable methods of assessment are provided in each case.
- Coding and implementation issues: All MSF units and qualifications have been assigned new codes to comply with the NSSC Training Package development policies. However, it should be noted that where the workplace outcome of the individual units of competency or the overall outcome of replacement qualifications have not changed, the new components have been deemed equivalent to the previous components.
To assist implementation, a detailed mapping of LMF02 to MSF components, advice on assessment, foundation skills, employability skills and other important supporting information is provided in the MSF Furnishing training package implementation guide.
For more information on the changes, contact Barbara Wallace, MSA Training Products Manager, on 02 6287 2051, mobile 0416 247 884 or email. The training package will be released on training.gov.au by 31 December 2013.
Service Skills Australia – SIT12 version 2 implementation guidance
The SIT12 Tourism, Travel and Hospitality training package was endorsed at the 9 October 2013 NSSC endorsement meeting and released onto training.gov.au on 11 October 2013.
Since the release of SIT12 v2, SSA has produced the following fact sheets to assist RTOs understand and implement the changes:
- SIT12 v2 Updated first aid unit
- SIT12 v2 Updates to hospitality qualifications
- SITHFAB201 Provide responsible service of alcohol assessment guidance.
To download these fact sheets, or for further information regarding the release of SIT12 version 2 and future continuous improvement activities, including the transition of the training package to the Standards for Training Packages, please visit Service Skills Australia’s SIT12 Project Page.
Service Skills Australia – Beauty training package consultation – thanks!
Service Skills Australia (SSA) would like to thank those who attended the Beauty training package consultation workshops during October and November. Your input and feedback has been greatly appreciated.
Industry feedback was valuable for gaining input into the existing and newly developed beauty qualifications and competency standards.
Feedback on the draft qualifications and units of competency has now closed.
For further information please email Service Skills Australia’s Lauren Hosking or Liz Petrovic.
Service Skills Australia – SIS Sport, Fitness and Recreation training package: review and transition to Standards for Training Packages
SSA is updating the Sport, Fitness and Recreation training package to ensure reflection of current industry workplace skills and compliance with the Standards for Training Packages (the Standards).
SSA’s goal is for all sectors of the training package to meet the Standards by December 2015. The first stage of the project includes the revision of existing Fitness and Community Recreation qualifications and units of competency.
Sector Reference Groups
Sector Reference Groups including a range of industry stakeholders are guiding the development of the first draft of the updated training package. This will ensure the training package is of high-quality and reflects the needs of industry.
Industry workshops
The first draft of the revised fitness qualifications and units will be ready for consultation workshops in February 2014. To increase industry participation in workshops, SSA will hold workshops in all major capital cities.
The first draft of the revised community recreation qualifications and units will be ready for consultation workshops in March 2014. To increase industry participation, breakfast consultation workshops are planned for the draft review stage.
How do I get involved?
Consultation workshop dates are currently being finalised. To ensure that you do not miss out on your chance to be involved, please register on SSA’s database to receive updates and monthly newsletters. Stakeholders will receive an e-newsblast communicating the dates.
Visit SSA's website for the latest information.
SkillsDMC – Resources and Infrastructure Industry (RII) training package now on training.gov.au
Following its endorsement by the NSSC on 9 October 2013, the Resources and Infrastructure Industry (RII) training package is now available on training.gov.au. The package will continue to be enhanced through the input of industry and stakeholders through the continuous improvement register.
Engagement with industry and extensive analysis of industry needs has resulted in a training package with more rigorous assessor and assessment requirements, supporting a shift towards demand-driven training. SkillsDMC acknowledges the industry leadership and participation and broader contributions to the realisation of the new RII training package.
Visit the SkillsDMC website for more information on the RII training package including FAQs, fact sheets and companion volumes.
Faces of Excellence
Featuring winners of the 2013 Australian Training Awards
Individual winners
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Lifetime Achievement AwardAlbert Evans AO, New South Wales |
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Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year AwardJoel Schwarz, Victoria |
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Vocational Student of the Year AwardKate Cross, Victoria |
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year AwardMarkeeta Douglas, New South Wales |
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Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year AwardAshlee Hodson, New South Wales |
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Australian Apprentice of the Year AwardPatrick Janes, Victoria |
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VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year AwardJacky Cheng, Western Australia |
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Leadership in VET Quality AwardPaul Rasmussen, Queensland |
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Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice AwardRos Bauer, Northern Territory |
Business categories
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Small Employer of the Year AwardDayshelf Fire Systems, Queensland |
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Employer of the Year AwardCrown Melbourne, Victoria |
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Australian Apprenticeships - Employer AwardThiess Pty Ltd, Queensland |
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Industry Collaboration AwardAustralian Racing and Equine Academy, New South Wales |
Registered Training Organisation categories
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Small Training Provider of the Year AwardHelp Enterprises, Queensland |
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Large Training Provider of the Year AwardTAFE NSW – South Western Sydney Institute, New South Wales |
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International Training Provider of the Year AwardBox Hill Institute, Victoria |
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Skills for Sustainability – Educational Institution AwardGreen Business Audit & Training, South Australia |
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School Pathways to VET AwardSouthern Cross Catholic Vocational College, New South Wales |
Upcoming events
Service Skills Australia 2014 Conference and Excellence Awards – early bird registrations now open!
3–4 March 2014
Sydney, New South Wales
Registrations are now open for the Service Skills Australia 2014 Conference, to be held at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney from 3–4 March 2014.
The conference will bring together over 250 employers, employees, industry bodies, training organisations and government representatives from the service sectors to discuss strategies for working collaboratively to increase the productivity and participation of the workforce in the service industries.
The conference format will include keynote presentations, plenary sessions, guest panels and sector specialised breakout sessions addressing the conference theme: Engage, Empower, Excel – Connecting skills and workforce.
The Service Skills Australia 2014 Conference is the stage where industry, enterprises and the vocational education and training system come together to work collaboratively to promote and champion meaningful workforce outcomes.
Nominations have also opened for the Service Skills Australia Excellence Awards, which will be presented at the Conference Gala Dinner on Monday 3 March 2014.
There are two award categories open for nominations: the Trainer Excellence Award; and the Industry Collaboration/Partnership Award. Nominations close on 20 December 2013.
For more information on the conference and awards, including the awards nomination criteria, please visit the conference website.
Go online to register now and take advantage of the discounted early bird rates!
VET Summit returns with a brand new format in 2014!
29 April 2014, Brisbane
5 May 2014, Melbourne
12 May 2014, Sydney
Velg Training’s 2014 VET Summit dates have been released for registration, along with a new program format targeted at Registered Training Organisation (RTO) staff that will allow for more in-depth content and interaction.
The 2014 VET Summit dates and locations are:
- 29 April, Brisbane (Hilton)
- 5 May, Melbourne (Hilton on the Park)
- 12 May, Sydney (Sheraton on the Park)
Events will consist of two streams, one for trainers and assessors; and the other dedicated to RTO managers. Attendees will be given the opportunity to choose between two registration options, which both include a combined keynote session:
- Option 1: a stream only registration allowing participants access to one stream of their choice, either trainer and assessor; or RTO manager
- Option 2: a combined registration allowing movement between streams, which will include video recordings for every single session (over the two streams) following the event, sent electronically.
Presenters at the 2014 VET Summit will include:
- Laurie Kelly, Director and Senior Presenter, Mindworks Australasia
- John Dwyer, Consultant with Velg Training
- Kerri Buttery, Consultant and Member Resource Developer with Velg Training
- John Price, Consultant with Velg Training
- Angela McGregor-Goodwin, Owner and Principal Consultant of RTO Consultant
- Carol Hunter, Principal of RTO Services and Consulting.
This event is a pre-approved professional development opportunity as part of Service Skills Australia’s Right Way Program for trainers and assessors, and has been allocated 30 points.
For more information on the 2014 VET Summit program, please visit the Summit website.
2014 Training Providers Forum – call for sponsors and exhibitors
19–20 May 2014
Perth, Western Australia
The 2014 Training Providers Forum will be held at Crown Perth on 19–20 May 2014. Western Australia’s leading forum on training and workforce development will feature a range of keynotes, workshops and exhibitors. If you would like to become an exhibitor or sponsor please email Diane McLaren from the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development.
2014 WorldSkills Australia National Competition
The 2014 WorldSkills Australia National Competition will be held at Perth Convention Exhibition Centre from 18–20 September 2014. The three day event will see over 500 of Australia’s most talented students, trainees and apprentices, from 30 regions, battle it out for gold medal success and the prestigious title of ‘Australia’s Best’ in their chosen skill or trade. The 2014 national
competitors, selected from the 2013 round of regional competition winners, will be announced early next year.
For more information visit the WorldSkills Australia website.
Resources
New practice aptitude quizzes available – water and printing industries
The Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships Information Service now publish 29 industry-based practice aptitude quizzes. These career development resources are designed to generally illustrate the literacy, comprehension and numeracy levels required of people undertaking entry level training in a relevant qualification.
Two new quizzes – printing industry and water industry – have been added to the quiz collection. Please visit one of the following AAT Information Service websites to download the quizzes in PDF format:
For more information, contact the AAT Information Service on 1800 338 022 or contact@aatinfo.com.au.
AuSkills Smartphone app – your interactive guide to trade and skills
The AuSkills mobile/web application (app) serves as a careers search resource for careers advisors and job seekers. The purpose of the app is to provide job matching support and comprehensive, interactive and engaging information to users interested in an Australian apprenticeship.
The app is powered through a basic search tool which allows users to follow a step-by-step process which will match them with a potential career pathway based on interests, perceived skills, subjects studied at school and geographical location (if applicable).
Included in the AuSkills app are profiles of a wide range of trades and skills, engaging videos of people working in the industry, a snapshot of potential career opportunities and links to information of over 4000 vocational education and training courses being offered around Australia.
The AuSkills app is available for download through Google Play and is soon to be released on the Apple a iTunes app store. You can also use it online at http://auskillsapp.com.
For more information, please scan the QR code below:
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VOCEDplus – latest research on VET, skills and workforce development issues
With VOCEDplus you can stay in touch with current research, policy and practice across a broad range of areas affecting the VET sector in Australia and internationally.
Free access
Produced by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and funded by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, VOCEDplus is a free online resource offering international coverage of issues as well as an Australian focus. It currently holds over 57,000 entries, many providing instant access to full text via your desktop, with around 400 new titles added each month. Where possible, NCVER will supply items as requested according to its Conditions of use.
You can search VOCEDplus using basic or advanced search or browse options. Topics covered include:
- teaching and learning in the tertiary sector
- assessment
- professional development for practitioners
- labour market trends
- the relationships between education and work
- skills and workforce development needs
- pathways between VET and higher education
- education industry partnerships in education and training
- social inclusion
Find out what’s new
- subscribe to New Titles or Twitter on home page for automated notifications
- subscribe to VOCEDplus Highlights
- subscribe to specific RSS feeds wherever you see the ‘Subscribe’ symbol
- ‘purpose build’ feeds on your own topics, e.g. a feed on practitioners in VET can be set up in your browser using the following steps:
- From the Home Page click on Advanced Search
- Add the words practitioners to the top search box
- Click on the drop down menu and select the Title field
- Click on Search
- Click on Providers of education and training in the Subject facet box on the left of the results page
- Click on your browser’s RSS icon and subscribe to the feed.
VOCEDplus services
- Expert reference service – for details visit the Client Services Charter or Ask a Librarian
- Citation tool – My Selection acts like a shopping cart, select records from search results or full record pages, email or save records in formats (e.g. author-date citation modelled on the Harvard style; tagged format for import into EndNote)
- Value added products – these include:
- Current and archived NCVER statistics via Statistical Resources
- User guides
- Subject guides
- VET online glossary
- Special collections, e.g. National landmark reports; Pathways support for practitioners.
To find out more, visit VOCEDplus.
Government Skills Australia (GSA) – foundation skills resources
GSA has recently completed a range foundation skills resources to support the development of learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy in work and training contexts.
The resources include:
- Industry-specific foundation skills brochures outlining the current FS policy initiatives and the key foundation skill demands within that industry at a range of employment levels e.g. low–mid–high level ‘core’ skills demands across a range of work roles
- A suite of 11 short videos highlighting the need for specific core skills across a range of industries e.g. Reading Procedures and Instructions in the Workplace, Oral Communication Skills for Workplace Meetings, Numeracy Skills for Creating Tables, Graphs and Charts
- A Professional development resource – Facilitator Guide to outline a background to foundation skills initiatives, strategies to address foundation skills issues in a range of work and training contexts and industry-specific foundation skills data on the foundation skills demands of units of competency.
Please visit the website to download the resources or email a request for a printed copy.
Professional development resource – Meeting the Foundation Skills Demands of Training and Work
GSA has developed Meeting the Foundation Skills Demands of Training and Work as a professional development resource to raise awareness of foundation skills issues amongst workers and learners in the Australian context. Its primary aim is to support the key messages outlined in a range of foundation skills documents developed by GSA to support the newly endorsed foundation skills training package.
The guide is accompanied by short videos that build awareness of the language, literacy and numeracy or ‘core’ skill demands of tasks embedded in work roles within the government and community safety industries.
Vocational course developers, trainers and assessors are provided with information about how to identify the foundation skills embedded in both work and training contexts. They are easily disguised in a variety of tasks and roles so often go unnoticed. It also offers some strategies to develop an understanding of what foundation skills are, where they can be found and how they can be addressed in practical terms.
You can view and download the resource from GSA’s website.
Events Alive – event management toolbox
With so many events coming up in the new year, it’s timely to consider the Events Alive Flexible Learning Toolbox.
Event management is an increasingly popular course of study, largely due to the focus on business management skills in a high pressure, project-driven environment.
In addition to major events, there is an increasing reliance on events as a source of revenue and promotion for not-for-profit organisations, local councils, industry, and community-based organisations. Many event organisations are micro to medium sized businesses, and training will become critical in this sector to remain sustainable and competitive, particularly in regional areas.
A major source of recruits for this industry is owner/manager roles. Recognised training needs will be in customer service and best practice, information technology, compliance, risk and human resource management. Community events and festivals, which play a vital role in regional Australia, also require skills development to sustain and grow these events. The skills identified include risk management and business planning.
Events Alive covers four units of competency from the Tourism, Hospitality and Event training package. Three of the units chosen are new units developed for this recently endorsed training package.
You can order the 11.08 Events Alive toolbox by visiting the online shop.
New one-stop-shop for digital content
Teachers and trainers who are new to e-learning, or those already using e-learning content developed through the National VET E-learning Strategy, are set to benefit from the newly launched National VET Content website.
This new site brings together thousands of freely available learning objects from the following national collections: Flexible Learning Toolboxes, Generic Skills, E-learning Innovations, Industry Integration of
E-learning, and the National Digital Learning Resources Network.
You can find out more by visiting the website.
Manufacturing Skills Australian (MSA) – have you seen the new literacy and numeracy resources?
MSA’s Putting the Jigsaw Together numeracy resources and the Making the Connections workshop for vocational education and training (VET) trainers have proved to be extremely popular. Over 900 RTOs, individual trainers and educators nationally have accessed the resources since their release. Putting the Jigsaw Together is designed as a series of tool kits to support VET trainers with practical strategies to assist apprentices to develop their numeracy skills. Making the Connections is a two day workshop providing the key concepts of language, literacy and numeracy and foundation skills in VET training. Identifying core skills in a unit of competency and working with the Australian Core Skills Framework is included in the resource.
These resources are now available for FREE download at mskills.com.au. For further information contact:
Kathy Higgs, MSA Foundation Skills Project Officer, on 02 9955 5500 or via email.
OR
Bernadette Shiel, MSA Marketing and Communications Manager, on 02 9955 5500, mobile 0410 912 896 or via email.
Join the Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) VET Community
IBSA’s VET Community has been designed specifically for VET practitioners to provide a space to connect and share with others in our industry. You can read all about what’s going on at IBSA through the forums, discuss VET issues, create your own blog or just explore and enjoy reading all about it! For more information and to join, visit the IBSA VET Community website.
VET Capability Framework launched in November
The Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) VET Capability Framework was launched in November. The framework has been developed to support high quality professional practice in the VET sector. IBSA believes the VET Capability Framework is the way forward to address professional development options and capability gaps for VET practitioners.
Please visit the IBSA website for more information.
Free ISC foundation skills resources now in one place
On behalf of the WELL/Foundation Skills network, IBSA has compiled into a single repository all the free foundation skills resources developed by each of the Industry Skills Councils to support VET practitioners. We hope you find it useful, and we look forward to any feedback.
Please visit the website for more information and to access the resources.
New training resource assessment model
smallPRINT and Catapult eLearning will be launching their new independently reviewed assessment model in 2014.
The new product:
- covers both formative and summative assessments
- contains new observation checklists and supplementary evidence gathering tools
- contains a pre-assessment component
- provides specific, comprehensive instructions for learners and assessors
- is complemented by our free online customisation/ contextualisation tool.
The new model has been developed in consultation with a number of VET industry stakeholders, with a focus being placed on compliance.
Catapult eLearning has created new tablet compatible resources which comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA standard.
smallPRINT and Catapult have recently conducted a national roadshow series to showcase the new training resource model and product updates. The presentation from these sessions was also run as a webinar; a recording of the webinar is now available for viewing.
For further information please visit www.smallprint.com.au or www.catapult-elearning.com
Contact smallPRINT at marketing@smallprint.com.au or Catapult eLearning at info@catapult-elearning.com
Adult literacy training resources
The Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) program provides funding for the development of resources and strategic projects to support the development of adult English language, literacy and numeracy skills aligned to accredited training packages and units of competency. WELL resources that have been developed include assessment tools, companion documents supporting the delivery of units of competency, and online and interactive learning modules. Many target Indigenous or culturally and linguistically diverse learners. WELL resources have been developed across all industries and several have received awards for best practice in resource design. A list of these resources and information about how to access them is available on the LiteracyNet website.
The biannual e-newsletter, Doing WELL with WELL Resources, alerts subscribers to newly completed WELL resources. If you would like to receive this newsletter, please send an email to adult.literacy@industry.gov.au with your contact details.
Useful links
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.
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.
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.
LiteracyNet - information about Australian adult literacy activities and links to a range of additional program, professional development, resource and research sites (including training programs).
National Skills Standards Council
National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)
Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships Information
Contributions, feedback and subscription requests
If you would like to provide feedback or supply an article for inclusion in the next edition, or join our list of subscribers, please email skillsatwork@industry.gov.au. The next edition of Skills @ Work will be published in February 2014. Submissions are due by 17 January 2014.
