As we look forward to winding down over the Christmas/New Year period, when I reflect on our 2017 achievements (outlined further in this newsletter) there are some people I would like to particularly thank:

• DNPSR for their support and encouragement during the implementation of the e-learning portal, delivery of BACW workshops and the 2017 NPSR conference
• DET for their guidance in our VET engagement role and SQW projects
• Our industry RTOs, employers and other industry contacts that support our work by providing advice and intelligence
• Our members and grassroots sport and recreation clubs for using our services and being involved in our SQW programs
• QFSR Skills Alliance Board for their support and advice throughout the year
• QFSR Skills Alliance staff for making our strategic aims and objectives happen on the ground – in particular our SQW trainers and support staff - special mention to Jared, Garry and Chris our SQW WST project supervisors/manager for their leadership and strong partnerships with the local councils and sport and rec clubs, and mentorship and support of our trainees

Most recently we have had the privilege of attending the annual QORF awards and the Queensland Sports Awards.  We would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners nominated in these awards, particularly the volunteers and those who give so much of their own time to their sport and recreation organisations.  It is wonderful to see everyone’s achievements recognised and celebrated.

Since our last newsletter we have had a State Government election.  During this time QFSR Skills Alliance developed a Policy Platform advocating skills and training as a priority for our industry’s workforce.   We look forward to continuing working with the incoming Queensland Government on programs and services that benefit our industries, including grassroots organisations and their employees (both paid and unpaid).

In 2017, the QFSR Skills Alliance Board commenced an independent strategic review of our operations.  As a result in 2018 we eagerly anticipate what the new strategic direction brings.  Stay tuned.

Finally our office will be closed from 22 December 2016 to 5 January 2017.  On behalf of QFSR Skills Alliance I wish all of you and your staff a very merry and safe Christmas and New Year.  See you all in 2018.

Deb Crompton
CEO

In 2017, QFSR Skills Alliance is proud of the following achievements:

• Implementation of the SQW, Community Work Skills, Building Strong Working Women project – this project has assisted 37 women towards achieving a Certificate II in Business, job search and  further employment
• Continuation of the SQW Ipswich WST projects – 29 trainees have worked on ICC recreation spaces at Blackstone, Kholo, White Rock and the Marburg Show Grounds and race track and achieved a Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management
• Continuation of the SQW Sunshine Coast WST project – 45 trainees have worked on numerous SCC sites and local sport clubs and achieved a Certificate I in Construction
• Successfully fulfilled our VET Engagement role by providing advice on the VET Investment Plan, industry VET health checks, business case facilitation, other research and advice
• Delivery of DNPSR BACW governance and financial management workshops  across a number of regional sites, and the plan, prepare, perform conference
• Successful implementation of our new e-learning portal
• Development of learning resources and guidebooks to add to our suite of products
• Commencement of webinars to provide another mode of training delivery
• Judge for the 2017 Queensland Training Awards
• Our selection on the national Sport and Rec Industry Reference Committee and involvement in the Racing Industry Reference Committee
• Our participation in national training package reviews

SkillsIQ are undertaking the 2018 Industry Skills Forecast Survey – a national survey to look at workforce and skills issues and gain your feedback.

The deadline has been extended until Friday 15th December!

The survey is open to all stakeholders operating in the sectors supported by SkillsIQ, including employers, employees, associations & peak bodies, training providers and others.

Please take the time and have say (it takes approximately 10 minutes).

Click the link here.

Have you started to think about how you can kick start 2018 on the front foot?  Well, turn that thought bubble into action - there are a number of ways QFSR Skills Alliance can help you:

Renew your QFSR Skills Alliance membership for 2018 – click here for membership forms - members have automatic access to our newsletters and club central resources.

Undertake a staff training needs analysis plan for 2018 – QFSR Skills Alliance can help you undertake an organisations training needs analysis and provide advice and options on how to help your employees and volunteers gain the skills and training they need to perform their job or role.  Visit https://skillsalliance.com.au/advice-training/

Health Check – Is your organisation in a strong governance position?  Why not let us help you with an organisational Health Check.  Contact us on 07 3367 0833 for more information.

Grants and Funding – keep up to date on what grant and funding may be available through our website at https://skillsalliance.com.au/grants/.  Need help to write that grant?  We can help you do that too – contact us on 07 3367 0833.

Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) – The ASF was established by the Federal Government in 1986 with the mission to raise money for Australian sport.  The ASF has helped clubs and organisations from the grassroots and community level, to professional and elite national level, and individual athletes to fundraise for sport.  Check out what they do and how the ASF can help you fundraise for your club.

Need work done on your club facilities or grounds (Sunshine Coast and Ipswich areas) – our SQW WST project can help you get work done on your club by providing the labour component of the work.  Our past projects have worked on painting, renewing kitchens and change rooms, fencing, landscaping, installing BBQ areas and benches etc.  Contact us on 07 3367 0833 for more information.

The Australian Training Awards are the peak national awards for the vocational education and training sector—​recognising individuals, businesses and registere​d training organisations for their contribution to skilling Australia.

Congratulations to all the Queensland winners recently announced at the Australian Training Awards on 23 November:

• Australian Apprentice of the Year - Gemma Hartwig
• Small Employer of the Year - Tradesmen on Time
• Medium Employer of the Year - Darwalla Group
• Large Employer of the Year - Hutchinson Builders

These Queensland winners emmanated from the Queensland Training Awards process throughout 2017.

If you are an RTO, employer or trainee in our industry who has achieved success, best practice and innovation in vocational education and training (VET), then why not tell your story through the 2018 Queensland Training Awards process.  Nominations are now open.  For more information visit https://training.qld.gov.au/qta

As a Queensland employer, don't forget there are a range of initiatives to provide support for employers who hire a long-term unemployed or young unemployed jobseekers.  If you will be hiring in 2018, why not take these into consideration.

Back to Work South East Queensland

From 1 July 2017, the Queensland Government’s $27.5 million Back to Work South East Queensland program will provide support for employers who hire a long term unemployed or young unemployed jobseeker in the South East Queensland region.

Employer Support and Youth Boost Payments will be available for employers who hire an eligible jobseeker between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018 (subject to the availability of funds). 

Back to Work Regional Employer Support Payment

The Back to Work Regional Program’s Guidelines and Terms and Conditions have been updated and will take effect from 1 July 2017.  From 1 July 2017, each eligible employer may apply for a maximum of five Back to Work Regional Employer Support applications.

Youth Boost Payments

The Youth Boost payment is available for eligible jobseekers between 1 December 2016 and 30 June 2018. Visit the Youth Boost Payment page for funding and eligibility information.

Work Start Incentive

Work Start incentives form part of Skilling Queenslanders for Work. The incentive program aims to encourage traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities for people who have participated in a Skilling Queenslanders for Work program and already gained skills.  Work Start provides a one-off incentive payment of $10,000 to private sector employers who employ people in a traineeship or apprenticeship who have recently undertaken a Community Work Skills, Work Skills Traineeships, Ready for Work, Get Set for Work or Youth Skills program.

Tell us what you think about the Queensland Government’s Annual VET Investment Plan.  In early 2018, QSFR Skills Alliance will be providing advice to the Queensland Government on the 2017-2018 VIP.  If you are an RTO or employer that have any issues or feedback about the funded qualifications, subsidy level etc. then please email jo.chiu@skillsalliance.com.au

Our SQW WST Ipswich project has been doing some maintenance work at the Marburg Showgrounds for the Marburg Pacing Association.  In appreciation of the work they have done, the Pacing Association named some of their races on Saturday November 18 after our project supervisor and participants.  Well done everyone!  And thank you to the Marburg Pacing Association for your support.  We are chuffed!

• Race 2 Jared Wolff's Skills Alliance Team Gave You The Best Venue Pace 1850m
• Race 6 Marburg To Albion S/A (Skills Alliance) Girls Katie Angie Maddison Tracey - Heat One 2200m
• Race 7 Marburg To Albion S/A (Skills Alliance) Boys Roy a Stephen Bevino Nick Alan Zach - Heat two

This project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program.

My Skills website is an Australian Government initiative to ensure training consumers have access to current, straightforward, independent and trustworthy Information to help them make choices about their training options.  As the national directory of vocational education and training (VET) organisations and courses, My Skills strives to improve the quality and accessibility of information available for VET consumers and provides the ability to search for, and compare, VET courses and training providers.

My Skills has had a facelift - so click here for information about the sports and recreation industry, occupations and careers.

Following a Review of the National Vocational Education and Training (VET) Provider Collection Data Requirements Policy, which outlines the data collection and submission requirements for total VET activity, Skills Ministers have agreed to a revised National VET Data Policy (the Policy).

The Policy takes effect from 1 January 2018 with a six-month transition period until 1 July 2018.

The key changes for RTOs include:

• required changes to enrolment forms to include a specific privacy notice and student declaration
• minor changes to the AVETMISS Validation Software (AVS) to acknowledge reading the VET data use and RTO declaration and understanding statement
• a reduction of some reporting exemptions for community service organisations and RTOs delivering short courses.

For more information visit the Australian Government Department of Education and Training’s website.

If you just can’t switch off during the break, here are some links to interesting articles related to our industry and VET:

Perceptions are not reality – Skilling Australia Foundation

Intergenerational Review of Australian Sport 2017 - Boston Consulting Group for the Australian Sports Commission (2017)

Skilling for tomorrow - NCVER - file:///I:/Research-Policy/2017/Skilling-for-tomorrow%20-%20NCVER.pdf

Employers’ use and views of the VET system 2017 - NCVER - file:///I:/Research-Policy/2017/Employers-use-and-views-of-the-VET-system-2017.pdf

Brisbane City Council's Healthy and Physical Activity Grants provide funding to local not-for-profit community groups for projects to increase participation in community sport, recreation and physical activity in Brisbane.

Projects that achieve one or more of the following criteria may be eligible for funding:

• to increase community participation in sporting and recreational activities through innovative programs and activities
• to increase the community's health through participation in physical activity
• to support community organisations to develop new sport and recreation opportunities in Brisbane
• to generate long-term, ongoing participation in physical activity.
• Funding amounts range from $5,000 to $20,000.

Applications for this grant are now open and will close at midnight on Monday, 26 February 2018.

If you are a sporting club that needs assistance with grant writing we are here to help! Call us to discuss your needs.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Finally, please allow us to keep you up to date and informed on the workforce development issues and efforts of our industry and our latest training and consultancy services by “Liking” us on Facebook and “Following” us on twitter.

Skills Alliance Facebook Page 

Twitter