On 1 July the DEST took on its new role as both a leader and partner in the national training system. To view the Department’s new staff structure go to: http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/training_skills/policy_issues_reviews/key_issues/anta/contacts.htm
As the legislation to support the new system has yet to be passed by Parliament, MINCO Ministers agreed that the ANTA Board would delegate its powers to the Secretary of DEST. The delegation came into effect on 1 July 2005. There should be no interruption to the administration of the national training system and the transfer of ANTA functions to DEST has gone ahead as planned.
Decisions of the ANTA Ministerial Council and subsidiary bodies remain in force and DEST now manages contracts ANTA had in place before 1 July 2005.
A new website has been developed to help employers and training providers manage the reduction in Australia’s pool of available labour and cope with the new and emerging employment market.
The site provides information for training providers and employers, brochures, management tools and a resource kit for training providers. To access the “Valuing older workers” website, go to:
http://www.valuingolderworkers.gov.au/ 
The Australian Government has introduced the Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship to help ease the burden faced by New Apprentices in their first years if training.
The scholarship will be provided to New Apprentices employed by a small or medium sized business, in a trade experiencing skill needs. Eligible New Apprentices receive a $1,000 tax exempt scholarship, paid in two $500 instalments at the end of each of the first and second years of the New Apprenticeship.
For more information on the Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship, go to: http://www.newapprenticeships.gov.au/
NCVER will host a forum to share the findings of key research on Indigenous VET issues in Adelaide on the 3rd and 4th August 2005. The research is part of a comprehensive program that aims to contribute to the vision and objectives of Partners in a Learning Culture, Australia’s national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy for vocational education and training 2000 – 2005.
David Rathman OAM, Executive Director of the Aboriginal Education and Employment Services Unit of the South Australian Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Training will facilitate the forum.
Registration is $310.00 for the full forum. For more information, visit www.ncver.edu.au
NCVER has released 2004 statistics on participation in Australia’s vocational education and training system. Copies of the summary publication
Australian Vocational Education and Training Statistics – Students and Courses are available at:
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1595.html This edition of Australian Training Fast Facts is also available in
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