MINISTER’S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Applications for the Minister’s Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices are now open. The closing date for the employer awards category is 18 April 2008. Applications can be downloaded on the website    or contact your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre.

2008 AUSTRALIAN TRAINING AWARDS

The 2008 Australian Training Awards will be held at the Darwin Convention Centre on 20 November at 7pm.
For more information visit www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au

SKILLS AUSTRALIA

As part of the Australian Government’s Skilling Australia for the Future policy, a new independent statutory body entitled Skills Australia will be established to provide advice on current and future demand for skills and investment of public funds in training.  A key priority for the body will be to signal to the Government and industry important changes of direction required in VET services and the labour market generally to maintain workforce participation and to grow productivity. 

Where are we at?
The Government is fast-tracking the establishment of Skills Australia in order to help lift the productive capacity of the Australian economy and fight inflation.  New legislation to establish Skills Australia has been brought before Parliament as a priority. The Skills Australia Bill 2008 was introduced into the House of Representatives on 13 February 2008. The Skills Australia legislation establishes the operational arrangements to support the independent body. 

The Skills Australia Bill second reading speech is located at: http://parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au/piweb/Repository/Chamber/Hansardr/Linked/5694-3.PDF

INDUSTRY SERVICE ALLIANCE IS PLEASED TO BE OFFERING A SERIES OF DYNAMIC WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT 2008

Due to the overwhelming response to hold and Employability Skills Workshop in Brisbane – this is now available.

Also we have additional locations for all 4 workshops. 

Workshops for VET staff 2008 – Register now!!!

ISA is pleased to be offering a series of dynamic workshops throughout 2008.  Registration is open now and places are limited so book fast to avoid disappointment. 

Workshop 1 – Understanding and Interpreting Employability Skills

• The purpose of employability skills contained within units of competency.
• A step-by-step approach to understanding and interpreting employability skills.

Workshop 2 - The Inspirational Presenter

Workshop 3 - Is LLN really that hard?

• How to identify students who may require assistance
• How to assess LLN levels
• What to do with students who display LLN difficulties
• Approaching assistance from within (how to go about it)
• Referring externally (your choices for external referrals)

About the Presenter

Workshop 4 - Breaching the Generational Gap

Fees

Enquiries

AQTF 2007 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT REGISTER

In line with continuous improvement which underpins the AQTF 2007, the National Quality Council resolved that all six AQTF 2007 National guidelines would be subject to a review after implementation, based on feedback from stakeholders.

To assist in achieving continuous improvement of the AQTF 2007 national guidelines and documents, we are now seeking feedback from VET stakeholders on these documents. This is a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to comment and identify amendments to the national guidelines that may need to occur. Comments may include:

• suggested editorial changes
• requirements for additional clarity or
• identifying challenges in consistency of interpretation

YOUNGER VET LEADERS FORUM

The VET sector, like many industries, is facing issues with succession planning, attraction, recruitment and retention.

Research undertaken through NCVER by the consortium identified that issues affecting the VET sector are “…trends [such as] the casualised and aging character of the workforce, a broadening of the type of employees considered part of the VET workforce and changes to the nature of work in the sector.” (pg. 15, No one grows up saying they want to work in the VET sector, do they?  A study of career pathways in VET    )

Currently, career and succession planning remains solely the responsibility of individual organisations within the VET sector.  Whilst organisations need to play their part, many practitioners and professionals move between different types of RTOs and VET related agencies.  Career pathways aren’t linear in VET and the number of younger VET leaders is noticeably low.

In a very practical way, a forum will be held (linked to an existing VET event) to share ideas, thinking and discuss the potential for a network of Generation X and Y up and coming or current VET leaders.

Please refer colleagues from your networks to express an interest via email wendy@wpaa.com.au if interested in meeting with like minded colleagues.

AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE LEARNING FRAMEWORK

Western Australian E-learning Innovations funding

The Australian Flexible Learning Framework has made available $510,000 in funding for registered training organisations (RTOs), business and industry to develop E-learning Innovations projects in Western Australia.

Western Australian E-learning Innovations Application Guidelines are available at http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/wa. Applications close on 4 April 2008.

You can attend one of the following Framework funding and application process information sessions:

• 9.30 -11.30am on 5 March 2008
• 9.30 -11.30am on 11 March 2008
• 1.30 - 3.30pm on 11 March 2008 (this will be an online information session, via virtual conferencing (Elluminate) for regional RTOs).

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING FOR REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATIONS

VET has an important role in underpinning workforce development strategies, and for Registered Training Organisations (RTO) it provides a dual opportunity.  Internally it enables the analysis of the current RTO workforce, definition of the desired workforce, gap analysis and prioritisation.  This includes an opportunity to practice the process, use smart tools and develop specific workforce development and planning competencies within the RTO’s capability.  In an enterprise and industry context, it enables RTO’s to position themselves as workforce development partners and extends the delivery of training and assessment services. 
“Moving to a workforce development view within RTO’s gives VET products and services a higher level application.  In workforce development and planning terms, we talk about defining the state of the current workforce, the future desired state of the workforce, analysing the gaps, and implementing a plan to get there.

Profiling individual, team and organisational capabilities against units of competency, provides a comprehensive picture of the skills base across the workforce.  Using Skills Recognition (RPL) to formalise current competencies and the training needs analysis process to identify and prioritise development gaps against job roles, ensures that any training is relevant, individualized and meets organisational needs.

RTO’s need to do this for themselves, in parallel with positioning as a workforce development partner – its fantastic practice and demonstrates a commitment to workforce development and planning.” (Wendy Perry, Managing Director, Workforce BluePrint)

Workforce BluePrint has a new Workforce Development and Planning for RTO’s program as well as a range of resources, papers and models that details workforce development approaches and how to position as a workforce development partner.
For more information on Workforce Development and Planning for Registered Training Organisations, contact Workforce BluePrint on 08 8387 9800, email info@workforceblueprint.com.au, web site www.workforceblueprint.com.au

BSB07 BUSINESS SERVICES TRAINING PACKAGE – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

IBSA invites you to a professional development program on BSB07.  Four separate workshops comprising an overview and 3 specialist workshops are available and you may attend all or any of these workshops.  These workshops are scheduled to be held in each state and territory.

For further information, visit the IBSA website; or contact Innovation and Business Skills Australia:
Web     www.ibsa.org.au/content/latestnews/BSB07_PD.html
Phone   03 9815 7000
Email    rosie@ibsa.org.au

VETnetwork NATIONAL CONFERENCE

1-3 October 2008, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
Registration forms will soon be available on www.vetnetwork.org.au or by emailing vetnetwork@vetnetwork.org.au.  The program includes keynote speakers Jim Bright, Matt Church and Michael McQueen. Leading practitioners and their VET partners will provide workshops in the area of Policy and Strategies of State and National Significance; Industry and Employer Focused Examples of Practice; Partnership Focus – Case Studies in Practice.  Facilitated tours and short courses will offer delegates the chance to gain current industry experiences. A number of inspirational young people will tell their VET stories. Panels session will provide thought provoking discussion. Don’t miss the trade displays and of course the social functions.  VETnetwork Australia is grateful to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the NSW Department of Education and Training, and Group Training Australia for their support.

FAST FACTS SUBSCRIPTION

Tell a colleague or a friend

Australian Training Fast Facts, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relation’s fortnightly one-page newsletter, has a new format, and subscription and delivery system.

If you know anyone who would like to be kept informed of what’s happening in the VET Sector, send them a copy of this newsletter for their information.  If you would like to subscribe, please see easy to follow instructions below.

1. Go to www.dest.gov.au/dss/ - please read the instructions then press the 'Continue' button

2. Enter your email address in the email form field then press the 'Continue' button

3. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you entered

4. Click the link in the email to activate your account.  A list of departmental newsletters will be displayed

5. Select FAST FACTS (and any other newsletter(s) of interest to you)

6. Click the 'Save changes' button at the bottom of the page

7. Your details will be added to the database and you will regularly receive Australian Training Fast Facts and any other new newsletter(s) you have selected.

For more information visit www.dest.gov.au/dss/

Want to submit information for Fast Facts?

Fast Facts will be published next on Friday, 7 March 2008.  The deadline for submission of information for inclusion is c.o.b Monday 3 March.  Please send information (not exceeding 150 words) to fastfacts@dest.gov.au