Menu
Today, in TDA’s Monday Newsletter, you can find information about the successful organisations that will provide support services to apprenticeships. The new model is in place from 1 July.
In this new model, while sign ups remain core to the work of the apprentice support providers, there is increased emphasis on improving apprenticeship retention and completion. The purpose is to strengthen support for apprentices at the highest risk of non-completion.
That means in this new model there are new specialist providers. Some will focus on First Nations Australian Apprentices, others on women in male-dominated trades, others on apprentices with a disability or located in remote Australia. There are several new entrants, including those providing specialist services. One such new entrant is Holmesglen Institute of TAFE. Holmesglen will provide specialist support for Australian Apprenticeships in Victoria working towards clean energy occupations.
This new model strengthens mentoring support services. It also aims to deal with each individual’s specific situation and, through that, develop appropriate support. As per the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website, “Apprentices are placed at the centre of delivery through an enhanced assessment at the beginning of the apprenticeship.”
This is one of four pieces of work currently focused on apprenticeships. Justice Iain Ross and Lisa Paul are leading the consultations on the Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System. TDA members were part of the consultation last week and TDA encourages all its members to provide input and submissions by 15 May to: ApprenticeshipsReview@dewr.gov.au.
Then there is the ongoing work happening through the National Skills Agreement developments where improved completions, including apprenticeships, is one of the seven priority areas.
And finally, worth a mention are development of ‘higher’ apprenticeships which will be part of TAFE Centres of Excellence.
So, if you want to engage in this conversation on any aspects of apprenticeships and you are coming to TDA Convention 2024 next week, join four well known leaders of the apprenticeship system – Ben Bardon, Sharon Robertson, Paul Walsh and Brett Schimming in their session on Wednesday 8 May. Their workshop brings together Jobs and Skills Councils for manufacturing, transport and logistics, building and construction, along with the National Australian Apprenticeships Association for a deep dive on how to improve apprentice completions.
I’m also looking forward to participating in a panel hosted by My eQuals on the day before TDA Convention 2024 in Sydney next week (see diary dates below). This event will discuss a broad spectrum of topics around digital credentialing, something that the National Skills Passport working group are currently exploring. There is a lot happening next week in Sydney – I look forward to engaging with many of you in these various conversations and discussions on policy directions during the week.
Nine organisations have been selected by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to deliver a new model of Australian Apprenticeship Support Services, to commence from July 1.
Following a Request for Tender, DEWR announced the successful organisations – a mix of generalist and specialist providers who will be contracted to deliver services until 2026.
DEWR said the RFT outcome will deliver a greater variety of organisations providing targeted support to Australian Apprentices and their employers.
Four existing providers will continue to deliver apprentice support services – Chambers Apprenticeship Support Australia, The Busy Group, MEGT and MAS National.
Five new providers have also been selected – APM, Bamara, Holmsglen Institute, ITEC Group and SYC.
A number of the providers will deliver specialist support in three areas – women in male-dominated trades, First Nations apprentices, and the clean energy sector.
TDA and its members are gearing up for an action packed program at the TDA Convention 2024 from 8-9 May at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Hotel. TDA Convention 2024 will explore the theme ‘TAFE at the Heart’ in recognition of TAFE’s role at the centre of tertiary education and skills development in Australia.
TDA is delighted that the new Commissioner for Jobs and Skills Australia, Professor Barney Glover AO will speak as part of the opening panel on government direction in tertiary education and on meeting the current, emerging and future skills and workforce needs of the Australian economy. Professor Glover was also a member of the Universities Accord panel during 2023, so he will have much to share on their findings and recommendations.
Other invited speakers at the TDA Convention 2024 can be viewed here.
For those attending the TDA Convention 2024, TDA encourages you to update your registration profiles if you are NOT attending the dinner at the Sofitel on 8 May and/or the networking function at the Sydney Opera House on 9 May. This is important from a sustainability perspective in terms of catering requirements, but also because there is now a waitlist for these events.
Also, any registered delegates who are planning to attend the Sino-Australian VET Forum on the afternoon of 9 May, please let us know at memberservices@tda.edu.au and we will add your name to the attendee list.
TDA has been delighted by the level of interest in this year’s convention. Delegate numbers have reached maximum capacity and registrations are now closed.
We look forward to welcoming you next week for TAFE at the Heart!
Weld Australia has issued an invitation to a hands-on demonstration of its award-winning MEM Learning Resources and a free buffet style lunch.
This event is scheduled for the day before the start of the TDA conference in Sydney.
What: Launch of the MEM Learning Resources
Date: Tuesday 7 May, 12 noon – 2.30 pm
Timing: 12 noon to 1 pm networking lunch, 1 pm to 2.30 pm presentation and panel session
Venue: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Brisbane Room, 101 Phillip Street, Sydney
Cost: Free
Weld Australia has designed and created a suite of resources for delivery of the 12 welding and fabrication units of competency in the Manufacturing and Engineering (MEM) Training Package and has formed a national consortium of TAFEs to work on the project.
Watch the 9 min video here for more details.
The Department of Home Affairs is inviting submissions into a review of the points test, which forms a key part of Australia’s permanent skilled migration system.
The review was one of the key areas for reform set out in the federal government’s Migration Strategy, released in December.
The points test allocates points to migrant characteristics such as age, qualifications, skills, and English proficiency, and then ranks prospective migrants by their overall points. Some two-thirds of the permanent skilled intake occurs through the points tested visa programs.
The Department of Home Affairs has released a discussion paper and will be conducting the review.
Submissions are open until May 24.
Commonwealth, state and territory education ministers have agreed to set up a new body to strengthen university governance and industrial relations compliance.
The Education Ministers Meeting on Friday agreed to establish an Expert Governance Council to develop governance principles and recommendations that flow from the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report.
The meeting Communique sets out ten priority areas for action, including:
Ministers agreed that the new University Governance Principles and Recommendations, which will replace the current voluntary code, will be presented to ministers for endorsement by the end of the year.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations will soon be rolling out changes to enhance Training.gov.au (TGA). The new TGA is more intuitive and accessible, and will deliver a streamlined interface, more robust search features and enhanced reporting functions.
DEWR has been engaging with the sector to help stakeholders prepare for the update and make the most of the enhanced TGA.
They will also be presenting and exhibiting at the TDA Convention 2024 in May to provide further details and answer questions, so make sure to look out for the Training.gov.au workshop and exhibition booth during the event.
The enhanced TGA is planned for a late 2024 release.
For more information about changes, you can visit National Training Register Enhancement Project
For other enquiries about the TGA changes, you can get in touch with the project at NTRReform@dewr.gov.au.
North Regional TAFE’s Pundulmurra campus in Western Australia now has two state-of-the-art trades workshops that will help meet demand for qualified tradespeople throughout the Pilbara.
The campus, located in South Hedland, specialises in health and community development, safety, high risk and computing.
The upgrade will provide Heavy Automotive and Mobile Plant and Fitting and Engineering workshops.
The Pundulmurra Trades Expansion is a key regional project, which forms part of the largest TAFE capital works program in Western Australia’s history, with the government investing $243.3 million in upgrades to essential infrastructure.
The Australian Education Union is holding a national photography competition for TAFE students to capture ‘The Heart of TAFE’ in 2024.
It’s aimed at capturing the best picture (or pictures) that tell a powerful visual story about the life-changing role of Australia’s world-class TAFE system.
It is open exclusively to TAFE students, with a grand prize of $5,000 and a trip to Canberra.
Entries close July 10.
My eQuals Connect
A discussion about the future of digital credentialing (free event)
7 May 2024
Sybil Centre, University of Sydney
More information
TDA Convention 2024, ‘TAFE at the Heart’ – FULL
8-9 May 2024
Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney
Fully booked
TAFETalks
What does it mean for TAFEs? ASQA’s new regulatory model.
Tuesday 28 May 2pm AEST
Save the date
Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT
2024 Skills Conference: Empowerment & Connection
12 June 2024
Dockside Darling Harbour, Sydney
More information
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium 2024
Cultivating Creativity, Connections & Confidence in the Australian Tertiary Education Sector
12 June 2024
RMIT, Melbourne and online
More information
33rd National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills’
‘VET partnerships powering a dynamic workforce’
10-12 July 2024
North Metropolitan TAFE, Perth
More information
National Apprentice Employment Network
National Conference ‘Skills for Life’
23-25 July 2024
Hilton Adelaide
Save the date
VET National Teaching & Learning Conference 2024
‘From Competence to Excellence – Strive to Inspire’
15-16 August 2024
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Register here
National Skills Week 2024
‘It’s a Game Changer’
19-25 August 2024
www.nationalskillsweek.com.au
47th WorldSkills Competition
10-15 September 2024
Lyon, France
More information
WFCP World Congress 2024
22-27 September 2024
St James, Jamaica, West Indies
More Information
AVETRA 2024 Conference
3-4 October 2024
University of Technology, Sydney
Save the date
Go to individual JSC websites for event details.
Powering Skills Organisation
Insights Update, 3 May 2024
Energy Pathway Roadshow: Collaborating for a Sustainable Tomorrow – events in Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth, Bunbury, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne, Geelong and Brisbane.
poweringskills.com.au
HumanAbility
State and Territory Roadshow 2024
www.humanability.com.au
© 2020 TAFE Directors Australia – Website Developed by G.I. Computer Innovations
