- PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES JOBTRAINER SKILLS PACKAGE FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND GROWTH
- NCVER: RTOS! HELP US REACH 1 MILLION VET STUDENTS
- DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION EXPERT PANEL – SURVEY OF INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS/ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS
- SMART AND SKILLED UPDATE No. 106 – 20 July 2020
- NCVER: AUSTRALIAN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING STATISTICS
- DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH FOR CO2
- NSW MINE REGULATOR SAFETY
- SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA NEW PUBLICATION – STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
- AEMC – CONSULTATION ON STAND-ALONE POWER SYSTEMS LAW CHANGES
- ENA – PREPARING FOR THE CDR: BALANCING OPPORTUNITY AND RISK
1. PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES JOBTRAINER SKILLS PACKAGE FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND GROWTH
On the 16th July the Prime Minister announced that the federal government would invest $2 billion to give hundreds of thousands of Australians access to new skills. This would be achieved through retraining and upskilling Australians into sectors with job opportunities, as the economy recovers from COVID-19.
Most interesting and important the JobTrainer skills package Includes a guarantee of support for thousands of apprentices in jobs across the country. The Government will subsidise their wages to keep them employed and their training secured.
For the JobTrainer skills package to be successful the, “states and territories need to sign up to a new Heads of Agreement to access JobTrainer funding, with the agreement setting out immediate reforms to improve the vocational education and training sector, and providing the foundation for long term improvements as outlined by the Prime Minister in his recent speech to the National Press Club.” That is, the states and territories will be invited to match funding dollar for dollar and address skill areas identified by the National Skills Commission, in consultation with the states and territories.
The Government expects the ‘NEW’ “$1 billion JobTrainer program will provide up to an additional 340,700 training places to help school leavers and job seekers access short and long courses to develop new skills in growth sectors and create a pathway to more qualifications.
Courses will be free or low cost in areas of identified need, with the Federal Government providing $500 million with matched contributions from state and territory governments.
The Prime Minister said, “The jobs and skills we’ll need as we come out of the crisis are not likely to be the same as those that were lost.”
The PM’s media release also states, “The package also includes an additional $1.5 billion to expand the wage incentive to help keep apprentices in work. It builds on the initial $1.3 billion package announced in March.
In addition to small businesses already covered, the wage subsidy will now be available to medium businesses with less than 200 employees for apprentices employed as at 1 July 2020. Around 180,000 apprentices and 90,000 small and medium businesses that employ them will now be supported, with the program extended by six months to March 2021.
The initiative covers 50 per cent of the wages paid to apprentices and trainees, up to $7,000 per quarter.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said, “We will work with States and Territories to develop a list of qualifications and skill sets that will provide job seekers with the skills that are in demand by employers and are critical to the economic recovery.”
For more information on the PM’s JobTrainer skills package announcement visit: PM ANNOUNCES JOBTRAINER SKILLS PACKAGE
2. NCVER: RTOS! HELP US REACH 1 MILLION VET STUDENTS
NCVER is seeking assistance from RTOs to inform and encourage existing and former students to participate in the National Student Outcomes Survey2020. NCVER have produced a series of texts that can be sent our in newsletters and emails, social media and web banners. The following is a sample of the Newsletter, emails and Website text:
“2020 Student Outcomes Survey: Have your say about training
Did you complete training with us in 2019? If so, you may be invited to participate in the National Student Outcomes Survey, Australia’s largest survey of VET students.
Check your mobile, email or letter box for your survey invitation from the SOS team. To complete the survey, click on the link in your survey invitation or go to www.ncver.edu.au/sos and enter the login code provided.
Completing this survey will help to improve training courses and programs, and help students like yourself to make better decisions about their training options.
Make sure to complete your survey early for more chances to WIN a share of the prize draw! Invitations will be sent to eligible students from mid-June 2020.
For more about the survey, including what information is collected and how survey responses will be reported, you can read the FAQs here: https://www.ncver.edu.au/support/support/faq/student-outcomes-survey-faqs
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For more information and resources kit visit: NCVER NATIONAL STUDENT OUTCOME SURVEY
3. DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION EXPERT PANEL – SURVEY OF INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS / ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) have circulated a notice of the call for all industry associations and unions to support a survey related to digital transformation – upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce through Australia’s VET system.
The supporting text states, “The Digital Transformation Expert Panel has been formed ‘to provide advice on how Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system can most effectively respond to digital change underway across industry and its impact on the nation’s workforce’. It will report to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee in November 2020.
The Panel is now in the consultation phase of its work and is seeking the views of industry associations, employer organisations and unions through a formal survey process.
The Panel’s advice will be captured in its Digital Transformation Skills Strategy for consideration by the AISC in late 2020.
- This survey is to capture the views of industry organisations/associations and unions.
- The survey questions cover two topics:
- The industry and its approach to digital transformation
- Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system and how to support existing workers upskill and reskill
- The survey must be completed online but can be downloaded as a PDF document here to assist discussion prior to completion of the survey.
- For the purposes of the survey, the following definitions apply:
- Reskilling – developing new skills to enable a transition to a different role or field
- Upskilling – developing additional skills to use in a current role or field
With the global pandemic accelerating existing trends in digital transformation, the VET sector has a vital role to play in supporting Australian industry and the nation’s workforce so we encourage you to complete the survey and help shape the Panel’s advice.”
The deadline for submissions is 30 July.
Find out more about the Panel’s work on the project website www.digitalskillsformation.org.au or head straight to the survey of industry associations, employer organisations and unions at the following link: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SURVEY
4. SMART AND SKILLED UPDATE No. 106 – 20 July 2020
Please find attached Smart and Skilled Update No. 106, which covers the following:
- For information: Commonwealth begins consultation on the Review of the Disability Standards for Education
- What is happening?
- How can you be involved?
For technical support regarding this update, please contact Training Market Customer Support at Training.Market@det.nsw.edu.au.
For more information visit the Smart and Skills section of Training Services NSW website: SMART AND SKILLED
5. NCVER: AUSTRALIAN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING STATISTICS
The publication, “Apprentice and trainee experience and destinations – 2008, 2010 and 2019”, summarises the outcomes of apprentices and trainees who completed (completers) or cancelled or withdrew (non-completers) from an apprenticeship or traineeship. The figures are derived from the 2008, 2010 and 2019 Apprentice and Trainee Experience and Destination Surveys.
- Trades workers in 2019:
- 91.5% of trade completers and 74.1% of trade non-completers were employed after training, similar to 2008.
- 88.9% of trade completers and 51.9% of trade non-completers were satisfied with their apprenticeship or traineeship overall, both up from 2008.
- Non-trades workers in 2019:
- 85.0% of non-trade completers were employed after training, down from 91.7% in 2008.
- 73.5% of non-trade non-completers were employed after training, similar to 2008.
- 88.0% of non-trade completers were satisfied with their apprenticeship or traineeship overall, up from 84.7% in 2008.
- 48.4% of non-trade non-completers were satisfied with their apprenticeship or traineeship overall, similar to 2008.
- Main reason for undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship
- Trades workers
The main reasons for undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship in a trade occupation in 2008, consistent with 2010 and 2019, were:
- wanted to work in that type of job
- to gain a recognised qualification or certificate
- wanted a job.
- Non-trades workers
The main reasons for undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship in a non-trade occupation in 2008, 2010 and 2019 varied. In 2008, the main reasons were:
- a requirement of their job
- to gain a recognised qualification or certificate
- recommended by their employer (not mandatory).
In 2010, the main reason given was that it was recommended by an employer, at 31.9%. Only 7.6% of non-trade apprentices and trainees gave this reason in 2019.
The report covers a host of other key areas including, main reason for not completing an apprenticeship or traineeship, satisfaction with the apprenticeship or traineeship, employment outcomes and a series of statistical tables worthy of review.
A copy of the report is available at: APPRENTICE AND TRAINEE EXPERIENCE AND DESTINATIONS – 2008, 2010 AND 2019
6. DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH FOR CO2
Climate Control News (CCN), Editor Sandra Rossi reports in the latest CCN news, “The global transcritical CO2 systems market is set to register a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.9% from 2020 to 2027.
In its latest report Grand View Research estimates the value of the market will top $A159.018 billion ($US110.43 billion) by 2027.
This huge growth is attributed to rising demand for air conditioning and refrigeration applications, along with lower operational costs associated with transcritical CO2 systems.
The biggest driver is the global HFC phasedown and F-Gas restrictions.
…
The retail segment accounted for the largest share of 55.8% in 2019 with supermarkets proactively adopting environmental best practices in order to build their green credentials.
CO2 heat pumps are expected to register a CAGR of 18.8% from 2020 to 2027 as they offer high service temperature and limited capacity loss.
Heat pumps are increasingly used in residential and commercial developments, particularly in Europe which accounted for 78.4% of the market in 2019.”
This growth and change affecting the industry, has significant downstream training implications, with a need to for HVAC&R Technicians to constantly upskill and/or re-skill to stay abreast of these changes. For more information regarding the article and other related HVAC&R emerging issues, visit the link: DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH FOR CO2.
7. NSW MINE REGULATOR SAFETY
NSW Mine Safety News reports of a dangerous incident (IncNot0037725) in the underground metalliferous mine sector. A summary of the incident is, that “a worker was removing an accumulator from a raise boring rig on the surface laydown area. During this activity, he suffered a fluid injection injury to his left-hand ring finger. The worker was admitted to hospital and underwent surgery.”
The regulator advises, that “Mine operators are reminded that effective isolation and energy dissipation are critical risk controls when working on high pressure fluid systems. Methods for dissipation of energy must be established and communicated for work on each part of a high pressure system.”
Refer to:
- SB13-01 Fluid injections result in surgery
- SB12-03 Fluid power isolation failures
- SA09-04 Hydraulic injection near miss
- SA06-16 Fatal high-pressure hydraulic injection
- MDG-41-Fluid-power-systems
- MDG-40 Guideline for hazardous energy control
For more information visit the link to: RESOURCES REGULATOR – INVESTIGATION REPORTS
8. SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA NEW PUBLICATION – STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
Safe Work Australia advises it has published a new guide on the storage of flammable liquids. The guide is for small to medium sized businesses and describes the risks of flammable liquids and explains, step by step, how to manage those risks.”
It states, “This guide is intended for small to medium business owners who use and store flammable liquids in their workplace. It explains the risks posed by flammable liquids, and guides readers through a process of identifying, assessing and managing those risks.”
It should be read in conjunction with the Guide: MANAGING RISKS OF STORING CHEMICALS IN THE WORKPLACE.
The storage of flammable liquids guide can be downloaded from the following link: STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS GUIDE
9. AEMC – CONSULTATION ON STAND-ALONE POWER SYSTEMS LAW CHANGES
AEMC reports that, “Senior federal and state energy officials are consulting on draft law changes to support the efficient delivery of stand-alone power systems by distribution businesses. This follows AEMC recommendations to enable distributor-led SAPS while retaining consumer protections.”
Following agreement by Senior Officials of the former COAG Energy Council, this consultation package seeks stakeholder feedback on draft amendments to the National Electricity Law and National Energy Retail Law to support the efficient delivery of stand-alone power systems by distribution network service providers, based on the AEMC’s final recommendations.
Key changes include:
- Defining a stand-alone power system and amending the existing definition of distribution system.
- Ensuring that stand-alone power systems are captured by the economic regulatory framework and provide transitional arrangements for pre-existing stand-alone power systems.
- Flexible opt-in arrangements for jurisdictions through Regulation so each jurisdiction can apply the whole framework or part of the framework to regulated stand-alone power systems in their jurisdiction.
- Providing for the South Australian Minister to make an initial set of National Electricity Rules and National Energy Retail Rules associated with the amendments on regulated stand-alone power systems.
- Senior Officials encourage stakeholders to provide feedback, through a written submission (Word and PDF), on the draft amendments. Senior Officials welcome comments from stakeholders, including on drafting omissions or errors and whether the amendments will raise any practical implementation or transitional issues.
Submissions can be sent to demsaenwg@sa.gov.au
The consultation period will close on 31 July 2020. Submissions will be considered and a final package of draft amendments will go to Energy Ministers for approval in the third quarter of 2020.
For more information on the consultation process and proposed amendments visit and download the consultation package: STAND-ALONE POWER SYSTEMS LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS – CONSULTATION PACKAGE
10. ENA – PREPARING FOR THE CDR: BALANCING OPPORTUNITY AND RISK
Energy Networks Australia (ENA) and the Australian Energy Council report on an emerging data privacy issue within the energy sector. It states. “With the Consumer Data Right underway in the banking sector, attention has now shifted to getting the energy sector CDR-ready. The CDR offers immense opportunities for innovation in the way customers interact with the energy sector, but these opportunities must be balanced with strong privacy and data security protections. We look at how the energy industry is preparing.
With the Consumer Data Right (CDR) underway in the banking sector, attention has now shifted to getting the energy sector CDR-ready.
The CDR offers immense opportunities for innovation in the way customers interact with the energy sector, but these opportunities must be balanced with strong privacy and data security protections. Here we take a look at the steps retailers are taking to prepare for the CDR while balancing these considerations.”
Read more about this very important issue on consumer data rights now becoming a subject of interest to energy consumers and your future energy bills. What the CDR means for customers: PREPARING FOR THE CDR: BALANCING OPPORTUNITY AND RISK
For more, contact Rhys Thomas, Australian Energy Council.