What's New in VET - April 2007
2007 Training Awards
Nominations for the SA Training Awards are now open.
Further details are at www.satrainingawards.sa.edu.au/sata/
SA Government Skills Initiatives
There are a significant number of activities and projects underway. A useful summary can be found at pages 10 and 11 of this document. www.southaustralia.biz/PDFs/Skills_for_SA_Sept06.pdf
457 Visas - Federal Government Enquiry
The ACTU has appeared before a Parliamentary Inquiry into Migration (14 March 2007) and has called for an overhaul of the 457 temporary visa program on the basis that it is being used to reduce wages and job opportunities for Australian workers and that migrant workers are being exploited.
The ACTU submission can be downloaded from www.actu.asn.au
New Federal Minister Robb's Plan for VET
The new Minister's speech can be accessed at www.dest.gov.au/Ministers/Media/Robb/2007/03/R001140307.asp
AMWU response at www.amwu.asn.au/default.asp?Action=featured&ID=3
AEU response at www.aeufederal.org.au/Media/MediaReleases/2007/1403.pdf
While he has lost little time in reinforcing the policy approach of his predecessor, Gary Hardgrave, he does appear to have let up somewhat on the previous Minister's war by media release with unions, the federal ALP and various state governments. In the last seven months of Gary Hardgrave's reign he bagged the federal ALP seven times, the AEU 4 times, the NSW government 3 times, and the WA, SA and Queensland governments as well as the ACTU once each. So far, the new Minister has only bagged the Victorians (once) in the last 2 months.
NCVER Statistics
SA figures for September 2006 are now available at www.ncver.edu.au/statistics/aats/quarter/sept2006/06septsum_
statetables.xls#SA!A1
Competency Based Training
From 1 January 2007, competency-based completions for traineeships and apprenticeships are available in South Australia. Workers who have achieved the required competencies, may complete their traineeship or apprenticeship before the nominal completion date of the contract of training. The Training and Skills Commission may issue a Certificate of Competency under the following conditions:
- the parties to the contract have certified that they have fulfilled their obligations under the contract
- the employer has certified that the apprentice/trainee has been provided with relevant on job training and support consistent with the competency requirements of the qualification and that the employer is satisfied that the requirements of the qualification have been met
- the RTO has certified that the qualification and signed by both parties to the contract of training.
- The Guidelines for competency-based traineeship and apprenticeship completions can be found at www.training.sa.gov.au/tasc/files/links/Guidelines_for_competency.pdf
New Commonwealth Incentives
From 1 January 2007, the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Programme enables more employers to claim incentives under the programme. Employers of trainees undertaking a range of Diploma or Advanced Diploma (eg out of school aged care, engineering, electrical engineering, civil construction) qualifications may now be eligible to attract incentives where
- the person has previously attained a qualification at the Certificate I, II, III or IV level;
- or the person is an existing employee.
More information can be found at www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
Council of Australian Governments Skills and Training Agenda
Late last year, the federal government organised discussions with a range of organisations on the issue of future 'reforms' in this area. There are many issues on this agenda ranging from resourcing and incentives, partial and enterprise focused qualifications, future of Industry Skills Councils, Australian Technical Colleges and TAFE fudning.
In respect of resources and incentives, trainees and apprentices already make a significant contribution to training outcomes by virtue of reduced wages and entitlements which amount to thousands of dollars over the term of an apprenticeship/traineeship. The suggestions for HECS style contributions, learning accounts and individual tax deductions reinforce this emphasis on the individual contributing significantly more for their training.
There are considerable resources available within existing expenditure to redirect to higher level qualifications. By 2016, it is expected that there will be a surplus of 305,000 people with Certificate II qualifications and a further 75,000 with Certificate I qualifications. Given known economic developments, there are significant current and expected shortfalls in a range of skilled trades' workers.
The ACTU is preparing briefing papers on the full range of issues which will be useful when discussing these matters in various forums.
For more information contact Steve Lewis, VET Project Officer at SA Unions on 8279 2222 or email slewis@saunions.org.au
