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Thursday, 1 August 2024
Centre for Education and Training Newsletter: Edition 30
A strong voice for industry skills needs
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Megan Lilly
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In July we have seen more progress towards implementation of some of the recommendations of the Universities Accord Final Report. A key recommendation was to establish an Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to eventually take an overarching view of both VET and higher education. An implementation consultation paper which discusses its role and governance arrangements has been released for comment.
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Alongside the ATEC is a proposed new system for funding higher education to allow for growth to meet higher education attainment targets and to provide additional funding for students from disadvantaged or under-represented groups.
Jobs and Skills Australia is also looking for feedback on a proposed National Skills Taxonomy which would replace the former Australian Skills Classification.
I know sometimes we all think there should be less consultation and more getting on with it, but it’s important that industry has the opportunity to provide input into these initiatives. Otherwise, we end up having to work with systems that don’t take our needs into account.
On another front, the apprenticeship incentive system changed on 1 July, with some incentives being increased but others being removed. As mentioned in our media release on Budget night, the continuation of incentives for both employers and apprentices in priority trades is welcome. It reflects successful industry advocacy to avoid an 'incentive cliff' that would have decimated the incentive system. While only funded for a limited period, industry is anticipating the ongoing support that is required will be delivered in response to the Strategic Review of the Australian Apprentice Incentive System.
New contracts for the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network also came into place on 1 July. They are now called Apprentice Connect Australia Providers, with an updated focus.
If you would like to keep up-to-date on our activities or share information or research with us please join our Centre Network by contacting us at cet@aigroup.com.au.
Megan Lilly
Executive Director, Ai Group Centre for Education & Training
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Apprentice and trainee changes
Two significant changes to the apprenticeship and traineeship system commenced on 1 July 2024 and are in place for a 12-month transition period while the Apprenticeship Incentives Review is finalised.
Find out more
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Artificial Intelligence Research
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We are conducting research into how industry is navigating the skills and workforce implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI). We'd like to invite you to a short research interview to understand how your business is navigating the workforce implications of these new technologies.
Find out more
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World Economic Forum Future of Jobs 2025 report
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Ai Group CET is the Australian partner organisation for the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs report series, which maps global trends and their impact on skills and the labour market. The insights derived from this research are invaluable in understanding the dynamic landscape of the labour market worldwide.
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The findings help us understand evolving skills needs and challenges and predict job trends – both in the Australian economy and on a global scale.
C-Suite leaders are invited to participate in this important survey. All responses are confidential, with results reported in aggregate only. To be eligible to participate, businesses must have at least 400 FTE employees.
All participants who complete the survey will receive an invitation to an exclusive briefing ahead of the report’s release with the World Economic Forum authors.
Please click here to find out more and to complete the survey
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Australian Tertiary Education Commission
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The Commonwealth Government has released an Implementation consultation paper about the establishment of an Australian Tertiary Education Commission. This was in response to a key recommendation of the Universities Accord Final Report and was announced in the 2024-25 Budget.
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The objective of the ATEC is to underpin and drive:
(a) equitable opportunity through supporting all Australians to access and participate in high-quality, engaging and transformative tertiary education programs;
(b) a productive economy and society through the delivery of highly skilled and educated graduates, and through facilitating the production and application of new knowledge; and
(c) a strong civic democracy through institutions that foster robust debate and critical inquiry and contribute to Australia’s cultural and intellectual life.
It is intended the ATEC be established in an interim capacity from 1 July 2025, and formally established from 1 January 2026, subject to the passage of legislation.
Read the Consultation Paper
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New Managed Growth Funding for Universities
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The Commonwealth Government has released a paper that sets out implementation issues for a new Managed Growth Funding system for universities, intended to commence from 1 January 2026. Under the proposed new system, the Government will set a whole-of-system allocation of the number of enrolments in Commonwealth supported places (CSPs).
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In determining the size of this whole-of-system CSP enrolment cap, the Government will consider long-term growth in enrolments to ensure Australia's higher education system is on track to deliver the agreed attainment targets and meet community expectations and industry skills needs.
The new system will include funding for 'equity' students, including First Nations students and students from a low-SES, regional or remote background, or students with disability.
Read the Consultation Paper
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Software Engineering apprenticeships preparing for second intake
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After the successful launch of the first intake of software engineering apprentices in Adelaide in January, the University of South Australia (Uni SA) is working with employers to pave the way for the second intake in January next year.
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The first group of apprentices were an enthusiastic and highly motivated group who are already proving their worth in the workplace. One employer noted that their apprentices had been producing valuable work after only a few short months, long before they were expected to be productive.
Click here to find out more about the program and register your interest
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Celebration as students graduate from defence placement program
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A group of university students has been congratulated for completing the South Australian Government’s Defence Industry Scholarship Program. Delivered by Ai Group, the program supports the development of a defence-ready workforce by providing work-based learning opportunities. The 25 students, from Adelaide University, Flinders University and the University of SA, received grants of up to $10,000 to undertake placements with local defence companies.
Read our Blog post to Find out more
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Manufacturing Skills Queensland releases 2024-25 Annual Training Plan
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Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) has released its 2024-25 Annual Training Plan. The Plan outlines 19 programs set to be rolled out from 1 July 2024, delivered across four investment priority areas – attraction and engagement ($1,255,000); trades, transformation and leadership ($950,000); training and skills ($1,360,000); and diversity in manufacturing ($1,500,000).
Read the Plan
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Grant Opportunity – Skills for Education & Employment (SEE) First Nations
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In an important expansion of access to foundation skills, eligibility for the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program broadened from 1 July. All Australians over the age of 15 who have left school and who need help with their language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills are eligible, and they don’t have to be a registered job seeker to participate.
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The Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has also announced new grant opportunities through the SEE Program for First Nations people. Grants will enable eligible organisations including RTOs to provide English LLND skills training to First Nations people across Australia. The training is to be co-designed with the community/communities in which it will be delivered.
Find out more
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UniSA Capstone Professional Project: Working with university STEM students
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If you are a business located in South Australia and are seeking to engage local university students in short research or project work, then the University of South Australia invites you to join their Capstone Professional Project. The program connects students in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) degrees with local companies to undertake real-world projects.
Find out more
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Supporting STEM literacy with a range of innovative programs
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STEM-based employment is projected to grow at almost twice the pace of other occupations. Yet employers are still having difficulty recruiting STEM-skilled professionals, particularly in mining, manufacturing and electricity, gas, water and waste services. This article details programs offered by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering (ATSE) to support STEM literacy and increased diversity within STEM cohorts, from high-school students through to university students and graduates.
Find out more
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National Skills Taxonomy
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Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released the National Skills Taxonomy (NST) Discussion Paper, a step forward in the development of a new national skills taxonomy. The NST will replace the existing Australian Skills Classification (ASC), offering a more comprehensive and dynamic approach to categorising and organising skills across Australia. The ASC will remain available for users until the NST is developed.
The NST will categorise and organise skills to provide a common language of skills for all, to help bridge the gap between education, employment and economic productivity.
This is an opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of the NST. Specifically, JSA are interested in your views on:
- the benefits and limitations of existing skills taxonomies;
- how an NST could help across education, training or the labour market;
- the principles and key features you want in an NST; and
- what data should inform an NST and how it should be maintained.
Consultation closes on Friday 9 August 2024 at 5pm (AEST).
Read the Discussion Paper or lodge a submission
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WEBINAR RECORDING: 10 July
Digital and social skills required in the workplace today
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In our July webinar, we explored the mix of digital and human skills needed in the modern workplace. Is there a need for a new combination of these skills that is changing the nature of work? And what are the implications for the development of these skills during tertiary education? We were joined by Patrick Kidd, CEO, Future Skills Organisation, and Associate Professor Retha de Villiers Scheepers, University of the Sunshine Coast.
Watch the webinar now
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