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Skills Tasmania

16 Dec 2022 - Skills Facts 278

Skills Facts 278 has been released with all the latest news from Skills Tasmania...

Welcome to December Skills Facts.

In today's newsletter:

  • Ministerial Priorities
  • Australian Government announces Jobs and Skills Councils
  • Building a Skilled Workforce – Jobseeker Fund
  • North West School Based Apprenticeship Grant program
  • New Apprenticeship Scholarship Program (NASP)
  • Energising Tasmania Training Fund
  • Australian Training Awards
  • Australian Government consultation: Draft revised RTO standards
  • Qualifications Reform – have your say
  • RTO Forum
  • Global Education Growth Strategy review
  • Season’s greetings and Skills Tasmania office closure

Ministerial Priorities

The Ministerial Priorities for the Training and Workforce Development System has been released by Skills Tasmania.

The Ministerial Priorities provide strategic guidance for the training and workforce development system. They align with the Training and Workforce Development Act 2013 and support the Tasmanian Government’s vision for a high-quality training and workforce development system that is accessible, job-focussed and responsive.

The Ministerial Priorities can be found here


Australian Government announces Jobs and Skills Councils

On 13 December 2022, the Australian Government announced the outcomes of the Stage One Grant Opportunity and the formation of 10 Jobs and Skills Councils.

These Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs), formerly known as Industry Clusters, are being established to provide industry with a stronger, more strategic voice in ensuring Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector delivers stronger outcomes for learners and employers.

JSCs will identify skills and workforce needs for their sectors, map career pathways across education sectors, develop VET training products, support collaboration between industry and training providers to improve training and assessment practice and act as a source of intelligence on issues affecting their industries.

More information on JSCs is available here


Building a Skilled Workforce – Jobseeker Fund

Skills Tasmania endorsed Registered Training Organisations can now apply for funding under the Building a Skilled Workforce – Jobseeker Fund.

The Jobseeker Fund replaces the Adult Learning Fund and is supported by the 12-month Skills Agreement, which is a partnership arrangement between the Australian and Tasmanian governments to offer fee-free training places in priority areas for eligible learners.

The Jobseeker Fund is open to eligible RTOs to help Tasmanian jobseekers (people out of work or who are underemployed) and those looking to upskill or gain new skills outside their current employment, to access training or support services that will lead to improved employment and career opportunities.

Applications close at 2.00 pm (AEDT) on Friday, 23 December 2022.

All enquiries can be directed to the Grant Program Manager on 03 6165 6037 or jobseekerfund@skills.tas.gov.au

Further details can be found on the Skills Tasmania website.


North West School Based Apprenticeship Grant program

Funding is available for employers in north west Tasmania to employ a school-based apprentice or trainee. This program will help employers identify a new generation of staff and provide senior school students the opportunity to commence rewarding careers.

The program provides grants of $2,500 to encourage local employers to find students interested in starting an apprenticeship during years 10, 11 or 12. Applications will be accepted from employers whose business operates in one of Tasmania’s identified growth industries.

Further information is available on the NW School Based Apprenticeships Grant Program webpage


New Apprenticeship Scholarship Program (NASP)

Funding is available for all commencing apprentices in north-west Tasmania. This program will help post-year 12 students with costs of their apprenticeship or traineeship in the agriculture, aquaculture and forestry, transport and logistics and health and social assistance industries.

The program provides grants of $2,000 for full-time and $1,000 for part-time apprentices. The funding is intended to support individuals and the payment will go to apprentices to use at their discretion.

Applications can be made through Apprenticeship Network Providers at commencement or directly with Skills Tasmania.

Further information and the application form is available on the New Apprenticeship Scholarship Program webpage.


Energising Tasmania Training Fund

The Energising Tasmania Training Fund has been re-opened and is available to endorsed Registered Training Organisations.

The program funds training places for apprentices, trainees and existing workers across more than 100 recognised qualifications and encourages individuals working in other sectors to consider a career change to the energy and infrastructure industries. Applications for funding will be accepted until 30 March 2023, or until grant funds are fully allocated.

The objective of the fund is to support the development of a skilled workforce equipped with the expertise needed for the Battery of the Nation initiative and, more broadly, the renewable energy and related sectors in Tasmania. The Energising Tasmania Training Fund is being delivered through Skills Tasmania and funded through the Australian Government’s the Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow initiative.

All enquiries about the Energising Tasmania Training Fund should be directed to the Program Manager on 03 6165 6037 or ettf@skills.tas.gov.au or on the Skills Tasmania website.


Australian Training Awards

The Australian Training Awards were held in Adelaide in November with seven Tasmanian Training Award winners representing our state. The few days leading up to the presentation were jam-packed full of team building and professional development activities.

On the night, Tasmania’s Avidity Training and Development took home silver in the Large Registered Training Organisation category. Well done to Simon, Carmen and the rest of the team. Tasmania’s individual finalists gained many memories, friendships and valuable tips for their career futures.

If you would like to join next year’s event, the Tasmanian Training Awards will open for nominations in March 2023. Keep an eye out in Skills Facts newsletter for more information or on the Skills Tasmania website.


Australian Government consultation: Draft revised RTO standards

The Australian Government is undertaking consultation on the draft revised RTO standards.

The draft revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTO Standards) were released for public consultation on 2 November 2022 by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and online feedback can be provided until 31 January 2023.

More information about the proposed changes and opportunities to provide feedback on the draft Standards are available here.

Updates on national skills reforms and other opportunities to engage can be found here.


Qualifications Reform – have your say

Consultation has opened on the proposed new VET qualifications architecture being led by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

Further information on the proposal and access to the survey is available here.

The survey is open until 5:00pm AEDT, 17 March 2023.

We encourage you to engage in this process to ensure the views of the Tasmanian VET sector are captured.


RTO Forum

The Skills Tasmania Team met up with Registered Training Organisations on Thursday, 24 November 2022 at the RTO Forum in Hobart. It was a great opportunity to share progress on VET reform, provide an update on Skills Tasmania’s industry engagement and to hear from Jobs Tasmania.

RTOs can reach out to Skills Tasmania by emailing RTOEndorsement@skills.tas.gov.au


Global Education Growth Strategy review

The Department of State Growth is reviewing the Tasmanian Global Education Growth Strategy which was released in 2017.

The review acknowledges the significant changes which have occurred since the strategy’s introduction and the need to ensure that the strategy aligns with stakeholder objectives and the needs of the state. Consultations with key stakeholders in the international education sector are currently underway.

Enquiries can be directed to Manager, Global Education on 03 6165 5135 or harpreet.gill@stategrowth.tas.gov.au


Season’s greetings and Skills Tasmania office closure

We have enjoyed a busy year here at Skills Tasmania supporting learners, employers, training providers and our stakeholders. 
Our office will be closed for enquiries from 12pm on Friday, 23 December 2022, re-opening 9am on Tuesday, 3 January 2023.

Skills Tasmania wishes you a very happy festive season. Stay safe and well.


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