9 Oct 2023 - Skills Facts 285

In today's newsletter:

• 2023 Tasmanian Training Award winners
• Building a Skilled Workforce grants now open
• Training and Work Pathways Program grants announced
• Revised approach to Skills Tasmania funding agreement
• 2023-2024 Grant Program Release Schedule now available
• WorldSkills results
• 26TEN Week 23-27 October
• Youth Jobs Strategy
• International Day of Older Persons
• New Child Safe Framework
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium
• 2023 Australian Training Awards

Tasmanian Training Award winners

The 2023 Tasmanian Training Awards Gala Presentation evening was a great success. More than 500 people celebrated the best in vocational education and training (VET) at the event on Friday, 8 September. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners.

Skills Tasmania acknowledges and thanks this year’s awards sponsors who play a key role in celebrating the wonderful achievements of Tasmania’s VET sector.

For the full details read the news item here or go to the 2023 Tasmanian Training Awards Winners and Finalists webpage.

Building a Skilled Workforce grants now open

Skills Tasmania endorsed registered training organisations (RTOs) are invited to apply for grants through the 2024 Building a Skilled Workforce – Existing Worker and Jobseeker funds.

Grants are available to subsidise the cost of delivering training, assessment and associated learner support services for Tasmanian existing workers and jobseekers in 2024.

Applications will be accepted until 2:00pm (AEDT), Friday 27 October 2023.

The Building a Skilled Workforce programs encourage existing workers and jobseekers to undertake training with the aim of securing employment, and improving their employability through supporting career transitions, upskilling and reskilling. This program will also support improved accessibility to training for regional learners and Tasmanians facing disadvantage. 

In line with Skills Tasmania commitment to streamline the grant application process and ongoing efforts to improves practices, the Skills Tasmania Policy Statement - Tasmanian Training Subsidy Policy has been reviewed and the process for applying for learner loadings will be clearer and easier.

For information about how to apply, go to www.skills.tas.gov.au/funding

Enquiries should be directed to the Grant Program Managers:

• Existing Worker Fund - 03 6166 3403 or existingworkerfund@skills.tas.gov.au
• Jobseeker Fund – 03 6165 6060 or jobseekerfund@skills.tas.gov.au

Training and Work Pathways Program grants announced

More disadvantaged Tasmanians will be helped on the road towards meaningful training, a rewarding job or fulfilling career through the latest round of projects awarded funding under the Training and Work Pathways Program.

Fourteen projects had been approved for funding that will provide an opportunity for more than 600 Tasmanians facing disadvantage to access training or employment, or both.

The program provides funding to Tasmanian community service or not-for-profit organisations, businesses and registered training organisations to provide dedicated job-readiness initiatives and pilot projects that will help build the capacity of training organisations to support disadvantaged learners to overcome systemic barriers and engage in training or work.

To view the successful projects, read the full article here.

Streamlined approach to Skills Tasmania funding agreement

Skills Tasmania, in consultation with endorsed registered training organisations, has been working to improve the grant funding processes which includes the Skills Tasmania Agreement.

A fundamental component of our grant funding process is the Skills Tasmania Agreement, which sets out the terms and conditions for accessing Tasmanian Government funding programs. Our goal is to move towards a more consultative approach with Tasmanian private registered training organisations and streamline our funding process while also continuing to meet the requirements of Tasmanian Government grant documentation.

It is anticipated that a new agreement will be rolled-out later this year and will apply to successful applications through the Building a Skilled Workforce grant program.

For further information on what the changes mean for you, read the full article here

2023-24 Grant Program Release Schedule now available

Skills Tasmania has published the 2023-24 Grant Program Release Schedule to provide potential applicants with time to prepare for upcoming funding rounds.

The schedule outlines the grant programs Skills Tasmania will implement on behalf of the Tasmanian Government including recurrent funding in the 2023-24 financial year and proposed release dates.

The grant programs reflect the current workforce development and training priorities of the Tasmanian Government and support the government's vision for a high-quality training and workforce development system.

View the Grant Program Release Schedule 2023-24.

WorldSkills success

The 2023 WorldSkills Australia (WSA) National Championships were held in Melbourne from 17-19 August at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. WSA promotes and builds a skills culture, celebrates excellence and showcases vocational education and training.

Tasmanian competitors were awarded five silver medals and a certificate of excellence.

For more information about WorldSkills, go to www.worldskills.org.au or visit TasTAFE’s WorldSkills info page.

26TEN Week – 23-27 October 2023

Join 26TEN to encourage Tasmanians to improve their skills with numbers this 26TEN Week. By highlighting the maths we use every day, at home, at work and in the community, we can inspire people to seek the help they need to have confidence in making numbers work for them.

To find out more about 26TEN or to become a member, head to www.26ten.tas.gov.au

If you want to make a difference in the workplace, 26TEN Workplace Grants are open. Grants of up to $50,000 are available to help your workers improve their numeracy and literacy skills. Apply now at 26TEN Workplace Grants.

Youth Jobs Strategy

Tasmanians are invited to have their say on the Tasmanian Government’s Youth Jobs Strategy through a public consultation process open until 27 October 2023.

The strategy aims to make it easier for young Tasmanians to access opportunities and supports to navigate a pathway into meaningful work or training. It will also look at ways to assist business and industry connect with, attract and support young people to be part of their workforce.

A discussion paper has been produced by the Department of State Growth (Jobs Tasmania) and the Department for Education, Children and Young People to support the public consultation process. People are invited to have their say on key issues raised in the paper or make comment on any other issues they feel may be relevant to the development and implementation of the strategy.

To read the discussion paper and provide feedback or to find out more about the Youth Jobs Strategy, visit youthjobsstrategy.tas.gov.au

International Day of Older Persons

The International Day of Older Persons is held on 1 October every year to draw attention to and challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about older persons and ageing.

Did you know that in almost 20 per cent of workplaces in Australia more than half the workforce is over 50 years old.  And employees aged 55 and above currently comprise almost a fifth (20%) of the Australian workforce.

To read more about the resources available to help support older workers, read the full article here

New Child Safe Framework

Organisations that engage with children and young people (including sole traders) are encouraged to attend online sessions delivered by the Department of Justice about Tasmania’s new legally-mandated Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework that will apply from 2024 onwards.

The framework is similar to workplace health and safety as it represents ongoing best-practice and is not time-limited or temporary. This framework will have an impact on anyone working with, training or employing young people.

Further information can be found at www.justice.tas.gov.au/carcru/child-and-youth-safe-organisations-framework

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium

The Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) held a symposium on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in September 2023.

The symposium brought together experts, practitioners, researchers, and advocates from diverse fields to explore the latest developments in UDL.

By creating an inclusive educational environment that caters to the diverse learning needs of all students, UDL has emerged as a powerful framework for educational innovation and excellence.

ADCET has published the presentations from the symposium on its website at www.adcet.edu.au/udl-symposium/presentations

2023 Australian Training Awards

The 2023 Australian Training Awards will be held in Hobart on Friday, 17 November at Princes Wharf #1.

Join Tasmania’s finalists at this peak national event that showcases and celebrates excellence in vocational education and training.

Tickets sales will open shortly.

Visit: www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au/australian-training-awards-presentation-event