Apr 29, 2024
NSW Public Sector ITAB April 2024 Newsletter
In this month's newsletter
- Join our May GTAN and WTAN industry forums
- NSW Government commits to an additional 1000 apprentices and trainees
- NSW Government extends Support for Women in Construction Program
- Jobs Summit to help Local Councils build a sustainable workforce
- Funded emergency service training for EV incident response
- Establishing a Technical Competency Benchmark for Water Industry Operators
- Global Footprint Scholarships about to open to young Australians
- Artificial intelligence: challenges and opportunities
- Nominate now for the Australian Training Awards
Join our May GTAN and WTAN online forums
Convened by the NSW Public Sector ITAB, these forums bring together the Government and Public Safety Skills and Training Network (GTAN) and Water Industry Skills and Training Network (WTAN) to exchange insights and information related to workforce development within the government, public safety, corrections, and water sectors across NSW.
Our next network forums, scheduled for 28 May 2024, will be conducted online and will feature guest speakers from a range of sectors, sharing information on emerging trends and innovations as well as the challenges they confront. These sessions will offer time for participants to ask questions about the latest challenges and opportunities in skill development and training. Attendees can also expect updates on current VET reforms and the latest funding initiatives for the various sectors in NSW.
Register now to reserve your place. The program will be made available once finalised.
Government and Public Safety Skills and Training Network (GTAN) Forum
(Includes all government agencies, Local Councils, Correctional Services, Public Safety, Police & Defence)
Date: 28 May 2024
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am (AEST)
Water Industry Skills and Training Network (WTAN) Forum
Date: 28 May 2024
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm (AEST)
NSW Government commits to an additional 1000 apprentices and trainees
The 1000 NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees Program plans to position the NSW public sector as a leader in the employment of apprentices and trainees, which will in turn play a direct role in addressing skills shortages across NSW. It hopes to do this by employing an additional 1000 apprentices and trainees across NSW Government agencies and State Owned Corporations over 3 financial years from 2024 to 2026.
The long-term policy aim is to build capacity within NSW Government agencies and State Owned Corporations to utilise apprenticeships and traineeships as an alternative recruitment pathway to meet their skills needs.
For more information on how this program will be delivered and in what ways apprenticeships and traineeships can support an organisation’s skills needs, visit the NSW Government website.
The 1000 NSW Public Sector Government Apprentices and Trainees program round two applications will open in August 2024.
NSW Government Extends Support for Women in Construction Program
The NSW Labor Government is continuing its investment in the NSW Women in Construction Program to foster a major shift toward better gender diversity in the construction sector. The latest funding includes pilot projects targeting increased female participation in trades and non-traditional roles in construction, focusing on various government infrastructure projects such as the Powerhouse, Parramatta and the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.
With 16 project officers assigned across 19 government infrastructure projects, the initiative is designed to support contractors and sub-contractors in meeting female participation targets. These officers will also facilitate training opportunities and connections with training and education opportunities to cultivate a pipeline of skilled workers for the future.
Early outcomes from the pilot sites show promising increases in female workforce participation. Given the government's $117 billion commitment to infrastructure over the next four years, diversifying the construction workforce has become a crucial objective.
Plans are underway to potentially make women-in-construction targets mandatory for all future government projects, based on data from these pilots. Ministers Steve Whan and Jodie Harrison have highlighted the success of these initiatives in increasing female apprenticeship rates and enhancing industry inclusivity, marking a pivotal step towards tackling gender segregation and skills shortages in construction.
Read the full article on the TSNSW website.
Jobs Summit to help Local Councils build a sustainable workforce
An upcoming jobs summit to be held in Sydney on May 1st aims to address the long-standing challenges of staff attraction and retention within local government. Organized by Local Government NSW on behalf of national councils, the Careers at Council Jobs Summit will serve as a platform for council decision-makers to discuss recent shifts in the employment landscape.
Local Government NSW President, Cr Darriea Turley AM, highlighted the urgency of the summit by noting that 91% of local governments in Australia experienced skills shortages during 2021-22, and staff turnover rates were alarmingly high at 18% for 2022-23.
The summit will feature insights from labour market specialists and showcase successful council practices, focusing on effective engagement strategies with potential future employees from educational institutions and untapped talent pools. Discussions will also cover flexible work models, job redesign, succession planning, and the implications of artificial intelligence on job roles and service delivery.
This pivotal one-day event is recommended for HR teams, elected officials, general managers, and hiring managers in local government, emphasizing its significance for those involved in sector recruitment and management.
To learn more about the Jobs Summit and to register, visit the LGNSW website.
Funded emergency service training for EV incident response
Emergency responders in New South Wales now have access to a free training course on dealing with electric vehicle (EV) incidents, thanks to a new collaboration between TAFE NSW and Fire and Rescue NSW.
The initiative aims to address the rising number of EVs, which saw sales increase by 161% in 2023, with 87,217 units sold. This specialized training is available to all members of Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, VRA Rescue NSW, and major road network incident teams.
The course, which is mandatory for all Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters, covers the identification and mitigation of hazards, safe working practices, firefighting and rescue techniques specific to EVs, and guidelines for the safe transport and storage of damaged vehicles.
Offered in both online and face-to-face formats, this initiative is part of TAFE NSW's broader effort to support the renewable energy sector and enhance the skills of emergency personnel in response to evolving technology.
Read the full article on the NSW Government website.
Establishing a Technical Competency Benchmark for Water Industry Operators
A pioneering collaboration involving 23 partners from the water industry across seven states and territories has produced essential tools designed to improve the training and competency of water industry operators. The Technical Competency Benchmark for Water Industry Operators project (WaterRA Project 1139) has resulted in the creation of an Auditing Tool, a Benchmarking Report, and a detailed Summary Report, marking a major advancement in standardizing operator training within the water industry.
This initiative, which builds on the findings from the Value of Operator Competency Project (2019), has formulated a technical competency benchmark and an auditing tool specifically for frontline operators. The tools were developed through extensive industry collaboration and aim to establish minimum standards for technical competency, promoting uniform training practices across the sector.
The release of Part A of these tools is a crucial step in enhancing operator competency, with Part B expected to be released later in 2024. Part B will focus on learning from experienced operators and identifying key themes in water safety incidents related to decision-making failures.
These resources are available to both members and non-members of WaterRA, ensuring that the industry remains well-equipped to address challenges and maintain high standards of service delivery nationwide.
Global Footprint Scholarships about to open to young Australians
Applications for the Global Footprints Scholarships, previously known as BBM Scholarships, will open on May 1, 2024. Targeting young professionals in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, and various trades, these scholarships provide $9,000 for recipients to gain global work experience focused on sustainability.
Eligible applicants must be trained in Vocational Education and Training (VET), have a keen interest in sustainability within their sector, and possess a vision for Australia’s future.
The program offers professional coaching, networking opportunities, and group workshops, aiming to develop practical and impactful leaders dedicated to growing a better world.
Since its inception in 1983, over 1,000 Australians have benefited from the scholarship, returning with valuable skills and insights to inspire others.
Applications open 1 May 2024. For more details and eligibility criteria visit the Global Footprints website.
Artificial intelligence: challenges and opportunities
The 2023 edition of the OECD Employment Outlook series evaluates the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on the labour market. It focuses on the dual challenge of mitigating AI's potential negative impacts on employment outcomes while preserving its benefits.
The series is part of a broader discourse explored in other VOCEDplus publications which discuss AI's potential risks but also benefits to skills, training, and the labour market.
Some of the publications are listed below:
- ChatGPT: leveraging AI to support personalized teaching and learning
- Impact of generative AI on skills in the workplace
- Opportunities and drawbacks of using artificial intelligence for training
- The age of uncertainty and opportunity: work in the age of AI
- The impact of AI on the workplace: evidence from OECD case studies of AI implementation
- Using AI in the workplace: risks and policy responses
- Using AI to support people with disability in the labour market: opportunities and challenges
Nominate now for the Australian Training Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 direct entry categories of the Australian Training Awards. These awards honour outstanding achievements in vocational education and training (VET), serving as a key platform to highlight the advantages of VET programs in developing the Australian workforce of the future.
Participants can either enter directly or compete as winners from state and territory training awards to contend for national recognition.
Categories open for nominations include:
- Outstanding Achievement in the VET and Skills Sector Award
- Innovation in VET Award
- Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award
- School Pathways to VET Award
- Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award
Finalists from these categories will compete alongside winners from the State and Territory Training Awards at the national gala event later in the year.
Entries must be submitted via the Australian Training Awards website and will close on Friday, 31 May 2024.
For further information on eligibility and selection criteria, visit the Australian Training Awards website.
National Jobs and Skills Council Update
Activity related to key JSCs affiliated to Public Sector industries:
Public Skills Australia (PSA): Updates to the DEF Defence Training Package have recently been endorsed and are now published on www.training.gov.au. Visit the PSA website to register your interest in the work of PSA or place an enquiry.
BuildSkills Australia (BSA): This JSC has completed their series of Roundtables across the country and are now collating feedback to inform the development of their 2024 Workforce Plan. Visit the website to register your interest in being involved or make a case for change to improve industry training products. Reach out to George Wall for any specific water sector issues.
Future Skills Organisation (FSO): Visit the FSO website to view the workforce plan, current project, news and events and read reports such as the Impact of generative AI on skills in the workplace.
