Aug 15, 2024
NSW Public Sector ITAB August 2024 Newsletter
In this month's newsletter
Registrations now for September online GTAN & WTAN Forums
$252M Investment to boost Local Government apprenticeships and traineeships
New ways to stay in touch with Skills NSW
2024 NSW Training Awards Finalists announced
Andrew Giles appointed as new Minister for Skills and Training
FSO Workforce Plan calls for enhanced training to meet Industry demands
NSW SES Youth Internship Program inspires future community leaders
New partnership develops immersive AI-powered fireground training
National Jobs and Skills Council Update
Registrations now for September online GTAN & WTAN 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 online network forums, scheduled for 3 September 2024, will feature guest speakers from a range of sectors, sharing information on emerging trends, innovative practices and skills & training challenges. These sessions will offer time for participants to ask questions about skills and training issues and get updates on VET reforms and the latest funding initiatives in NSW.
Register now to reserve your place. The program will be made available when finalised.
Government and Public Safety Skills and Training Network (GTAN) Forum
(Includes all government agencies, Local Councils, Correctional Services, Public Safety, Police & Defence)
Date: 3 September 2024
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am (AEST)
Water Industry Skills and Training Network (WTAN) Forum
Date: 3 September 2024
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm (AEST)
$252M Investment to boost Local Government apprenticeships and traineeships
The NSW Government is injecting $252.2 million to create 1,300 new apprenticeships and traineeships within the local government sector, marking the state's largest investment in direct employment of apprentices in recent years. This initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of skilled workers by offering positions in high-demand trades such as electricians, plumbers, engineers, and mechanics.
The funding will support the creation of roles beyond current workforce levels, with a focus on retaining jobs within local councils rather than outsourcing to contractors.
The goal is to ensure that 15% of council workforces are made up of apprentices, trainees, and cadets by addressing critical skill shortages identified in studies conducted by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).
Currently, local government in NSW employs over 50,000 individuals across 128 councils, with many starting their careers at local councils remaining in the region and continuing their working life in local industry.
With a shortage of skilled labour acting as a significant obstacle to the development of new housing and infrastructure across NSW, this program will play a key role in training up new apprentices and trainees that will build better communities. This investment is expected to alleviate this skilled labour shortage, while also preparing for the impending retirement of experienced professionals in the sector.
Guidelines for the program are being developed with the first wave of new apprentices and trainees expected to begin early next year.
Read more on this announcement on the Department of Education website.
New ways to stay in touch with Skills NSW
The Department of Education has introduced two new information channels so stakeholders can more easily access up to the minute news and information.
During National Skills Week (19-25 August), the Skills NSW newsletter will be available as a single source of information on NSW Government skills priorities and NSW Department of Education skills programs, opportunities, and initiatives.
It will provide comprehensive skills-related news, updates and opportunities around skills and training and will also showcase success stories and case studies from the vocational education and training (VET sector).
Fill in the form to subscribe for the newsletter by visiting the Department’s website.
As mentioned in our July newsletter, Training Services NSW has also established a popular Skills NSW Facebook page. Sign up to follow the page Facebook.com/SkillsNSW to receive more great skills related content.
2024 NSW Training Awards Finalists announced
The NSW Training Awards, organized annually by Training Services NSW under the NSW Department of Education, celebrate excellence in vocational education and training.
A key objective is to identify and promote Vocational Education and Training (VET) Ambassadors. During the regional phase, top candidates from various industries are shortlisted and interviewed. In the state phase, regional winners are further assessed for character values and virtues, essential qualities for becoming a VET Ambassador.
The full list of finalists for all Award categories have now been announced.
Tickets to the 2024 NSW Training Awards presentation event are also on sale. Join the event to celebrate the amazing individuals and organisations in the VET sector.
Andrew Giles appointed as new Minister for Skills and Training
In a recent ministerial reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Andrew Giles has been appointed as the new Minister for Skills and Training. Previously serving as the Minister for Immigration, Mr. Giles takes over the role following the resignation of Brendan O'Connor. However, unlike his predecessor, Mr. Giles will not be part of the Cabinet. The representation of the skills and training sector in Cabinet will now be handled by Senator Murray Watt, who also assumes the position of Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.
For further details on the ministerial changes, please see the full ministerial arrangements.
FSO Workforce Plan calls for enhanced training to meet Industry demands
The Jobs and Skills Council - Future Skills Organisation (FSO), has released its 2024 Workforce Plan, highlighting that current training programs are not adequately meeting the needs of Australia's finance, technology, and business (FTB) sectors. The plan, an extension of an earlier outline released in January, points to several critical challenges, including a lack of workforce diversity, unclear career pathways, and training products that are not aligned with industry requirements.
According to the report, only 34% of survey respondents believe that current FTB training programs meet industry needs, with the ICT training package receiving particularly low approval at just 19%. The plan emphasizes that while vocational education and training (VET) could play a significant role in addressing skill shortages, negative perceptions from both industry and students are hindering its effectiveness in these sectors.
The FTB sectors, which employ nearly 1.5 million Australians (11.5% of the national workforce), have a relatively low number of workers with VET qualifications as their highest credential. The FSO's "Agenda for Action" includes strategies to boost vocational training enrolments across all demographics and improve the alignment of training packages with industry needs.
Patrick Kidd, CEO of FSO, announced that six projects aimed at enhancing Australia’s digital capabilities are already underway, with additional initiatives based on the latest workforce plan under consideration.
NSW SES Youth Internship Program inspires future community leaders
Following its successful trial in 2023, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Youth Internship Program is back in Ballina, Shellharbour, Casino, Cootamundra, and Dorrigo. The program is designed to empower 15 to 16-year-old students by equipping them with vital skills and encouraging them to become future community leaders.
Over a 10-week period, students will participate in weekly sessions where they will learn key skills such as communication, basic first aid, leadership, and flood and storm response, all under the guidance of experienced NSW SES volunteers.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, praised the program for its innovative approach to volunteering, noting how it not only teaches practical skills but also highlights the benefits of volunteering with emergency services.
NSW SES Acting Commissioner Debbie Platz emphasized the program’s role in inspiring the next generation of SES volunteers. She noted that last year’s trial demonstrated strong interest from young people, with a quarter of the participants eventually joining the SES as volunteers.
The program also offers students exposure to other emergency services, including NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, and Fire and Rescue NSW, providing a broader understanding of career pathways within these sectors.
Students interested in participating in the internship should reach out to their school career advisors to express their interest.
Read the full article here.
New partnership develops immersive AI-powered fireground training
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is partnering with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to develop an innovative AI-powered training system for firefighters, marking a first for Australian fire agencies. UNSW has invested over $35 million in AI programs, with $250,000 worth of ‘iFire’ technology provided to FRNSW for immersive training.
This technology enables firefighters to train in virtual reality settings at the FRNSW Emergency Services Academy, simulating various scenarios to enhance situational awareness and incident response. Initially focused on peri-urban settings, the iFire system could expand to include complex urban emergencies in the future.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib emphasized the importance of this partnership in enhancing preparedness through innovative training approaches. FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell highlighted the technology’s potential to improve understanding of bushfires and urban incidents, while UNSW’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Attila Brungs, underscored the benefits this collaboration will bring to first responders and community safety.
Read the full article on the Fire + Rescue website.
National Jobs and Skills Council Update
Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) are a national network of industry owned and led organisations, designed to provide leadership in addressing national skills and training needs. They have been established to supply industry with a strong and strategic voice within the VET sector as part of broader government-led skills reform.
Activity related to key JSCs affiliated to Public Sector industries is outlined below.
Public Skills Australia (PSA): Public Skills Australia has completed their round of Qualification Reform project consultations across the country and are now collating feedback. Watch out for their soon to be released Workforce Plan. Access the Annual Training Product Development Plan and the project webpages.
BuildSkills Australia (BSA): BuildSkills is holding consultation workshops around the country as part of qualification reform in the property services industry. Register here. Visit the website to register your interest in being involved or read the latest industry news. Reach out to George Wall for any specific water sector issues.
Future Skills Organisation (FSO): Visit the FSO website to access the 2024 Workforce Plan, Agenda for Action. Current projects, news and reports and papers are also available for viewing.