Government and Public Safety Skills and Training Network (GTAN) Forum

(Includes all government agencies, Local Councils, Correctional Services, Public Safety, Police & Defence)

Date: Tuesday 3 March 2026
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am (AEDT)

Water Industry Skills and Training Network (WTAN) Forum

Date: Tuesday 3 March 2026 
Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm (AEDT)

TPEW Program includes opportunities for NSW Water sector employees

The NSW Government’s Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers (TPEW) program provides a streamlined Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway for experienced workers to gain formal trade qualifications, with clear opportunities for the NSW water sector.

While TPEW primarily targets building and construction, a range of water industry qualifications under NWP30222 (Certificate III in Water Industry Operations) are included, covering specialisations such as networks, treatment (water and wastewater), catchments and dams, irrigation and civil construction. This creates a practical pathway for experienced but unqualified water workers to formalise skills and address workforce shortages, particularly in regional and remote utilities.

The program supports up to 600 learners across 2025–27, with funding delivered through Smart and Skilled and additional incentives for approved RTOs delivering high-quality RPL and gap training. Eligible learners must be aged 21+, have at least three years’ industry experience (including 12 months in Australia), and be capable of achieving at least three units through RPL.

For the water sector, TPEW presents a valuable mechanism to upskill existing staff, accelerate qualification outcomes, and strengthen the operational workforce pipeline, especially for treatment plant operators, network technicians and civil maintenance roles.

All students will need to be enrolled by 31 July 2026 and commence by 31 August 2026. All training under the program must be completed by 30 April 2027 and reported by 30 May 2027.

For enquiries regarding the initiative, please email TPEW@det.nsw.edu.au

Regional students explore Sydney’s skills career possibilities

Regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students participated in a four-day Sydney-based career pathways tour at the end of their school year, designed to broaden awareness of skills-based careers across major industries. Fifteen students from Years 9–11 travelled from schools across NSW, representing a range of Country, to experience hands-on learning and industry engagement.

Delivered through the NSW Department of Education’s Careers and Pathways Programs and Aboriginal Education and Communities, the tour included visits to Taronga Zoo, Western Sydney International Airport, One Giant Leap (space and STEM), and a School Infrastructure project featuring Aboriginal-owned trade businesses. Students also took part in a hospitality workshop at the Kimberwalli Centre of Excellence led by the National Indigenous Culinary Institute.

The program aimed to link metropolitan opportunities with pathways available in students’ home communities, building confidence, cultural connection and future career aspirations. Participants reported increased motivation and awareness of the diversity of roles across sectors, returning home with a clearer sense of potential pathways and next steps.

Read the full article on the Department of Education’s website.

Nominations open for the 2026 NSW Training Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2026 NSW Training Awards, recognising excellence across vocational education and training (VET) in NSW and celebrating the achievements of learners, employers, trainers and training providers driving workforce capability and skills development.

Organisations and employers are encouraged to nominate in the following categories: Industry Collaboration; Small & Large Employer of the Year; Small & Large Training Provider of the Year; and two new categories – Disability Inclusion in the VET Sector and Outstanding Achievement in the VET and Skills Sector.

The awards provide a valuable opportunity to showcase innovation, partnership and inclusive workforce practices across the VET sector.

Earlier this month, NSW was well represented at the Australian Training Awards, with Penelope Mackay from the Riverina named VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year, highlighting the strength of vocational education and training across the state.

Check the eligibility and selection criteria on the NSW Training Awards website.

Fresh Start Grant Program – Workforce boost for NSW Local Government

The Office of Local Government (OLG) Fresh Start Program continues to be a major initiative supporting apprenticeships, traineeships and cadetships across NSW councils. It forms a core part of the NSW Government’s strategy to build a stronger, future-ready local government workforce and address long-standing skills shortages. 

By late 2025, 500 new apprentices, trainees and cadets had already commenced with councils across the state under the program, with more than 60% placed in regional and rural areas. Roles funded range from engineering and civil construction to early childhood education, environmental services and the water sector. 

Round 3 of the grant opened mid-2025, creating further opportunities for councils to grow their training pipelines and invest in local talent. Although the formal application window has now closed, councils are encouraged to plan ahead for future funding rounds as further investment continues. 

The Fresh Start Program is boosting capability in core service areas and creating genuine career pathways for entrants into the local government workforce. It is also helping councils respond to workforce gaps, retain local talent and future-proof their operations through investment in skills development. 

ASQA opens consultation on 2026–27 fees and charges

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has released its draft Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) for 2026–27 for public consultation, outlining proposed changes to regulatory fees and charges. The review updates ASQA’s cost recovery model to reflect recent regulatory reforms, new functions and efficiency improvements since moving to full cost recovery in 2022.

ASQA is seeking stakeholder feedback on the proposed changes, including any potential barriers or unintended impacts for training providers and the broader VET sector. Consultation is open until 27 February 2026, with the final fees and CRIS to take effect from 1 July 2026.

To support the consultation, ASQA will host a webinar on 16 February 2026, covering the rationale for cost recovery, key changes from the review, and how the new fees will apply to providers. 

Click here to register for the webinar. Participants can also submit questions in advance during registration.

National Jobs and Skills Councils 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.

JSC activities including Workforce and Training Package projects relevant to Public Sector industries are listed below.