May 22, 2024
NSW Public Sector ITAB May 2024 Newsletter
In this month's newsletter
- Last chance to register for May GTAN and WTAN online forums
- NSW Government commits to an additional 1000 apprentices and trainees
- 2024 Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships
- Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government
- Attracting young women into trade careers
- Co-designing change: Town Water Risk Reduction Program
- First responders test their road crash rescue skills
- 2024 Australian Government Budget: Key Highlights for Skills and Training
- National Jobs and Skills Council Update
Last chance to register for 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 is now available on the event pages.
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)
- Register now
Water Industry Skills and Training Network (WTAN) Forum
- Date: 28 May 2024
- Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm (AEST)
- Register now
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.
2024 Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships
NSW apprentices facing financial or personal hardships can now apply for the 2024 Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships.
With a total investment of $2.25 million, the program will award 150 successful applicants a $5,000 annual scholarship for three years, amounting to $15,000 each.
The initiative, emphasizing diversity and inclusion, has supported over 900 apprentices since 2014, including Indigenous people, those with disabilities, women in non-traditional trades, and mature-aged individuals from regional areas.
The scholarship, honouring Bert Evans AO, aims to assist apprentices in overcoming challenges and completing their training. It forms part of the NSW Apprenticeship and Traineeship Roadmap (2024-2026), designed to enhance apprenticeship opportunities in NSW.
Eligible first-year apprentices, including school-based apprentices, are encouraged to apply by Friday, 31 May 2024.
More information is available on the NSW Department of Education website.
Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government, celebrating the exceptional achievements and contributions of women in NSW councils.
Established in 2008, these awards highlight the invaluable efforts of female councillors and council staff in metropolitan and regional/rural areas, who work tirelessly to improve their communities.
The award categories are tailored for metropolitan and regional/rural councils, including county councils and joint organizations. They include:
- Alternative Pathways Award: For a female staff member challenging gender stereotypes.
- Champion of Change Award: For male and female general managers or senior managers excelling in supporting women’s participation.
- Elected Representative Award: For a female councillor enhancing the role of female elected representatives.
- Employment Diversity Award: For a successful council program boosting female participation in senior leadership or elected positions.
- Woman of Distinction Award: For a woman demonstrating exceptional innovation, integrity, and initiative or positively influencing others.
- Young Achiever’s Award: For an outstanding female staff member (including trainees and apprentices) aged 25 and under.
- Councillor Lilliane Brady OAM Award: No nominations required. This award is determined by the Minister to honour a female council staff member or elected representative.
The late Cobar Mayor Lilliane Brady OAM inspired the naming of this Minister’s award for Local Government and honours her distinguished career as the State’s longest-serving female mayor and her advocacy for women in local government.
Nominations close on Friday, 14 June 2024. To make a nomination, please click here.
Attracting young women into trade careers
Despite progress in workforce diversity, women's representation in traditionally male-dominated trades remains notably low. Training Services NSW and the NSW Department of Customer Service’s Behavioural Insights Unit have partnered to develop evidence-based interventions to address this issue.
In a range of male-dominated industries that also experience significant skill shortages, women constitute only 2% of qualified trade workers. Non-traditional trades where women make up less than 25% of the workforce, are often critical areas where increasing female participation is vital.
In April 2024, Chloe Read, Deputy Secretary of Education and Skills Reform, launched four key resources aimed at empowering women to pursue and succeed in non-traditional trades.
The initiative focuses on reducing social, cultural, and emotional barriers that hinder women's entry and retention in trade-related employment.
Key interventions include:
- Communications Guide: Provides stakeholders with strategies to effectively engage women and encourage careers in non-traditional trades.
- Life Phases: Women in Trades: Offers support tailored to different career stages, helping women navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
- Employer’s Toolkit: Guides employers on attracting, recruiting, and retaining women in trades, fostering inclusive workplaces.
- Women in Trades Promising Practice Review: Identifies best practices and innovative approaches to overcome barriers to women's participation in trades.
These resources highlight the importance of early engagement, emphasizing the roles of parents and educators in encouraging young women to explore diverse career paths. For more information about trade pathways for women, visit Trade Pathways for Women.
Co-designing change: Town Water Risk Reduction Program
The latest podcast in the ‘United by Water’ series has just been released and describes the origins and evolution of the Town Water Risk Reduction Program (TWRRP) which was established by the Department Planning and Environment (DPE) and continues under what is now known as the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
In this episode, Jo Taranto sits down with Amanda Chadwick, Carmel Krogh and Brendan Guiney to discuss co-designing change for the Town Water Risk Reduction Program. Amanda Chadwick is the Executive Director of the performance division in the water group at the Department of Planning and Environment. Carmel Krogh is an independent consultant who's been working on the town water risk reduction program and Brendan Guiney is the Executive Officer for the NSW Water Directorate.
The podcast explains the drivers for this program and how a range of stakeholders in the water industry worked collaboratively on a common goal to change practices and approaches to improve the water regulatory framework and the industry overall.
Find a link to the podcast on the Australian Water Association website.
First responders test their road crash rescue skills
Dubbo is set to host the multi-agency 'Road Crash Rescue Challenge', featuring 19 teams of first responders from across Australia. This two-day event on May 25-26, 2024 allows frontline emergency workers to showcase their skills in incident command, vehicle extractions, and first aid.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) will compete alongside NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Victoria’s Country Fire Authority (CFA), and the Volunteer Rescue Association NSW (VRA).
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) will compete alongside NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Victoria’s Country Fire Authority (CFA), and the Volunteer Rescue Association NSW (VRA). Teams will have 30 minutes to complete the ‘Entrapped’ and ‘Controlled’ road crash rescue challenges, plus three additional scenarios in ‘Trauma’, ‘CPR’, and ‘Industrial & Domestic Rescue.’
Acting Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Steer of FRNSW highlighted that the event builds skills and strengthens inter-agency relationships. "It's a great opportunity to learn from other agencies and share ideas," she said.
NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Daniel Austin emphasised the importance of the event for developing skills and enhancing inter-agency cooperation stating that "Events like this ensure our volunteers are highly competent and can adapt quickly to any situation.”
For more information, visit the NSW State Road Crash Rescue Challenge website.
2024 Australian Government Budget: Key Highlights for Skills and Training
The 2024 skills and training budget announcements were largely driven by national priorities aimed at fulfilling the goals of the National Skills Agreement and the Australian Universities Accord and introduced new investments in the skills training and higher education sectors.
The significant financial commitments were focused on developing the clean energy workforce, including $30 million dedicated to the teacher, trainer, and assessor workforce. Funding was also provided to tackle housing supply issues by enhancing the skills of the construction workforce.
Another key national priority addressed was helping women secure higher-paying careers through vocational education and training (VET) skills and qualifications. A total of $55.6 million was allocated to support women in benefiting from the Future Made in Australia initiative.
The other important announcement was the allocation of $27.7million for tertiary collaboration. This will include exploring ways to improve both credit recognition and regulatory approaches for dual sector institutions and universities.
For more information on Skills and Training aspects of the Budget, visit the DEWR 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.
