Sep 11, 2024
NSW Public Sector ITAB September 2024 Newsletter
In this month's newsletter
- September GTAN AND WTAN Forum Resources now available
- NSW invests in 1300 local council apprentices and trainees
- Training Services NSW Updates
- Huge shortfall in childhood education and care sector workers
- Jobs and Skills Australia releases its latest Labour Market Update
- VET Review final report reveals a vision to transform the skills sector
- Interagency training day for NSW emergency responders
- National Jobs and Skills Council Update
September GTAN AND WTAN Forum Resources now available
Facilitated by the NSW Public Sector ITAB, the Government and Water Trainers and Assessors Networks (GTAN and WTAN) meet regularly to share and discuss issues impacting skilling and training within government, public safety and water industries across metropolitan, regional and rural NSW.
The 3 September Forums were a great success and on behalf of the ITAB and all network participants, we’d like to thank the following forum presenters for sharing their time, expertise and insights into skills and training within their organisations/sectors.
• James Stroud & Peter Bawden, Public Skills Australia
• Danny White, Training Services NSW
• Nikki Ristoski, NSW State Emergency Services
• George Wall – Build Skills Australia
• Kirralee Donovan and Tim Hodgman, Rous County Council
• Lisa Andersons – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water
Government and Public Safety Skills and Training Network Forum (GTAN)
(All level of Government, Local Councils, Correctional Services, Public Safety, Police & Defence)
Date: 3 September 2024 Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Water Industry Skills and Training Network (WTAN)
Date: 3 September 2024 Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
NSW invests in 1300 local council apprentices and trainees
The NSW Government is allocating $252.2 million to create 1,300 new apprenticeships and traineeships in the local government sector, representing the state's largest recent investment in direct employment for apprentices. This initiative aims to build a new generation of skilled workers in high-demand trades such as electricians, plumbers, engineers, and mechanics.
The funding will create new roles within local councils, focusing on retaining jobs in-house instead of outsourcing to contractors. The goal is to have 15% of council workforces made up of apprentices, trainees, and cadets, addressing critical skill shortages identified by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).
Currently, over 50,000 people are employed by local governments across 128 NSW councils, with many staying in the region for their careers. The shortage of skilled labour has hindered housing and infrastructure development, and this program will help train new workers to support these needs while preparing for the retirement of experienced professionals.
Program guidelines are being developed, with the first group of apprentices and trainees expected to start early next year.
Read more on the Department of Education website.
Training Services NSW Updates
NSW Skills List Updated – Version 15.1
The NSW Skills List and Smart and Skilled Prices and Fees schedule have been updated. In addition to the price changes described above, this update covers changes because of:
• qualifications added to the NSW Skills List
• updates to training packages
• updates to Vocational Training Orders (VTOs)
• ASQA extensions to qualification transition periods.
Version 15.1 of the NSW Skills List is now available at the Education and Training Website.
Smart and Skilled Operating Guidelines for 2024-25 released
Training Services NSW has released a new version of the Smart and Skilled Operating Guidelines for the 2024-25 Activity Period. The new version released on 15 August 2024 is now available on the NSW Government website.
Huge shortfall in childhood education and care sector workers
A recent study by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) reveals that nearly 90,000 additional workers will be needed in the early childhood education and care sector over the next decade due to planned changes to government policies aimed at increasing access to these services.
The JSA Early Childhood Education and Care Workforce Capacity Study highlights that even at current levels, the 200,000-strong workforce is under significant pressure. It warns that existing workforce levels are unsustainable and will struggle to meet demand.
With plans to expand early childhood education to a universal model of up to 30 hours per week, including preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, the workforce must grow by 3% annually through to 2034, requiring an additional 89,000 workers. Early childhood teachers, in particular, will need to increase by 5.4% annually, which translates to 26,000 extra staff.
The study also raises concerns about the sector's predominant qualification, the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, calling it "too complex and broadly focused." It recommends that the HumanAbility Jobs and Skills Council review the qualification to streamline learning outcomes without compromising quality.
Jobs and Skills Australia releases its latest Labour Market Update
The June 2024 Labour Market Update shows early signs of softening in Australia’s job market. While employers are finding it somewhat easier to fill positions, roles requiring Certificate III or IV qualifications continue to experience low fill rates, indicating ongoing skills shortages.
Employment growth remains robust, largely driven by an increase in the working-age population, with projections suggesting the unemployment rate will rise to 4.5% by mid-2025. Recruitment rates have dropped across most states, with Victoria recording the lowest rate, and Western Australia and Queensland the highest. Despite a reduction in recruitment challenges since 2022, regional areas still face greater difficulties.
A decline in job advertisements suggests reduced demand for labour moving forward. While the job market is less competitive than before, employers in certain skilled professions continue to struggle to find qualified candidates.
This quarter’s focus explores the relationship between job fill rates and hourly earnings. Managers and Professionals, including Finance Managers, General Managers, ICT Managers, Policy and Planning Managers, and Production Managers, dominate the list of occupations with high hourly wages but low fill rates.
Labour Market Update - June 2024 | Jobs and Skills Australia
VET Review final report reveals a vision to transform the skills sector
The NSW Government has released the final report from its independent Vocational Education and Training (VET) Review Panel, marking significant progress in its efforts to revitalize the state's VET system. This announcement was made during National Skills Week, underlining the importance of vocational training in shaping NSW’s future workforce.
The report is the result of a comprehensive consultation process involving over 1,100 participants across regional tours, roundtables, and a Skills Symposium. It includes 21 recommendations aimed at overhauling TAFE NSW, enhancing support for learners, and amplifying the role of local industries.
Key recommendations include a needs-based funding model, better coordination of essential services, and increased support for equity groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and those in regional areas. The report also calls for stronger collaboration between the government and industry, with a focus on skills development in priority sectors and stronger connections between high school and post-school training.
The NSW Government is reviewing these recommendations and has already started acting on some interim report proposals, such as consultations on a new TAFE NSW Charter and an updated operating model. A formal response to the final report is expected in the future.
The final report can be accessed here.
Interagency training day for NSW emergency responders
The Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) conducted an emergency simulation day in August, in collaboration with the NSW Rural Fire Service, VRA Rescue NSW, and NSW Ambulance. The event, held at Charmhaven RFS, aimed to enhance interagency cooperation and improve emergency response effectiveness.
Participants included medical students from the Central Coast Clinical School (University of Newcastle) alongside teams from NSW Ambulance, NSW Rural Fire Service, and VRA Rescue NSW. They engaged in a series of realistic simulated emergency scenarios, such as a burning building, a pedestrian hit by a car, and an injury involving heavy machinery. These simulations, supported by actors and real-life settings, allowed participants to practice critical care and decision-making skills, from pre-hospital care to emergency department transfers.
Dr. Hemal Patel, Wyong Hospital Emergency Medicine Staff Specialist, highlighted the benefits of the exercise, which not only reinforced new procedures but also promoted critical thinking in emergency situations.
The shared training experience fostered collaboration, strengthened teamwork, and improved understanding of each agency's role, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes.
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr. Dominic Morgan emphasized the importance of such simulation days for enhancing cooperation between paramedics, doctors, nurses, and other emergency responders, ensuring optimal care for the community through continuous training and real-life scenario practice.
Read the full article here.
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. Its current projects include Defence Public Affairs Qualifications, Firefighting Appliance Pump Technicians and Emergency Tree Operations. Find out more.
BuildSkills Australia (BSA): BuildSkills is conducting several Training Projects including White Card Implementation and Minimum Australian Context Gap Training for Migrant Plumbers. 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.