AIS Newsletter April 2022

 

CEO Update

In a blink of an eye, we are a quarter way through 2022. It feels just like yesterday we were starting 2022 filled with purpose and looking forward to new opportunities. Speaking of new opportunities and an eye on the future, at the end of March we submitted our proposal to Government to form the Wholesale, Retail, Transport and Logistics Industry Cluster.

 

We’re genuinely overwhelmed and more than a little humbled by the support we’ve received from across the sectors, including from the big multi-nationals, small business, industry organisations, unions and key VET stakeholders.

 

This support follows three months of intense consultation and development of a model that will ensure the Industry Cluster is industry-led, that its solutions are industry-owned and that it supports all industries in a transparent and equitable manner.

 

Thank you to each and every individual and organisation who has been part of this process.

 

The new Industry Clusters are an opportunity to truly innovate, to do things differently whilst building on the very best of what Australia’s national training system has to offer. As transition to the new Industry Clusters occurs, we will do everything possible to ensure that it is as seamless as possible for all stakeholders of the national training system. Contact us at [email protected] to find out more.

 

As pandemic restrictions continue to ease, face to face engagement is gaining momentum in working with industry to transform careers through the power of skills. It was great to talk about the challenges facing the transport industry and the opportunities that lay ahead at the 2022 VTA State Conference. The interest from transport businesses in the Heavy Vehicle Driving Apprenticeship shows their commitment to investing in people and skills development.

 

Australia has been involved in the Space industry for many decades, and I’m sure many of you are familiar with Australia’s involvement in the mans’ first steps on the moon in 1969. Tracking stations at Honeysuckle Creek and Parkes in New South Wales, relayed images back to Earth of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon.

 

Technologies relating to space were once considered those of the future – robots, drones, remote sensors, and artificial intelligence – but are very much where we are at now. For Australia to be competitive, we need to not only adopt these technologies but also ensure we have Australians with the right skills and expertise to make it happen. I recently had the pleasure of attending the Australian Space Summit 2022. As Australia’s space industry continues to expand, it is predicted 20,000 jobs will be needed by 2030. Vocational education and training will play a crucial role in skilling the future workforce in this exciting industry. At AIS, we are committed to driving skills development to position Australia as a leader in space.

 

We will shortly be launching the 2022 Supply Chain Industry Outlook covering the Transport & Logistics, Rail, Maritime and Aviation industries. Developed in consultation with industry, the Outlook identifies six megatrends which have and will continue to impact the supply chain. The Outlook presents a whole-of-industry view about the opportunities and challenges for skills development of the workforce, necessary to support supply chain resilience. Keep a lookout for the launch details that will be rolled out in the coming weeks.

 

Thank you.

 

Paul Walsh

CEO

 

Supply Chain Industry Outlook 2022 is coming!

We are excited to announce the impending release of the Supply Chain Industry Outlook 2022.

 

This Industry Outlook provides a snapshot of a continually evolving story for industries in the supply chain that is intended to alert and inform a wide audience and enhance the industry’s capacity to act on workforce development initiatives.

 

As part of this work, we consulted broadly with stakeholders to ensure a whole-of-industry view about the opportunities and challenges for the workforce and the work necessary to meet industry needs.

 

The launch details will be rolling out in the coming weeks.

 

Training Package Updates

New training package releases endorsed

New releases of Aviation, Transport and Logistics (Rail), and ESI Generation Training Packages have been endorsed by Skills Ministers for implementation.

 

The Industry Reference Committees responsible for these Training Packages, with the support of subject matter experts on Technical Advisory Committees, developed the new and updated materials contained in these releases through the projects below to address priority skills needs and current industry practices:

 

Aviation (AVI release 9.0)

Revised materials include updates to three Units of Competency in the Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane) that contain aspects of ‘spinning’, in particular ‘incipient spin’. Given the safety risks associated with the application of spinning, it is critical that training and assessment is appropriate and is consistent with regulations and standards. New training materials will be available on training.gov.au soon.

 

Transport and Logistics – Rail (TLI release 11.0)

Rail Customer Service – two Qualifications, two Skill Sets and seven associated Units of Competency have been updated to address customer service skills and knowledge related to ticketing and security requirements.

 

With rail passenger numbers projected to climb steadily in the coming years, safety and customer satisfaction has become an even greater priority for the industry. Rail operators are placing a significant focus on training staff to improve their customer service skills, with the aim of increasing passenger satisfaction levels.

 

ESI Generation (UEP release 2.0)

Revised materials address priority skills needs of the ESI Generation Industry, and include updates to nine qualifications, four Skill Sets and 159 Units of Competency.

 

Remote Area Essential Service – the Certificate II in Remote Area Essential Service has been updated to address new power generation technology skills and provide clear vocational pathways to enhance employment opportunities for remote area communities.

 

Operations Personnel – the updated Training Package materials address changes in the generation industry, including the move to renewable energy power generation, increasing automation of power generation control systems and data analytics.

 

Wind Power Generation – the Certificate IV in Large Scale Wind Generation and associated Units of Competency have been reviewed and updated to align with new technologies and current work and safety practices for wind turbine operators. New training materials will be available on training.gov.au soon.

 

Current Training Package development projects

There are currently 38 projects covering all industries that AIS supports. Of these, draft materials are at the validation stage in 25 of the projects before being submitted to the AISC for approval. All projects are scheduled to be completed in 2022.

 

Please visit the project page for a list of all current projects.

 

First Aid Units updated in Training Packages

The following Training Packages have been updated in accordance with the Australian Industry Skills Committee’s (AISC) direction to update superseded imported first aid units (either as elective, core, or perquisites) by the 31 March 2022.

  • Aviation Training Package Release 8.3
  • Correctional Services Training Package Release 4.1
  • Defence Training Package Release 4.3
  • Electrotechnology Training Package Release 3.1
  • Public Safety Training Package Release 3.2

 

These releases include minor updates to qualifications and Units of Competency that include superseded first aid units from the Health Training Package.

 

Additional superseded imported elective units have also been updated in these minor changes.

 

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has agreed to extend the transition period for superseded first aid units to 14 April 2022.

 

Proposed Training Package projects submitted for approval

The following proposed Training Package projects were submitted to the AISC for approval at its April meeting.

 

Powerline Safety project

The ESI Transmission, Distribution and Rail Industry Reference Committee has submitted a Case for Change to the AISC for Training Package development work related to Powerline Safety. The project will address the skills and knowledge required by non-Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) workers to work safely near overhead electrical powerlines.

 

This work is vital to ensuring awareness and education of non-ESI workers across industries about the risks and hazards associated with working near electrical powerlines. These industries include, but are not limited to agriculture, construction, mining, forestry, arborists, communication, transport, and waste recycling (garbage trucks).

 

Police Community, Liaison and Forensic Investigation projects

The Public Safety Industry Reference Committee has submitted a Case for Change to the AISC for the review of 5 qualifications and 25 Units of Competency in the Police Training Package relating to Community Engagement, Police Liaison, Aboriginal Community Policing and Forensic Investigation.

 

Seamless Future Rail Skills

Thank you to stakeholders who provided feedback on the proposed training pathways for existing and future rail workers.

 

The Seamless Future Rail Skills project has been initiated to improve access and pathways to current and future rail skills needed to build and operate the national rail network. This will help increase workforce supply.

 

Developing training pathways underpinned by a strategic skills audit will support new and existing workers shifting into new roles.

 

30 training pathways are being developed in four tranches under the guidance and direction of the project’s Technical Advisory Group and the Reference Group. Public stakeholder consultation for tranche one and two of the training pathways has now concluded and will be collated for consideration by the Technical Advisory Group. If you would like to be involved in the consultation period for tranche three, please email [email protected] to be notified of the training pathways release.

 

Nominations Open for 2022 Training Awards

Nominations are now open for State and Territory training awards across the country.

 

Vocational education and training continue to grow in popularity and presents as a real career pathway for Australians from all walks of life. VET qualifications build confident, skilled, and knowledgeable employees that in turn contribute to business sustainability and growth.

 

The Training Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements of apprentices, students, teachers, employers, and training providers in the VET sector. Winners will progress to the annual Australian Training Awards in November to compete against winners from all states and territories for the national titles.

 

Nomination dates are as follows: