CEO Update

Skills Ministers met on 31 July 2020 and discussed a range of priorities in response to COVID-19 and to progress long-term reforms for the VET sector. Key areas discussed included:

• New National Cabinet arrangements which has replaced COAG
• Jurisdictions signing a new Heads of Agreement for Skills Reform to commit to immediate reforms to improve VET quality and relevance along with a set of high-level reform priorities to be worked through as part of a new national skills funding agreement
• A further review of a draft VET Reform Roadmap to reflect the impact of COVID-19 as well as stakeholder feedback
• Consideration from senior officials of gaps in service delivery for impacted apprenticeships and trainees from
  COVID-19 and advice on how to address.

The meeting communique provides further details.

 

AIS continues to support 11 Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) to provide advice on critical skills and training needs. Over the last couple of weeks, this has included the preparation of Industry Briefing Papers to support a series of IRC meetings to gather industry intelligence and commence the Skills Forecast process for 2021. With the ongoing uncertainty around COVID-19, the input from industry in forecasting skills and training needs is critical to support Australia’s economic recovery.

 

Over the last few weeks IRCs have also been surveyed to provide important intelligence to the Digital Transformation Expert Panel. AIS is supporting the Panel to provide advice on how Australia’s VET system can most effectively respond to digital change underway across industry and its impact on the nation’s workforce.  It will report to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee in November 2020. With the global pandemic accelerating existing trends in digital transformation, the VET sector has a vital role to play in supporting Australian industry and the nation’s workforce.

 

The development of a strategic Roadmap for the VET sector is important and AIS looks forward to seeing the updated document following the next Skills Ministers’ meeting.  AIS’ work in Vietnam over the last few months hit an important milestone last week with the endorsement of the Logistics Industry Reference Council (LIRC) Roadmap to 2024. A meeting of the LIRC with Australian Embassy staff in attendance tabled the Roadmap, which was presented by staff from AIS Global. We look forward to continuing to support Vietnam in its path to developing an industry-led VET system.

 

As the pandemic continues, we are committed to working collaboratively with industry, government and enterprises to deliver workforce solutions. Our thoughts are particularly with our Victorian colleagues and friends, and I’d like to acknowledge AIS’ Melbourne-based staff who continue to work hard to skill Australia’s workforce despite the current challenges.

 

Finally, I would like to thank Joe Calabrese for his valuable contribution on the Gas IRC as both a member and Deputy Chair over several years.

 

Robert Adams

CEO

New Aviation Skill Set released

A new release of the Aviation Training Package (6.0) was recently announced to support training needs in the use of new 3D Computed Tomography (CT) scanning technology. New 3D scanning equipment is a priority of government to strengthen aviation security at Tier 1 airports in Australia. Industry identified a need to train individuals with the required skills and knowledge in the use of this equipment to ensure safe operation and effective threat identification at security points.

 

A single unit Skill Set, developed by the Aviation IRC, supports use across multiple sectors – passenger and property screening at airports, cargo screening for aviation and maritime and possible future use in Transport and Logistics for postal service if technology becomes readily available in that sector.

 

The training addresses the skills and knowledge required to screen articles by interpreting 3D CT X-ray images at a transport security protection workplace in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and national operating standards. It includes setting up, testing and operating screening equipment; interpreting images; identifying threats and taking appropriate action if detected.

 

Although the technology has not yet been fully rolled out nationally, speed to market for the updated training is critical as current training against the manufacturer’s guidelines doesn’t sufficiently address the complexity of threat identification required by security screeners to support air and maritime operations.

 

A priority for the Aviation IRC is working with the aviation industry to provide Training Package components to support the sector to upskill and reskill the workforce when restrictions are lifted.

 

Further information about the training package please visit the project page.