AIS Newsletter February 2022
CEO Update
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2022. I hope you had an opportunity to refresh after all the challenges we faced last year.
This year will certainly be a big one for us! The reform of the Industry Engagement Arrangements, as announced by Federal Government in October last year, will see the establishment of Industry Clusters to give industry a stronger, more strategic voice and broader role in Australia’s VET system. Industry Clusters will replace the current model of 67 Industry Reference Committees and six Skills Service Organisations.
AIS has been encouraged by industry stakeholders to support industry in the development of a proposal for the Retail, Transport and Logistics (including Aviation, Rail and Maritime) and Wholesale Industry Cluster. Industries in this cluster are critical to the strength and resilience of Australia’s supply chains and represent where we hold deep knowledge and expertise. Should you want more information or would like to support our submission with a letter of support, please contact us.
Transition to these new arrangements is expected to take place mid-late 2022 and I would like to assure our industry and VET system stakeholders that AIS will work diligently to ensure the process is as seamless as possible.
As I pen this first newsletter, we continue to see reports about the crippling effect of COVID-19 on our supply chains. With about 90% of the world’s goods transported by ships, the global shortage of shipping containers is delaying freight and ramping up prices of goods. A computer chip shortage has had a knock-on effect across many industries. International and domestic supply chains have been brought undone by a virus less than 0.1 microns in size.
Building the resilience and agility of Australia’s supply chains is key to withstanding future global and domestic shocks. A large part of that agility will come from building the skills of the supply chain workforce and I’m proud to say that our recent work with industry leaders from right across Australian industry has resulted in a suite of cutting-edge, 10 cross-sector Skill Sets that are now available for anyone working in supply chains. Traceability, building the circular economy, digitalisation of supply chains, value chain analysis and blockchain in supply chains are just some of the many skills covered.
Aside from the fact that supply chain careers now bring unprecedented opportunity to work internationally and move between industries, they also give us the chance to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our world today, be it sustainability, modern slavery or preparedness for natural disasters. I’d encourage all training providers to take a look at these Skill Sets and consider being part of building the resilience and agility of Australia’s supply chain workforce.
In 2022, we will continue our unwavering support to industry in the development of vocational skills. Many Training Package development projects are currently underway to keep nationally recognised qualifications contemporary and future focused, providing skilling opportunities to individuals and supporting industry growth and productivity.
In this first newsletter of 2022, read about the Wayfinder Initiative, a new program aiming to address a workplace gender gap in the supply chain and logistics industry; the latest on the High-Risk Work License webinar we will be hosting later this month; and our participation in the MCG Stomp.
I would like to thank everyone who participated in our Industry Skills survey. The overwhelming response will help us in the development of the 2022 Industry Outlooks which will provide information about the key issues and trends affecting your industries and new or emerging technologies and skills needs.
Finally, I would like to also thank all our IRCs and our industry stakeholders for your continued and staunch support.
Here’s wishing everyone a 2022 filled with purpose and new opportunities.
Paul Walsh
CEO

Webinar for RTOs and Assessors delivering Crane HRWL Units of Competency
Skills ministers recently endorsed changes to Crane High Risk Work (HRW) Units of Competency. These units were aligned with Schedules 3 and 4 of the Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011.
This webinar will provide more information about these changes and answer any questions you may have.
The panel will include representatives of Safework Australia, Safework NSW, ASQA and the WATAC.
Discussion will be around the nine recently updated Crane units:
- TLILIC0016 Licence to operate a bridge and gantry crane
- TLILIC0017 Licence to operate a derrick crane
- TLILIC0018 Licence to operate a non-slewing mobile crane (greater than 3 tonnes capacity)
- TLILIC0019 Licence to operate a portal boom crane
- TLILIC0020 Licence to operate a slewing mobile crane (over 100 tonnes)
- TLILIC0021 Licence to operate a slewing mobile crane (up to 100 tonnes)
- TLILIC0022 Licence to operate a slewing mobile crane (up to 20 tonnes)
- TLILIC0023 Licence to operate a slewing mobile crane (up to 60 tonnes)
- TLILIC0024 Licence to operate a vehicle loading crane (capacity 10 metre tonnes and above)
The endorsed Training Package materials are now available on training.gov.au.
Registrations close 12:00pm (AEDT) Wednesday, 23 February 2022.

Training Package Development Projects
The following projects were approved for commencement by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee at its meeting on 1 December:
Electric Heavy Vehicle Project
This project will develop two new Units of Competency (Operate Electric Heavy Vehicle and Operate Electric Bus) and new Skill Sets to provide workers the required skills and knowledge for working with and operating an electric bus or heavy vehicle efficiently and safely.
Vessel Traffic Services
New training products will be developed for Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) in response to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Marine Orders and Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) licensing and regulatory requirements. The development will include one new qualification, eight new Units of Competency and three new Skill Sets, for VTS Operator and VTS Supervisor job roles.
Commercial Pilot Helicopter
This project will review and update the Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter) and 10 Units of Competency to address current helicopter operations and procedures and to align the qualification with the CASA helicopter licence.
Police Surveillance
The Advanced Diploma of Surveillance and eight Units of Competency (UoC) in the Police Training Package will be reviewed to address changes in technology, police surveillance practices and procedures. Consultation with police subject matter experts will be coordinated through Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency (ANZPAA).
Moral Injury
This project will develop a new Skill Set and three new Units of Competency in the Defence Training Package. Moral injury capability is being introduced into Defence Chaplaincy to assist Defence members and their families after withdrawal from conflict deployment. There is growing attention to understanding trauma suffered by Defence personnel arising from moral injury.
TRAINING PACKAGE PROJECTS SUBMITTED FOR ENDORSEMENT
ESI GENERATION
The ESI Generation Industry Reference Committee has submitted the Case for Endorsement and draft Training Package materials for the Remote Area Essential Service, Operations Personnel and Wind Power Generation projects to the AISC for consideration. The proposed materials include updates to nine qualifications, four Skill Sets and 159 Units of Competency.
AVIATION
The Aviation Industry Reference Committee has submitted draft Training Package materials for the Commercial Pilot Regulatory Update project to the AISC for approval. The 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’.
Transition period extended for TLI32515 – Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure
ASQA has recently approved an extended transition period for TLI32515 – Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure. The extended training, assessment and certification issuance period for this qualification ends on 30 June 2022.

Bringing diversity to the supply chain and logistics industry
Australia’s multi-billion-dollar supply chain industry must close its gender gap and attract fresh talent if it wants to grow to meet an increasingly automated future.
Established by Deakin’s Centre for Supply Chain and Logistics in partnership with industry in 2018, Wayfinder: Supply Chain Careers for Women responds to the business imperatives of a diverse workforce and the difficulties of attracting millennials, particularly women, to a poorly understood sector. Wayfinder programs are informed by industry-driven research and focus on capability gaps.
Wayfinder’s National Supply Chain Education Network (26 member institutions) brings educators and industry together to better align education offerings with industry needs, and to consider workforce capability gaps, and the new skills required as new technologies emerge. It provides a springboard to streamline opportunities for internships and industry-based project work and graduate employment.
Its Ambassador program trains the female leaders of tomorrow to speak at school and community events, supporting their retention through professional development programs. The interactive Wayfinder Digital Career Map can be accessed on the Government Jobs Hub and showcases over 150 Supply Chain Logistics roles in 18 sectors. The career map’s focus on transferrable skills means it can also be used by companies to retrain current staff. As highlighted by the challenges due to the pandemic, every industry in Australia depends on supply chains. This critical sector accounts for 8.6% of Australia’s GDP, 1.2 million jobs and a $130 billion annual injection to the economy.
COVID may have reminded industry of the importance of supply chain, but Wayfinder is highlighting its potential as a future-proof and dynamic career opportunity for women.
The supply chain and logistics sector is facing multiple challenges – from climate change, escalating trade wars and digital disruption – and fast-evolving business models are demanding new skills. COVID-19 created the perfect storm, revealing Australia’s vulnerability to global disruption. Companies face a critical supply-and-demand imbalance, not just for products, or transportation but for people, as companies recognise how critical supply chains are for business success.
Despite digital change, supply chain is fundamentally a people business, it is about relationships. There are clear gaps in many of the soft skills critical to the industry – problem solving, critical analysis, creativity, ability to collaborate and communication skills. These are skills women are often particularly good at.
“Even before the pandemic, supply chain business models were being transformed by globalisation, technological change and an increased focus on ethical supply chains and environmental sustainability, and it’s driving a world-wide talent shortage. But despite its higher profile thanks to COVID-19, supply chain is still poorly understood, and seen by many as an unappealing second tier career option,” said Wayfinder Co-Chair, Dr Hermione Parsons.
Wayfinder works to increase understanding of careers in the supply chain sector, to develop a sustainable and diverse pipeline which will meet the challenges of a fast-changing world. A career in supply chain and logistics ticks all the boxes for those who want to make a difference in the world and are looking for a dynamic career with a clear future.
For more information, click here to find out more: Wayfinder

Thank you for participating in our Industry Skills survey
A big thank you to all of you that participated in our recent Industry Skills survey. Close to 500 respondents took part in the survey which invited responses from industry about key issues affecting skills and workforce development.
Your valuable input will assist the development of the 2022 Industry Outlooks.
The skills surveys aim is to build a whole-of-industry picture and will be used to assist in identifying new or emerging skills needs and help inform training package development.
If you have further enquiries, please contact AIS at: [email protected]
or by calling (03) 9604 7200.

Heavy Vehicle Driver Apprenticeship
The Transport and Logistics Industry Reference Committee (IRC) recently recommended establishing a heavy vehicle driver apprenticeship. This initiative has been strongly supported by the transport industry nationwide with many convinced it will play a vital role in attracting new entrants and demonstrate the professionalism of the heavy vehicle driver workforce.
Discussions are now underway with State Training Authorities and relevant industry bodies to establish an apprenticeship aligned to the newly endorsed Certificate III in Driving Operations (TLI31221), which will provide the rigour and depth of skills and knowledge required for heavy vehicle drivers.
The road transport industry plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe, productive, and environmentally sound movement of goods and services throughout Australia. A common misconception is that heavy vehicle operators simply ‘drive a truck’ where in reality, they are a profession that is integral to the achievement of the Transport Industry’s broader environmental, economic and social (i.e., safety) obligations to the Australian community.
In the wake of the COVID experience that has shone a light on the critical role played by road transport in the supply chain and in supporting the Australian economy, the IRC believes now is the time to work with the states and territories to establish a Heavy Vehicle Driving Apprenticeship. Such a move is a necessary first step towards raising the profile of the Australian road transport driver workforce in line with the significance and standing of the industry within the overall national economy.
The IRC acknowledges that establishing an apprenticeship will not solve all the current workforce challenges facing the road transport industry, however, it represents one strategy towards achieving a diverse and professional workforce. To find out more about the Heavy Vehicle Driving Apprenticeship, please click here to view all our content including the first of a series of four videos featuring Mark McKenzie and Klausch Schmidt.

Stomping for a good cause
The MCG was built in 1853 and today boasts a seating capacity of just over 100,000 making it Australia’s largest sporting stadium. It has held a range of spectacular events in its history including cricket test matches, AFL grand finals, the 1956 Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games, World Cup soccer, Rugby and blockbuster concerts featuring the world’s biggest musical acts. It has been a place of memories for all who go there and a place where sporting dreams are realised.
On February 13, 2022 it hosted the MCG Stadium Stomp where runners, or ‘stompers’, made their way up, down and around the MCG bays. This epic 7,300 stair challenge was first held in June 2013 and was a huge success. As Australia’s largest consecutive stair climbing challenge, the course takes you around the lower and upper levels of the MCG, before doing a half lap of the boundary to finish!
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) fielded a team for the first time called ‘Australian Industry Stompers’ and conquered the great stadium in this event. It was exciting for the team to rise to this challenge and share in the experience as part of a community event.
AIS fundraised to support The Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) which is the Victorian charity partner for this event; they promote and address the incidences and impacts of mental health injury for the 125,000 volunteers and staff who serve the community. It provides a dedicated approach to improving the health and wellbeing of emergency services workers across Victoria.
AIS joined hundreds of stompers at the MCG and put its best foot forward with this event to raise funds to support this worthy cause.
