AIS Newsletter October 2022
In this month’s newsletter we focus on endorsements by Skills Ministers of new Training Package releases, the Hydrogen Skills Roadmap, and award winners from the industries we support at State and Territory Training Awards.
Training Package Updates
NEW TRAINING PACKAGE RELEASES ENDORSED
New releases of the Aviation, Defence, Electrotechnology, ESI transmission, Distribution and Rail, Public Safety, and Transport and Logistics Training Packages have been endorsed by Skills Ministers.
The Industry Reference Committees responsible for these Training Packages, with support from their Technical Advisory Committees, developed the materials contained in these releases through the projects below to address priority skills needs and current industry practices:
Aviation – AVI 10.0
Air Traffic Control: The Diploma of Aviation (Air Traffic Control) and nine associated Units of Competency have been updated to address changes in technology, and national standards associated with the role of an air traffic controller.
Chief Remote Pilot: A new Diploma of Aviation Chief Remote Pilot (CRP) and four new Units of Competency have been developed to address processes and procedures in the drone industry. These occupational skills standards will enable safety improvements, support regulatory and procedural leadership, and the mobility of workers in this expanding industry.
Aviation Supervision: Two new qualification streams have been developed in the Certificate IV in Aviation (Supervision) for Security Screening and Flight Operations. The new specialisation streams will address the need for skilled staff as the aviation industry surges post COVID. As aviation personnel, and in particular security screening staff, return to aviation operations, there is critical need for team leaders and supervisors. This also applies to the flight operations supervision where an industry endorsed, and nationally recognised qualification will support the development of aviation leaders across the industry.
Commercial Pilot Helicopter: The Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter) and 10 Units of Competency have been revised to ensure consistency with current helicopter operations and procedures and to align the qualification with the CASA helicopter licence.
Defence – DEF 5.0
DEF Digital Forensics: Updates to the Certificate IV and Diploma in Digital Forensics and 10 Units of Competency, will enable Defence personnel who engage in digital forensics to keep pace with changing technology and software packages used in their field.
DEF Paralegal Services: The Certificate IV and Diploma in Paralegal Services, including 14 Units of Competency, have been revised to enable Defence paralegal staff to meet the demands of current legal requirements and technological advancements.
DEF Range Control Officer: The Diploma of Range Control and Management, six Units of Competency and one Skill Set have been updated to address recent changes to the provision of base services relating to management of Training Areas and Ranges.
DEF Moral Injury: Three new Units of Competency and a new Skill Set support the skills and knowledge development of Defence Chaplains to help Defence members with moral injury, including the support of their families.
DEF Test and Evaluation: Updates to the Certificate IV and Diploma in Test and Evaluation and seven associated Units of Competency are aimed at enabling Defence personnel who engage in test and evaluation to keep pace with changing technology and processes.
DEF Work Diving: updates to 16 Units of Competency address current diving practices and skills requirements. The changes are aligned with the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS).
Electrotechnology – UEE 4.0
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology: The qualification has been updated and five new Units of Competency have been developed to better reflect the intent of the qualification and address higher-level theoretical concepts more appropriate for the vocational destinations of graduates.
Assess and Report on Smoke Control Features: One Unit of Competency and one Skill Set have been updated to address the skill and knowledge requirements for Technicians to assess and report on equipment in accordance with Essential Services Fire Measures legislation.
Electricity Meters: One Unit of Competency and one Skill Set have been updated to reflect current industry work practices, legislative and safety requirements for the installation of advanced digital meters, and the replacement of older-style basic or accumulation meters.
The training products cover the skills and knowledge required to install, configure, and commission whole current electricity meters.
Hazardous Areas: Two qualifications and 13 Units of Competency have been updated, and 11 new Units developed for working with Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas (EEHA).
The training products adopt the requirements of AS/NZS4761.1:2018 which cover the skill and knowledge requirements for competent persons to undertake design, installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of equipment for hazardous areas.
ESI transmission, Distribution and Rail – UET 4.0
Power and Network Systems: Two new Units of Competency have been developed and three existing qualifications and 68 units updated to reflect contemporary industry practices and enable workforce development to support the evolving energy networks within Australia.
The materials address the skills and knowledge required to safely maintain energised rail traction networks, and the design and interface of distributed energy resources within electricity networks.
Refresher Skills: Two new Units of Competency have been developed and 11 Units of Competency updated to incorporate current industry practices and rescue requirements. These have been packaged within UET30621 Certificate III in ESI – Distribution Overhead as an elective group.
These Mobility and Portability units have been revised and developed to enable workforce development and assist workers in the ESI TDR industry to respond to natural disasters in supplying mutual aid and enable mobility and portability of skills when working in different jurisdictions. These units will provide workers with a standard for rescue and safety requirements when accessing different networks.
Public Safety – PUA 5.0
National Recovery Training Program (Stage 2): A new Qualification, nine new Skill Sets, and four new Units of Competency have been developed to enable skills development aimed at helping build Australia’s disaster resilience.
The new materials address the skills and knowledge required by personnel in disaster recovery leadership and management roles. This includes the management of recovery activities and long-term recovery planning for a disaster event.
Phase one of the program involved the development of a new Skill Set and three new Units of Competency addressing the skills required to support a recovery team member to work effectively in a disaster recovery context, and how to provide relief and recovery support to disaster-affected communities. These materials are also available on the national training register.
Transport and Logistics – TLI 13.0
Mobile Crane Operations: The Certificate III and Certificate IV in Mobile Crane Operations and associated Units of Competency have been revised, and imported units updated, to address changes in technology, transport related activity risk factors and regulations associated with the role of a mobile crane operator. Given the growing use of mobile cranes and the variety of usage in heavily populated areas, safety of the operators and the public is critical.
Driving Instruction: A Certificate IV in Motor Vehicle Driver Training has been developed, amalgamating Certificate IV qualifications in Transport and Logistics, Road Transport – Car Driving Instruction; Heavy Vehicle Driving Instruction; and Motorcycle Riding Instruction. The qualification now includes these specialised streams. to facilitate a more aligned pathway for driver trainers and enable mobility of vehicle instructors across multiple driver training sectors.
The Units of Competency have been strengthened to ensure a higher level of driving instruction skills and knowledge requirements.
Rail Safety Management: Updates to two Certificate IV qualifications and 15 associated Units of Competency address changes in technology, rail network standards and safety regulations. The materials cover technical and behavioural capabilities for the management of rail safety. This includes prevention and risk management mitigation capabilities, quality incident management and incident investigation skills. This will enable workforce development to help ensure our networks remain safe for traditional rail traffic, autonomous rail, and the community.
Uploads of endorsed materials to training.gov.au are currently being undertaken.
CURRENT TRAINING PACKAGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
At its meeting on Wednesday 12 October, the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) considered Cases for Endorsement for all current Training Package development projects. An AISC communique detailing outcomes of its deliberations will be released shortly.
Please visit the Projects page for information about these projects
The Roadmap to Building Hydrogen Skills for the Gas Industry Workforce
The Gas Industry Reference Committee’s work to enable hydrogen skills development has been validated with the release of the Hydrogen Skills Roadmap by Swinburne University of Technology’s Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2).
The Hydrogen Skills Road map is the most comprehensive piece of work of its kind to date. Developed in collaboration with over 37 industry representatives, VH2’s Hydrogen Skills Roadmap identifies the jobs impacted and the skills required for the burgeoning hydrogen sector, which will be critical to achieving Australia’s carbon emission reduction targets. It also collates existing education and training in Australia and overseas.
To ensure that Victoria and the rest of Australia remains engaged in the growing hydrogen economy, the report urgently recommends training must be developed in all sectors, including the establishment of a Hydrogen Skills Centre to leverage research and grow skills and knowledge.
Director of Swinburne’s VH2, Gordon Chakoadza, said “Hydrogen gas is not new but the way we intend to use it will be. The first educational priority is raising awareness of hydrogen – its nature and its applications. Hydrogen will impact a range of jobs across the supply chain.”
The report’s findings validate the Gas IRC’s approach to the review of the Gas Training Package and the development of skills standards to include knowledge of hydrogen applications. This and the streamlining of qualifications within the Training Package will assist with both the rapid upskilling of existing Gas workers and the ability to bring new workers into gas roles across the hydrogen supply chain.
As noted in VH2’s Hydrogen Skills Roadmap, the road transport sector will be an early adopter of hydrogen as an alternate fuel source as it already offers genuine cost savings to transport and logistics companies.
Major initiatives being undertaken by both State and Federal Government’s such as the Hume Hydrogen Highways Project are scheduled to be in operation by 2024/5 and will enable freight companies using Australia’s busiest freight routes to confidently transition their fleets to hydrogen fuel.
The leadership shown by the Gas IRC to get on with the jobs of modernising the Gas Training Package for the hydrogen economy means that access to skills will be an enabler rather than a barrier to this essential transition.
The Gas Training Package has been updated to include one new Unit of Competency (Control industrial Gas storage/processing operations), four revised Qualifications, and 59 revised Units to meet the contemporary needs of the gas supply industry.
Occupational skills standards in the Training Package have been updated to provide the requirement of knowledge evidence for a complete range of industrial or combustible gases. This will ensure that gas supply industry workers are properly skilled across the expanding range of gases that are being introduced, such as hydrogen and blended varieties of gas. It enables workers to build on their existing skills without the need for hydrogen specific Units of Competency.
The Gas IRC has submitted the Case for Endorsement and draft Training Package materials for the Gas Supply Industry Skills project to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee for their consideration.
State Training Awards Winners from AIS Industries
Outstanding achievement in the vocational education and training sector has been recognised at State and Territory training awards held around the country, with a number of winners coming from the industries that AIS supports.
Congratulations to all award recipients and finalists. The winners in aligned categories will compete for national honours at the Australian Training Awards to be held in Adelaide on 18 November.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Apprentice of the Year – Mark Reynolds (Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician)
Mark’s journey from finishing school to starting his electrical apprenticeship took him around the world and through a variety of professions over the course of 17 years. When he began his electrical apprenticeship, Mark was a mature-age student working towards his second trade.
He is currently employed at Rawsons Electrical where he completed his apprenticeship through TAFE SA. Mark also completed several leadership programs.
His future as an electrician could take him down any number of paths, which both inspires and excites him. “I could see myself managing a division within Rawsons, working interstate, or even running my own business and taking on my own apprentices.”
Vocational Student of the Year – Madison Taylor (Certificate II in Electrotechnology)
Maddy is a rural student completing her Year 12 studies at Burra Community School.
“I was interested in becoming an electrician, so the school contacted PEER and they agreed to teach the trade at our school within our workshop each week.”
“My VET coordinator first inspired me as he said that this would encourage the community to break the stigma around women working in the trade industry.”
Maddy’s future aspirations consist of completing her Year 12 studies and obtaining an apprenticeship.
“I’ve had offers from companies who are willing to take on a female apprentice with my current certificate. would like to have the opportunity to start up my own electrical business in Burra, as people could then have constant access to a local electrician.”
Large Employer of the Year – South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES)
The award reflects the SASES’ capacity to provide skilled personnel to respond to emergency requests for assistance in support of South Australian communities.
Chris Beattie, Chief Officer of the SASES said the award was recognition of the tremendous efforts, professionalism, and commitment to excellence by SASES personnel.
“The SASES invests a significant amount of time and resources developing and delivering training for staff and volunteers. Accredited and non-accredited training is part of our core business and underpins all operational capabilities across the service.
“This award is a fitting recognition for the staff and volunteers within the service’s training team and their commitment to innovation, quality, industry engagement and continuous improvement. Congratulations to all involved.’’
Currently, a total of 34 different training pathways are offered to volunteers, encompassing operations, incident management and leadership areas.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Apprentice of the Year – Mary Coulter (Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician and Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control)
Mary completed her dual trade qualifications at CDU and currently works as an electrical and instrumentation technician.
“Completing my qualifications at CDU has helped to open up so many doors for my future” Ms Coulter said.
“The award is a nice recognition of the hard work I have put into my study and apprenticeship and puts me in a position to help promote VET pathways and apprenticeships as well as encourage more women into the trades.”
Industry Collaboration of the Year Award – Territory Generation, CDU and Gastrain for the GAS Type B project.
The collaboration implemented a long-term, sustainable, local solution to train staff and future employees by providing the facilities, equipment, training and resources to deliver Gas Type B training in the Territory.
More than 25 Territory Generation staff have so far completed their national licensing requirements under this program, with another 13 enrolled. In future, this training pathway will be opened to the public to benefit Territorians and the local economy.
NEW SOUTH WALES
Women in Trades Award – Lucinda Shilcock
Now a qualified electrician with Novaskill, Lucinda completed the Certificate III in Electrotechnology – Electrician through TAFE NSW.
Growing up on a farm, her desire to become an Electrician evolved naturally from a love of working with her hands, a penchant for design and an affinity for teamwork.
Lucinda is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal students and an inspiration to all young women considering a career as a tradesperson.
QUEENSLAND
Apprentice of the Year – Jennah Halley (Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration)
Refrigeration technician Jennah Halley is making her mark in a male-dominated industry.
A proud Aboriginal woman from Innisfail, she admits she accidentally fell in love with her trade. What began by helping her refrigeration technician brother soon turned into an apprenticeship and a fulfilling career.
The mother-of-four said beginning an apprenticeship in her 30s was a learning curve. “Coming back to school was harder for me. I hadn’t been at school for about 20 years, so it was a little bit different. But the TAFE Queensland teachers just walked me through and tailored my study to the way I needed to learn.”
Jennah, who works at Messina Air Conditioning, is a passionate advocate for women in trades and she wants to break down stereotypes, she hopes more women feel empowered to become apprentices and pursue their training and career goals.
Watch Jennah’s story https://tafeqld.edu.au/news-and-events/news/2021/refreshing-new-career
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Trainee of the Year – Brittany-Leigh Wragg
Being one of the first students to study a Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways Program, Brittany cites the unwavering support from the team at South Metropolitan TAFE and Programmed Training Services that helped her feel confident about her chosen career pathway in a male-dominated industry.
Brittany-Leigh sampled different job roles while undertaking work placement rotations and gained real-life experience, all while building up a network of industry contacts. She hopes to begin an apprenticeship in defence on completion of her traineeship.
Industry Collaboration Award – Making Tracks (Department of Justice)
Making Tracks is a collaborative industry training and employment network of partnerships for prisoners across WA to ensure VET delivery within prisons is relevant and appropriate to the needs of both the prisoners engaged in training and the businesses that go on to employ them.
Through collaboration with employers in key industries, the program reduces the stigma ex-prisoners face when seeking employment, while meeting the needs of the labour market, contributing to the economy and reducing reoffending.
Prisoners are offered a wide range of traineeships and apprenticeships within WA prisons, in areas such as kitchens, textiles, laundry, gardens, cleaning and maintenance.
Small Employer of the Year – Matera Electrical
Starting with just four staff, Matera Electrical has grown to over 90 employees, aiming for excellence in safety standards and high-quality work within the construction and oil and gas industries. The company is committed to a team-focused approach, with about 80 per cent of employees actively engaged in training.
What's Happening!
Velg National VET Conference
The 2022 National VET Conference will be delivered over two days on the 3rd and 4th of November 2022 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. It will include an exciting range of presentations, providing attendees with the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of plenary and elective sessions. This is VELG’s 15th annual National VET Conference and promises to provide both a fantastic opportunity for delegates to undertake professional development that is meaningful to them, to meet with product and service providers, and network with peers from across Australia.
For more information, please visit https://www.velgtraining.com/nvc
TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) Conference
The TDA Convention 2022, Courage, Change and Challenge: The Future of TAFE will take place in Adelaide, South Australia from Tuesday 15 – Thursday 17 November 2022. This event will be attended by industry leaders, national and international speakers, TDA members and partners to shape the future of TAFE.
The TDA Convention 2022 will be the first opportunity in three years to bring together all TDA members with their industry partners and key stakeholders.
For more information, please visit https://tda.edu.au/events/tda-convention-2022/
