Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB)
AIS Global is contracted by the NSW Department of Education to administer the NSW Public Sector ITAB whose primary purpose is to engage with industry and training system stakeholders across NSW. The ITAB provides core services in the following key areas:
- Industry labour and skills needs, training priorities and development issues for VET in NSW.
- Training access across regional and remote NSW and barriers to quality delivery.
- Obstacles to industry’s uptake of funded training.
- Advice on apprenticeship and traineeship arrangements in NSW including school-based arrangements.
- Advice on implications for the NSW training system through the development and review of National Training Packages.
- Support and promotion of vocational education and training to school students.
The ITAB supports the Corrections, Local Government, Public Safety, Defence, Police, Public Sector and Water industries.
Delivery of ITAB services and advice is overseen by a tripartite Industry Advisory Committee that includes representatives from peak bodies, employers and employee associations for each of the sectors it covers.
Current News
Register now for our Government, Public Safety & Water Network Forums
Facilitated by the NSW Public Sector ITAB, the Government and Public Safety Network (GTAN) and Water Industry Network (WTAN) meet regularly to share and discuss information impacting skilling and training within the government, public safety, corrections and water industries across metropolitan, regional and rural NSW.
The next network forums will be delivered online on 21 November 2023. These sessions will include guest speakers who will share insights into emerging trends and industry innovations and will provide time to discuss the most recent challenges and opportunities for skills and training in our sectors. The forums will include an update on current VET reforms and the latest on NSW funding initiatives for the various sectors.
Please register now to reserve your place. The program will be made available once finalised.
1.Government and Public Safety Training Network (GTAN)
(Includes all government agencies, Local Councils, Correctional Services, Public Safety, Police & Defence)
Date: 21 November 2023
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am (AEST)
2.Water Industry Training Network (WTAN)
Date: 21 November 2023
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm (AEST)
Governments sign new National Skills Agreement
NSW is to benefit from $3.81 billion investment to expand and transform the VET Sector in a landmark National Skills Agreement (NSA) between the Federal and State governments. This five-year Agreement will take effect from January 2024. It was developed under principles agreed by National Cabinet and will embed national cooperation and strategic investment in the NSW vocational education and training sector.
The NSA provides the funding certainty required to support quality training and implement reforms to address critical skills needs and places TAFE at the heart of the VET sector. It will guarantee additional funding of $1.055 billion to NSW, enabling the state to complete significant reform to the Skills and Training sector.
The investment will also support the Minns Government’s commitments to investing and rebuilding TAFE NSW and the broader skills sector. This funding will support investment in TAFE Centres of Excellence, boosting foundation skills in language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy and Closing the Gap in educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Read the full article on the Department of Education website.
Round Three of ANZSCO consultation – Public Administration occupations
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has started the latest round of consultations as part of its review of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). The review looks at how occupations have evolved, changed, or been replaced over time, how skills requirements have shifted, and emerging fields or unique jobs are changing the workforce profile.
This third round will focus on a range of industries including Accommodation and food services; Agriculture, forestry and fishing; Arts and recreation; Defence; Print and internet publishing; Public administration; Rail, road and water transport; Retail trade; Sports activities; Television, stage and broadcasting; and Warehousing.
The complete list of occupations within these focus areas is available on the ABS website. Information is available on how to prepare a submission, or engage with the ABS Consultation Hub.
A quick overview of Round 3 is available on this short video.
Please consider how current and emerging public sector or defence occupations may not align to ANZSCO and participate in this important consultation opportunity. Contact Lisa Giammarco from the ITAB if you would like to discuss this further.
Free workshops for supervising an apprentice or trainee
Training Services NSW (TSNSW) is responsible for managing apprenticeships and traineeships in New South Wales and provides supervisor training, information about apprenticeships and traineeships, advice regarding the Training Contract and mediation and dispute resolution services.
Throughout the year, TSNSW provides free ‘Supervising Your Apprentice or Trainee’ Workshops for employers and supervisors across a range of locations in NSW. More information on scheduled locations can be found here.
Register for the next available Oct-Nov workshops scheduled for the Mid North Coast and North Coast regions below:
SafeWork NSW hearing test requirements begin 1 Jan 2024
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the biggest cause of permanent hearing loss in Australia but is also preventable. Following public consultation held in late 2022, the NSW Government has approved the commencement of Clause 58 of the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 2017.
From 1 January 2024, employers are required to provide hearing tests for workers who frequently use hearing protection to control noise that exceeds the noise exposure standards. A communication toolkit is available to share information about the changes with your networks. The toolkit contains a range of resources, including:
- newsletter and website content
- social media content
- poster and A4 fact sheet
Find more information on Clause 58 and the new hearing test requirements on SafeWork website, or contact SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50.
Development of Draft Revised Standards for RTOs Paper released
To support quality and integrity in the vocational education and training (VET) system, the Australian Government has made a commitment to revise and strengthen the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015.
The focus of the revised Standards for RTOs is on quality outcomes for learners and employers by providing greater clarity for RTOs and regulators, and allowing for more flexibility and innovation in training delivery. The purpose is clear in designing the Standards to reflect the diversity of the VET sector and to foster a shared understanding of what constitutes high-quality delivery for all users of the VET system.
The draft Revised Standards for RTOs have now been finalised for piloting and further information on this stage of the process can be found on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) Quality Reforms webpage.
The Development of Draft Revised Standards for RTOs Paper has been made available by DEWR and contains the latest draft Standards including refinements made since the version released for public consultation in November 2022. It also incorporates a supporting narrative to explain their development over time.
Fire and Rescue NSW trial use of smart phone technology
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is trialling the innovative use of smartphone technology and partnering with care providers to protect elderly and vulnerable people from house fires.
The initiative relies on Quick Response (QR) codes which users can scan with their phone cameras to access fire safety resources.
These include an electronic form to book safety visits, where local firefighters will attend a person’s home to identify potential fire hazards, develop solutions and offer fire safety advice specific to the resident’s living situation. During these visits, fire crews will also ensure working smoke alarms are present within the homes or, if not, install new or additional smoke alarms at no cost.
FRNSW is rolling out the QR codes through its newly formed network of partners across the aged, disability and home care sectors in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. Participating carers are provided with A4 sheets and stickers containing the QR code, which can be placed inside their diaries and client communications folders. This seeks to embed fire safety in routine discussions carers have with their clients.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, said the ‘out of the box’ initiative has the potential to save lives. “If our firefighters can make fire safety a part of everyday life through these care communities, it will undoubtedly help achieve fewer incidents and better outcomes.”
Read the full article on FRNSW website.
Local youth learn emergency preparedness skills
More than 20 youth from the Southern Illawarra region have completed a 10-week internship program through the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), learning communication skills, basic first aid, leadership and flood and storm response.
Through hands-on lessons and practical demonstrations at the NSW SES Shellharbour Unit outside of school hours, students gained enhanced knowledge of natural disasters and how to prepare for an emergency should they arise.
The Illawarra students join more than 80 other youth from 10 locations across the state who graduated from the program this week.
NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York APM congratulated the graduating students, and said it was inspirational to see young people willing to try something new and find out more about volunteering to support their communities. “Not only have the students shown a commitment to their education and community, they’ve also gained new skills that will put them in good stead for their future – whether that’s joining the SES as a volunteer or going on to university or the workforce” she said.
Read the full article here.
Surf Life Saving Academy to foster athlete development in NSW
Surf Life Saving NSW has announced the establishment of five regional Surf Sport Academies which hopes to support future athlete and coach development in NSW. The Academies will be supported by the NSW Regional Academies of Sport (RASi) network, providing professionalised athlete services and coach development opportunities pertaining to strength and conditioning, sports nutrition, sports psychology, media skills, preparing for performance and injury prevention.
The new Academies will align with SLSNSW’s existing five regionally based locations which hold Super Surf and Surfboat Interseries Competitions in NSW; the Northern Dolphins, Hunter/Central Coast Orcas, SNB Rays, Sydney Sharks and the Southern Penguins. The alignment provides a clear athlete and coach pathway from Club & Branch representation through to Interstate team selection.
SLSNSW Surf Sports Manager, Jim Pinnington said the initiative to provide a structured pathway for emerging athletes was a new one for SLSNSW and would significantly increase its investment in Surf Sport athlete development. “The inception of the Performance Academies will provide unprecedented access and opportunity for aspiring athletes along the entire NSW coastline and prepare youth athletes for the elite demands of our sport” he said.
Read the full article on the Surf Life Saving NSW website.
Professor Peter Dawkins finishes up at Jobs and Skills Australia
The Acting Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), Professor Peter Dawkins, formally completed his tenure at the organisation recently after leading JSA through its establishment phase.
The Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said that under Professor Dawkins’ leadership, JSA has been established as a truly tripartite organisation, embedding stakeholder partnerships into its operations. Three pivotal reports identifying Australia’s current, emerging and future skills needs, and how the national skills system is meeting these needs, have been released as a result of his leadership.
“This will be a lasting legacy for Professor Dawkins, and one that JSA will continue to build upon. I thank Peter for his commitment to getting Jobs and Skills Australia off to a great start, for his advice and leadership during this critical time,” Mr O’Connor said.
A new commissioner for JSA will be announced soon, following the conclusion of a selection process that is currently underway. In the meantime, David Turvey, First Assistant Secretary of JSA, will be appointed as Acting Commissioner.
Towards a National Jobs and Skills Roadmap
Three pivotal reports identifying Australia’s current, emerging and future skills needs, and how the national skills system is meeting these needs, have been released by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA).
JSA’s first capacity study – The Clean Energy Generation: workforce needs for a net zero economy, has been released and provides important analysis to support Australia’s transformation to net zero.
The latest Skills Priority List shows that 36% of the occupations assessed are in shortage, with Technicians and Trade Workers, and Professional occupations (health, engineering, information communication technology (ICT) and science roles) having the highest shortages, particularly in regional and remote areas.
Bringing it all together, the Jobs and Skills Report, Towards a national jobs and skills roadmap provides an initial assessment of current and future skills needs and opportunities for the national skills system.
The former Acting Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia, Professor Peter Dawkins AO said these three reports were priorities for JSA in its inaugural year to help realise the full skills potential of Australia, resulting in improved workforce participation, productivity, wages and equity.
All reports can be found at jobsandskills.gov.au
New targets for apprentices on major construction projects
Under the draft Guidelines for the Australian Skills Guarantee (released last week), any enterprise involved in major government funded construction projects will need to have at least 12% of women apprentices by 2030, and higher targets on flagship projects.
The Australian Skills Guarantee Working Draft sets a national target for one-in-ten workers on major government projects to be an apprentice or ICT cadet, commencing next July.
The target for women apprentices will commence at 6% next July, rising to 12% by 2030. For flagship projects, there will be even higher targets. “This may help work towards a critical mass of women on site to help shift cultures on individual projects, and act as exemplars across the sector,” the paper says.
All the targets will be calculated using labour hours (including time spent on off-site training), not headcount.
To provide feedback on the Skills Guarantee Guidelines visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.
ASQA’s VET tip-off line now live
In early October the Government confirmed its investment in ASQA and its role in strengthening integrity in the VET sector. An aspect of this commitment is the establishment of a new integrity unit within ASQA and a VET tip-off line to prevent and disrupt illegal behaviour and the exploitation of vulnerable students.
The tip-off line is now live and provides a safe and confidential avenue for current and former students, staff and other potential whistleblowers (such as homestay hosts and employers of international students) to report alleged illegal and serious non-compliance activity.
The tip-off line will contribute to ASQA’s broader targeted compliance remit, which is primarily focused on assessing high-risk VET providers.
Anyone can make an anonymous report to the referral line (1300 644 844) and VET tip-off form on ASQA’s website.
Training Package Activity in Public Sector Industries
PSP Public Sector Training Package
- Translating and Interpreting
View the PSP Training Package.
This material was endorsed by Skills Ministers and is now published on training.gov.au.
LGA Local Government Training Package
No current activity.
View the LGA Training Package.
Training Package materials developed through the following projects have been endorsed by Skills Ministers and are now published on training.gov.au
PUA Public Safety Training Package
- National Recovery Training Program
View the National Recovery Training Program project page.
- Emergency Care
View the Emergency Care project page.
- Emergency Management
View the Emergency Management project page.
- Fire
View the Fire project page.
DEF Defence Training Package
- Electronic Forensics
- Moral Injury
- Paralegal Services
- Range Control Officer
- Test and Evaluations
- Work Diving
View the Public Safety Training Package projects page.
CSC Correctional Services Training Package
- Correctional Practice
View the Correctional Practice project page.
NWP National Water Training Package
- Flood Site Operations
- Water Network Maintenance
View the Water project page.
Correctional services agencies operate or contract with private operators, prison facilities, and in some states and territories periodic detention centres, and are also responsible for managing offenders on community corrections’ orders.
Australia’s Public Safety Industry is comprised of police services, fire and rescue services, emergency management agencies, the Australian Defence Force, intelligence organisations and associated administrative and support functions.
Public sector employees play an important role in the development, review and implementation of government policies, and they provide an array of services for the community. The public sector comprises of federal, state and territory governments, statutory bodies and state-owned corporations.
The Water industry includes water supply, sewerage, drainage services and pipeline transport (water). Occupations involved in these sectors cross a wide spectrum of activities.
