Staying Connected in VET eZine | November 2019 | Volume 14 by Velg Training

Australia’s biannual VET eZine

NOVEMBER 2019

Volume 14 | Free

VET STAYING CONNECTED IN

AUSkey is Changing – USI Welcomes Digital Identity NCVER Has a New VET Practitioner Resource Excellence in VET: 2019 Australian Training Awards

EDUCATE INSPIRE EMPOWER

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CONTENTS Staying Connected in VET November 2019 Volume 14

INSPIRE EDUCATE

OFFICE OF THE STUDENT IDENTIFIERS REGISTRAR AUSkey is Changing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; USI Welcomes Digital Identity

ROSE-ANNE POLVERE, NCVER Supporting RTOs With a New VET Practitioner Resource

WORLDSKILLS AUSTRALIA 2019 Skillaroos Have Wowed International Crowds in Kazan, Russia

The Future of Work: Evolution or Revolution?

Scott Cam Named National Careers Ambassador

BRETT HALL

MS SAXON RICE, ASQA

NATIONAL CAREERS INSTITUTE

Ensuring a Strong and Productive Relationship With the Australian VET Sector ODIN LOWSLEY VET Has Transformed My Life

EMPOWER

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, SKILLS, SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESS

2019 Australian Training Awards

MICHELLE CHARLTON 2019 National VET Conference

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, SKILLS, SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESS

Australian VET Alumni Program velgtraining.com

Staying Connected in VET

WELCOME

LETTER FROM THE CEO Michelle Weaver

Welcome to the 14th Edition of the Staying Connected in VET eZine. As we near the end of 2019, the excitement and anticipation for 2020 – a new decade – has the Velg Training team preparing, innovating and revolutionising. Our team is looking toward 2020 with ideas and offerings that will continue to Educate, Inspire and Empower the VET sector. As we take some time to reflect on another very active year in VET, I hope that you too can feel a little motivated and inspired for the New Year by this Edition. Whether you are enlightened by Brett Hall’s insights into The Future of Work, or enthused by Odin Lowsley’s dedication and passion as Vocational Student of the Year, or just simply blown away by the awe-inspiring stories of the Australian Training Awards’ Winners – our goal is to connect you with the stories that matter to you. The 13th annual National VET Conference was held in September at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and sessions were focused on perpetuating the theme: Innovate Activate Educate. Streams of learning offered sessions from a range of high caliber presenters and we thank them for their invaluable contribution in sharing their expertise. We also thank our supportive sponsors for providing a range of

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opportunities for delegates to be exposed to quality products and services designed to assist. Planning for the 2020 National VET Conference is already underway with the theme: Vision for the Future. An exciting development for our Call for Presenters is in the works which will inform our program due for release early next year. The #2020NVC will take place on 17 – 18 September 2020 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and we look forward to welcoming you to our home state of Queensland. 2019 also saw our third successful VET CEO Conference take place on a bright and surprisingly warm Friday 17th May in Sydney. Themed to encourage and motivate CEOs and key decision makers of RTOs to grow their knowledge, network and business, specialist presenters delivered inspiring sessions at this unique event and feedback once again indicated this was a highly valued. In 2020, our VET CEO Conference is gearing up to Take Charge on Friday 15th May at QT Gold Coast. We were also extremely proud to host our annual Queensland Schools VET Conference tailored specifically for Queensland schools. This conference provided an opportunity to gain valuable updates, insights and practical strategies

November 2019 Volume 14 to inform a QLD School’s alternative educational pathways offerings and the implementation methods needed to continue to build options for young learners. The keynote speaker was a remarkable young man called Saxon Phipps, who introduced us all to his brainchild – Year 13. This is a program designed to assist school-leavers to see with clarity that their future does not HAVE to include University. There are many pathways to a fulfilled life that may not require enrollment in a traditional University. Focus Weeks have proven to be an extremely successful initiative once again! Focus Weeks provide a dedicated week of learning opportunities specifically designed to increase knowledge and skills of VET practitioners in targeted topics. Velg Training has taken the time to focus on Assessment and Administration so far in 2019, where VET experts in their respective fields delivered exceptionally rich and relevant content. Our third Focus Week for 2019 will take place from 2 to 6 December and is covering Foundation Skills; a pivotal topic that enables participation in the workplace, education and the community. Once again National VET PD Week, which is collaboratively hosted in October by Velg Training and the The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), was another highly sought after opportunity. Comprising of the top 5 webinars from each organisation, the agenda of topics were meticulously selected based on current professional development needs and feedback. This collaboration allows for webinars to be delivered at a lower price, regardless of your membership status with either organisation. A very big thank you once again to ITECA for working with us to achieve our goal to build the capability of trainers and assessors in the most affordable and accessible way possible. Speed Training continues to be well-regarded. Just like Speed Dating, Speed Training was based on the idea that focused, short, sharp information sessions facilitated by a range of different experts, can ‘bring you up to speed’ all in one day. Designed to help remind us about the importance of continuing to develop those fundamental skills, our Speed Training events for 2019 honed in on the skills and knowledge that relate directly to RTO Managers and Assessors.

I would like take this opportunity to acknowledge our eZine advertisers and article contributors who are an incredibly valued part of our commitment to providing this publication. Our sincerest gratitude for your support in enabling us to fulfil our ongoing commitment to educate, inspire and empower all those who work in the vocational education and training space. On behalf of Velg Training, I wish you the very best for the remainder of 2019, a happy and safe holiday season, and look forward to connecting with you again in the New Year. Our next Edition of the VET eZine will be in May 2020.

Michelle Weaver CEO and Founder of Velg Training

@velgtraining www.velgtraining.com Velg Training

Did you know? This eZine is sponsored. Velg Training works with advertisers from across the VET industry to publish our biannual eZine! Connect with Velg Training’s database of 35,000+ Members and Followers. Download our 2020 Media Kit or contact: sponsorship@velgtraining.com

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EDUCATE

AUSKEY IS CHANGING – USI WELCOMES DIGITAL IDENTITY Office of the Student Identifiers Registrar The Australian Government has released new Digital Identity services to transform the way Australians interact with government. From March 2020, myGovID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) will replace AUSkey. Digital Identity is a game changer for the Australian economy and for the future delivery of public services, and will reduce the fragmentation people and businesses experience when trying to prove who they are online. If you access the USI Registry via the Organisation Portal or have a Student Management System (SMS), the current AUSkey will not function after the end of March 2020: • Organisation Portal users will need to acquire their own Digital Identity. Business associates of a Registered Training Organisation’s (RTO) ABN must also acquire a Digital Identity and can authorise another person

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with a Digital Identity to connect to the USI Registry Organisation Portal (on behalf of the RTO). This is similar to how a Standard/ Personal AUSkey is set up, however new mechanisms are used and the replacement file is not stored on a computer or USB. A connection can then be made using any device, anywhere, anytime. • Student Management Systems will need a new Machine-to-Machine (M2M) credential to replace a Device AUSkey in order to interact with USI Registry via a SMS. There are a few steps you can take to get yourself ready for the change such as updating and cleaning-up your information in the Australian Business Register (ABR), AUSkey Manager and Access Manager. You can also get ready for the change by obtaining a Digital Identity using the

myGovID app. It’s easy, just download and install the app from the Apple App or Google Play store and set up your myGovID. Last of all, don’t forget to update to Web Service Version 3.0 if your organisation is utilising a SMS. For more information, please visit: usi.gov.au/auskey The Office of the Student Identifiers Registrar manages the USI Registry System which creates and stores USIs. All students undertaking nationally recognised training require a USI to receive their qualification or statement of attainment and can use the system to access an online transcript of their training, since January 2015.

for RTOs

www.cloudassess.com.au

November 2019 Volume 14

THE FUTURE OF WORK: EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION? Brett Hall, Director – Research, Projects and Policy, Jobs Queensland experiencing significant technological change, such as agriculture and manufacturing. Despite this, the impacts of change for individuals and enterprises can be impacted by factors such as age, education level, geographic location and occupation of employment.

In 2013, academics Carl Frey and Michael Osborne startled the world with their prediction that 47 per cent of jobs in the United States were at risk of automation. This fuelled intense speculation, including in Australia, that robots would ‘wipe out’ nearly half of the current workforce in the coming years. It also contributed to an explosion in commentary and debate on this topic. A web search of ‘the future of work’ provides millions of results. The viewpoints vary from very optimistic, ‘technology will solve all our problems’ through to very pessimistic, ‘robots are going to take our jobs’. More recent research has emphasised that a job comprises a series of tasks requiring a range of skills. The emerging consensus is that technological impact is most likely to be at task level and that most jobs will evolve with technology rather than be eliminated altogether. Since mid-2018, Jobs Queensland has been investigating this topic and engaging in conversations with industries, communities, academics as well as government agencies across Queensland and Australia about what the future of work means for employment and skills policy. Our Future of Work Literature Review identifies that technology is not the

only driver of the future of work. Demographic and social factors (such as our ageing population) and legal, institutional and policy influences (including alternative working arrangements such as the ‘gig economy’) will also impact work in the future. None of these drivers are entirely new, but all will change the skills required remain current in a job or transition to a new one. Lifelong learning will be more important than ever as individuals move between work and education at multiple points throughout their working lives. With people working longer, adapting to continuous change, and often having multiple careers, the role of education and training will be key. Rapidly changing skills requirements within enterprises are driving demand for access to just-in-time, modularised education and training, often delivered in the workplace. And for some, the definition of workplace will change. The learning needs of a more age-diverse student cohort will also need to be met.

Work in the future will be underpinned by skills and knowledge, some of which may be different to today. While technical skills will continue to be important, more general capabilities such as collaboration, communication and working with ambiguity will also be critical. No single party can effectively prepare for future work in isolation. Individuals, employers, communities, educators and government must all play a part. Working collectively to embed a lifelong learning mindset and plan for the future can help to ensure that everyone is ready for the opportunities presented by future work. To find out more about our research and our findings visit: jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/futurework Jobs Queensland provides independent advice to the Queensland Government on future skills needs, workforce planning and development, and apprenticeships and traineeships. To find out more about our work and access our suite of research, data and resources, visit www.jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au.

Jobs Queensland’s research indicates that the outlook for future employment is generally strong, despite the changing nature of work. Significant employment growth is projected in many servicebased industries in Queensland in the coming years. Employment growth is also projected in traditional industries

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ENSURING A STRONG AND PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AUSTRALIAN VET SECTOR Ms Saxon Rice, Acting Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, ASQA As Acting Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), I want to ensure that we maintain a strong and productive relationship with the Australian VET sector based on a foundation of communication, transparency and collaboration. Australian vocational education and training has a world-class reputation and comprises more than four million students and around 4000 providers. We see the vast majority of these providers exhibiting quality practices and willingly meeting their regulatory responsibilities. In our role as the national regulator, part of our responsibility is to take strong action against the small number of providers failing to provide quality trainingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;those providers who ultimately risk tarnishing the sector as a whole. As a result of this, we acknowledge that the positive achievements of the sector have not always received the focus that they deserve. In the last financial year, the vast majority of providers have not presented any identified risks requiring

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regulatory scrutiny, or have been found to be compliant when audited. In addition, ASQA has approved more than 93 per cent of applications in this same period. At ASQA, we look forward to taking the next step in our evolution as a national regulator. Over the coming months, we will continue to work with Skills Ministers and Government regarding the mechanisms for ASQAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s implementation of reforms to support an expansion of our scope to adopt a more educative approach to lift quality. Already, we have been working hard in a range of areas, particularly in responding to the findings of the reviews by Professor Valerie Braithwaite and the Hon Steven Joyce. Fundamentally, ASQA shares the same interests and objectives as the VET sector. We want to ensure that quality providers are receiving the support they need and that students are both protected and experiencing positive education outcomes. I am keen to get on with what needs to be done to extend our oversight

of the sector to include new ways of connecting with providers and providing advice that moves beyond the achievement of minimum standards. At the same time, ASQA must stay alert to serious risks facing VET in Australia and take strong action where it is warranted. We will build on our past achievements, work through new challenges and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. I want to ensure that there is confidence in ASQA that our activities are reasonable, transparent and effective. Ms Saxon Rice has extensive experience across the VET and employment services sectors as well as the public policy process. She has held a range of senior government, VET and management positions. Ms Rice commenced as a Commissioner of ASQA on 16 April 2018 and as Acting Chief Commissioner and CEO on 7 October 2019.

Online Events Our online events have been purposefully shaped to educate, inspire and empower you. Velg Training continues to provide quality, flexible and innovative online events that drive strategic thinking, develop relevant and insightful skills, and focus on future-proofing your knowledge. We want to ensure you can access PD that suits you!

Webinars

Velg2Go

Focus Week

National VET PD Week

Speed Training

Exclusive webinar seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Online not your style? Velg Training continues to offer face-to-face events too.

For more information regarding Velg Training Events please contact events@velgtraining.com or visit velgtraining.com/events

Join Velg Training on 15 May 2020 at QT Gold Coast. In 2020, we are going that one step further to ensure our VET Leaders, Key Decision Makers and Managers are focussed on the future.

Staying Connected in VET The Practitioners as researchers page is for those who would like to undertake research, whether to examine an aspect of their own educational practice or to participate in a funded research project. The section on The VET workforce features information about the size and profile, and working life of practitioners, and has a dedicated page on professional development.

INSPIRE

SUPPORTING RTOS WITH A NEW VET PRACTITIONER RESOURCE Rose-Anne Polvere, NCVER The VET Practitioner Resource (the Resource) was launched in July this year at NCVER’s annual No Frills Conference. It is principally designed to support VET practitioners and learning managers in the planning and implementation of their teaching and assessment practice, and in undertaking research. The Resource aims to save valuable time by providing a single access point to a curated collection of resources via the VOCEDplus website – access it from the home page under the Resources menu. This collection draws on the wealth of content in VOCEDplus, NCVER research and statistical products, and external links to present a range of information, both free and for purchase – the Resource signposts information only and is not intended as legal advice or other professional advice.

updating VOCEDplus search strings and links to other relevant resources on the VOCEDplus website.

What’s in it for the busy practitioner? Items collated in the Resource are organised within the two general categories of ‘research’ and ‘focus on practice’. Most items have a brief description along with information about the source and date of publication and a link to the full text online or to purchase from the publisher. There are also lists of topicspecific pre-prepared and auto-

• Curriculum/training content

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How can I find my way around? On the Resource home page, consult the navigation guide to get an overview of the topics within the collection. Hyperlinks then take you to the main sections of the Resource. It has three main sections: (1) Teaching, training and assessment; (2) Practitioners as researchers; and (3) The VET workforce. The inner pages follow a standard design as far as possible, with common navigation aids and organisation of information. Teaching, training and assessment is the largest section and contains six sub-topic pages to make finding information easier:

Can I contribute? The intent of the Resource is to be of practical use to RTOs and others involved in the VET sector. We encourage you to send in suggestions for any resources - free or fee-based - that you found supported your work. Creators and producers of resources are also encouraged to propose additions. Email any feedback and suggestions for content to: voced@ncver.edu.au NCVER is the national professional body responsible for collecting, managing, analysing and communicating research and statistics on the Australian VET sector. RoseAnne provides an information service to NCVER staff and the wider VET community, including the production of VOCEDplus, the international database of tertiary education and training research. VET Practitioner Resource: voced.edu.au/vet-practitioner-resource VOCEDplus: voced.edu.au NCVER: ncver.edu.au

• Assessment • Inclusive education and training • Regulation • Foundation skills • Teaching and learning This part of the Resource provides access to standards, guidance, research and good practice resources to inform daily work, and select from Australian resources with some international examples.

@NCVER ncver.edu.au NCVER

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WORLDSKILLS AUSTRALIA 2019 SKILLAROOS HAVE WOWED INTERNATIONAL CROWDS IN KAZAN, RUSSIA WorldSkills Australia A team of 15 talented young Australian apprentices and tradespeople – known as the Skillaroos – recently made the journey to Kazan, Russia, to compete in the 45th WorldSkills International Championships. As one of 66 member countries, our Aussie competitors challenged other talented young people in their chosen skill. 12

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November 2019 Volume 14

The Skillaroos and Team Australia did a tremendous job in the championship overall, with Clinton Larkings (Industrial Mechanic Millwright) receiving a Silver Medal and Patrick Brennan (Refrigeration & Air Conditioning), Maxine Colligan (Car Painting), and Patrick Keating (Plumbing & Heating) receiving Bronze medals for their respective skills. WorldSkills Australia also received 9 Medallions of Excellence. Cheered on by their family, friends and WorldSkills experts, every Skillaroo competed with pride and poured their hearts into their chosen trades. It’s sure to be a memory that lasts a lifetime for these young Australians. The competition itself was held at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre, a purpose-built centre constructed specifically for WorldSkills International, on a plot of 74.8 hectares near the Kazan International Airport. Competitors were vying for a bronze, silver or gold medal, and results were announced at the closing ceremony on Tuesday 27th August at the Kazan Arena Stadium, which was also the location of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The road to Kazan began last week when our Skillaroos were farewelled by family, friends and supporters at an event hosted by the NRL at the Sydney Cricket Ground. After the event, they participated in a resiliencebuilding workshop where they had the opportunity to start reflecting on their journey thus far and bond with their fellow teammates.

The Skillaroos hit the ground running at a short stopover in Moscow, meeting Australian Ambassador to Russia, Graeme Meehan, and also squeezing in a boat tour down the Moscow river. Upon arrival in Kazan, Team Australia settled into their accommodation at the WorldSkills Village. Prior to the first day of competition, the Skillaroos were shown through the competition spaces so they could familiarise themselves with the equipment and get a feel for the space. They also had the opportunity to be involved in a tree planting and flag-raising ceremony.

Cheered on by their family, friends and WorldSkills experts, every Skillaroo competed with pride and poured their hearts into their chosen trades. Day one of competition began on 23rd August after an inspiring opening ceremony the night before. The official Australian flag bearer, Clinton Larkings, was voted in by his teammates, and he proudly waved the flag as the Skillaroos entered the arena. In the crowd, cheers from the official Skillaroos Supporters squad could be heard, and a group made up of teachers, mentors, parents, government and industry. Competition continued across the next three days, with the competitors rising to the occasion and displaying great acts of comradery and sportsmanship. A monumental effort was presented by the entire team,

which included a large volunteer workforce from across Australia. Brigitte Collins, WorldSkills Australia General Manager, shared from Kazan, “we are all very impressed with the performance of the team, they showcased the power of excellence and demonstrated the strength of vocational education and training in Australia. “Our internationally recognised experts and volunteers demonstrated once again, their capability and dedication. The Skillaroos, Team Australia and the volunteer workforce should all feel very proud of what they accomplished here in Kazan, Russia. Today we look toward the WorldSkills Australia National Championship and the 46th WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai.” WorldSkills Australia is a social enterprise that passionately believes that skills drive your future and Australia’s prosperity. Since 1981 we have been the leading voice for skills excellence in vocational, technological and service oriented careers in Australia and have raised the awareness of hundreds of thousands of young Australians, as well as their parents, industry and employers. @WorldSkills_AU www.worldskills. org.au WorldSkills Australia

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INSPIRE

SCOTT CAM NAMED NATIONAL CAREERS AMBASSADOR “For everyone to advance their lives, quality career advice is vital. The National Careers Institute will help Australians of all ages realise their potential, and access the information they need for a rewarding career” – Scott Cam Former apprentice, business owner and television host Scott Cam will inspire the next generation of career seekers in his new role as Australia’s first National Careers Ambassador. Working with the new National Careers Institute, Scott will help promote the importance of career information, both for people starting out in their careers and at key transition points throughout a career. Scott will help the NCI promote the variety of career pathways available, including vocational education and training (VET), something he’s well placed to do as a VET graduate. Announced in the Federal Budget, the NCI is being established to work with industry, education providers, career advisers, parents and employers to discover the best way to ensure Australia’s career

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development system is simpler, and more responsive to the needs of our workforce.

Scott Cam will help the National Career Institute promote the variety of career pathways available, including vocational education and training (VET)... This is particularly important as our economy and the way we work changes, with people needing to have a mix of technical, trade and practical skills for their jobs. Given his background, Scott will champion VET as a valuable and rewarding choice for both new starters and experienced workers. VET is well positioned to keep pace with the future of work because its courses are driven by what employers need.

The NCI was established on 1 July 2019, initially within the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business. To ensure that it meets the career education needs of Australians, the Institute has held codesign workshops around the country. For those were unable to attend a workshop, the NCI online engagementhub has a range of engagement tools to encourage stakeholders and the public to provide feedback on the work of the institute. For more information on the National Careers Institute and to engage in the national careers conversation go to www.nci.employment.gov.au.

November 2019 Volume 14

VET HAS TRANSFORMED MY LIFE Odin Lowsley Some say I have a slightly different perspective on the VET system than many. I see it as an aspirational pathway. Why? Well, coming from a family of teachers (every child’s dream, I can assure you) I’ve always been shown the power of good education. Through primary and high school, academics were my driving force, and to an extent, still are. I won DUX in primary school (which I’m still dining out on today) and was selected for the academic excellence program at High School. However, I wasn’t getting to where I wanted to go fast enough. High school is great but many aspects of it distracted me from what I am truly passionate about: Graphic Design. So, I worked with my VET coordinator and family support team to organise a one-day-a-week Certificate III in Multimedia at TAFE Coomera. I loved it so much I decided to apply for the Diploma of Graphic Design program the next year, meaning that instead of Year 11, I attended TAFE full-time, following my dream. This wasn’t as easy as you may think. Here I was at 15, trying to get into a TAFE system that really had no idea what to do with someone so young, but were willing to give me a shot anyway. After countless interviews, essays and

application forms, I was accepted. Then, I had the opportunity to design! Posters, typography, illustrations, everything! I also got to see my art publicly displayed under the Sundale Bridge, which featured on the news, in magazines, and in the newspapers. I got to know some awesome people and I even won the TAFE QLD Creative Industries and Overall Student of the Year awards when I graduated. Most importantly though, I had a great time doing what I love.

...for students who already know what they are passionate about, VET pathways offer a rocket-ship ride into their chosen career After all the fame and glory of TAFE, I faced my next big challenge: University. My diploma already guaranteed me a spot at the University of Canberra, but also helped me apply to the course I really wanted at Griffith University. So, at age 16, I enrolled in a double degree (Graphic Design & Business) and let me tell you, I haven’t slept since! TAFE weren’t quite done helping me yet and nominated me for the 2018 Queensland Training Awards. This was a tremendous honour and a bit of work on top of my already busy University schedule. But it all paid off when I

won Vocational Student of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards and runner-up Vocational Student of the Year at the national Australian Training Awards. This also provided me with the opportunity to serve as an international VET Ambassador, which took me to Vietnam promoting VET just this October! Meanwhile, back at University, I finished my first year and began to realise how well my VET training had prepared me to succeed. I have secured employment in my industry and been able to build realworld experience while studying. VET has transformed my life. Although my story isn’t one of hardship or disillusionment with academics (on the contrary) my journey shows clearly that VET is an invaluable and largely unrecognised opportunity for driven students who want to embark on their career pathway sooner. VET offers immense opportunities for exploring and discovering what a student is suited to however, for students who already know what they are passionate about, VET pathways offer a rocketship ride into their chosen career.

Odin Lowsley

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INSPIRE

EXCELLENCE IN VET: 2019 AUSTRALIAN TRAINING AWARDS

@AusTrainAwards www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au

Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business On 21 November more than 750 people gathered at the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre to celebrate the Australian Training Awards, the biggest night on Australia’s Vocational Education and Training Calendar. The evening brought together the nation’s best in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. The 77 finalists comprising of apprentices, trainees, VET students, teachers, practitioners, employers and training providers were rewarded and recognised for demonstrating excellence in VET. Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, said the Australian Training Awards celebrate the significant talent evident in Australia’s vocational education and training sector. “The annual Awards reinforce the benefits of a vibrant VET sector to our community. Our strong VET sector is preparing Australians with the skills employers need now and into the future,” said Minister Cash. “This year’s impressive finalists and winners showcase the outstanding career opportunities offered by vocational education and training.” The most coveted award of the night, the Apprentice of the Year, was won

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by Northern Territory carpenter Rory Milner. Unfulfilled with a desk job, former engineer Rory decided a change of career was on the cards.

The Awards demonstrate how a vocational pathway leads to real skills for real careers and how important VET is for industry and students to prepare for the jobs of today He embarked on a Certificate III in Carpentry with mega-builder Sunbuild. Rory’s Australian Training Award sits alongside the multiple awards he won in 2018: Master Builders Australia National Apprentice of the Year, Master Builders Australia NT Overall Apprentice of the Year, and the Master Builders Australia NT General Building and Construction Apprentice of the Year. The Awards demonstrate how a vocational pathway leads to real skills for real careers and how important VET is for industry and students to prepare for the jobs of today, and the increasingly complex and globalised future of work.

Importantly, all Australian Training Award winners, runners up and finalists embark on an ongoing journey. They are all invited to become ambassadors for VET through the Australian VET Alumni. Many of the apprentices and trainees are also invited to become Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors – highly prized roles appointed by the Australian Government. Applications for next years 2020 Australian Training Awards open on 1 December 2019.

Lifetime Achievement Award Wayne Collyer

National Achievement Award Judith McKay

November 2019 Volume 14

2019 WINNERS Individual, Business and RTO Lifetime Achievement Award: Wayne Collyer Wayne Collyer was Managing Director at Polytechnic West (now South Metropolitan TAFE) from 2004 until his retirement in February 2013. In the ten years previous, he was Managing Director of Central West College of TAFE (now Central Regional TAFE). Mr Collyer was instrumental in leading both organisations to the prestigious title of Western Australian Large Training Provider of the Year at the WA Training Awards for Central West in 2002 and 2003, and Polytechnic West in 2006 and 2011. Throughout his career Mr Collyer achieved significant results for VET in Western Australia, not only through his roles as Managing Director, but also through his considerable expertise in developing future VET leaders and providing leadership to state and national policy committees. Nationally, Mr Collyer has contributed to the development and continuous improvement of a world class Australian VET sector through his long commitment and executive membership of the TAFE Directors Australia Board including five years as Deputy Chair. He was also a member of the 2008 Parliamentary Committee on Education and Training for the House of Representatives. Mr Collyer’s passion and drive are renowned across the VET sector and beyond. Over his more than 40 years as an educator, 36 of them dedicated to VET, Mr Collyer has made a difference to the future of hundreds of thousands of students and has been an instrumental builder of the education and training sector to the benefit of thousands more students into the future.

Since commencing his new career as CEO of Collyer Consultancy, Mr Collyer has been appointed to a number of national and international boards, such as Worldskills Australia; Australian Vocational Education Training and Employment Group, SkillsTech Australia and recently Central Queensland University Regional Engagement Committee. Mr Collyer has also undertaken a number of missions as a consultant for AusAid in conjunction with the Australia Africa Partnerships Facility, with a primary focus on mining training and governance in Mozambique.

Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award: Debra Guntrip – Tasmania

National Achievement Award: Judith McKay

Apprentice of the Year: Rory Milner – Northern Territory

Judith McKay is a champion of vocational education and training (VET) in the Northern Territory. To appreciate how highly valued her work is, it is important to acknowledge the challenges of remoteness, working across the Northern Territory with a population under 250,000. Most of the population lives in the Greater Darwin area with the remainder spread over regional, remote and very remote areas of the Northern Territory.

Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award: Essential Energy

Judith commenced her engagement with VET in earnest as a frontline trainer and assessor in Alcohol and Other Drugs with the Northern Territory Government. Eighteen years on from this and Judith remains as tenacious and determined as ever to promote and guide industry sectors, businesses, employers and those that will listen, to take up vocational training opportunities whilst maintaining a resolute belief in the positives to be gained through the use and completion of vocational training.

VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year: Sarah Ford – NSW Vocational Student of the Year: Shaona Imaru – South Australia ATSI Student of the Year: Taylor Williams – ACT Trainee of the Year: Stephen Witkowski – Tasmania Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year: Arcadia Meldrum – NSW

Small Employer of the Year: Crusader Homes Medium Employer of the Year: Atsill’s Electrical Services P/L Large Employer of the Year: Barminco

Industry Collaboration Award: Holmesglen Institute and Royal Children’s Hospital Collaboration School Pathways to VET Award: Circular Head Christian School Small Training Provider of the Year: Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta Large Training Provider of the Year: Sunraysia Institute of TAFE International Training Provider of the Year: TAFE Queensland Profiles of all winners, runners up and finalists are available at: www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au

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Staying Connected in VET

EMPOWER

2019 NATIONAL VET CONFERENCE Michelle Charlton Each year, Velg Training works to bring the best speakers, presentations and sponsors together for two-days of everything VET. #2019NVC was no exception with people from all around Australia converging on the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre to experience the excitement and action that is NVC.

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November 2019 Volume 14

As always, the NVC was preceded by a series of Master Classes on the Wednesday prior to the conference opening. Velg Training’s conference Master Classes offer an opportunity to hear from a presenter considered a Master in their field in a session longer and more in-depth than the programmed conference sessions. As a point of difference, NVC Master Classes are not just for advanced practitioners and content as they are offered at various levels; from beginner through to advanced, with participants able to engage the presenter with more questions than otherwise perhaps able to do so in a conference session. This year, the Master Class sessions covered topics related to assessment, compliance, delivery techniques and teaching in a digital environment. These preconference sessions are always popular as a way to maximise time; if you’re travelling to attend the NVC, there is the option to come a day early and participate in a workshop-style session presented by a topic Master.

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Although the offering of a preconference Master Class program remained a constant, the 2019 conference program mixed it up a bit compared to previous years. This year, Velg Training introduced two keynote sessions across the days, a switch in when the longer programs would run (morning to afternoon), and a new ‘Freestyle Facilitation’ stream which was a semi-structured session allowing for audience Q&A on the particular topic.

The #2019NVC app made an appearance this year even bigger and better than previous years Some things did not change however, with the ever-popular components of variety in topic streams, talk to a VET Expert at the VELGHUB, sponsor displays, and of course, themed Welcome Function, all part of the action. Live music at the Velgywood Welcome Function, games and prizes rounded out the first day of intensive learning and networking.

The #2019NVC app made an appearance this year even bigger and better than previous years with added functionality to cater to delegates wanting to plan the best possible day of learning. The app allowed for an activity feed, program, presenter and sponsor information, maps (the BCEC was huge!), information on competitions, live connectivity and community interaction with other delegates, and last but not least, personalised PD planner. Yet another ‘small thing’ designed to make a big difference for guests. Photos, comments and feedback continue to dominate social media and already, the Events team is planning the next National VET Conference; to be held on the Gold Coast in 2020. The only way to experience the best bang for your PD buck is to join the thousand or so practitioners who head to NVC to hear from the National VET Regulator, experts and consultants willing to share and showcase the best in VET. Can’t wait to see you at #2020NVC!

Consulting Our specialist consulting services are delivered by VET industry experts. We work with RTOs across Australia to provide internal audits, training product reviews, compliance and oneon-one assistance. Services can be tailored to your organisation by consultants located around the country.

Consultants specialise in: ▪ Standards for RTOs 2015

▪ RTO & CRICOS set up and

▪ Government funding

compliance

including VET Student Loans

▪ Internal auditing and

▪ Training product reviews

rectifications

▪ Assessment development

▪ Contract funding audits &

▪ Course accreditation

reviews ▪ Validation

For more information, contact consulting@velgtraining.com or view our services online at velgtraining.com/consulting

Membership Velg Training Membership supports your compliance with the National VET Standards. As a member you have access to programs and resources that assist in the continued development of knowledge and practice of vocational training, learning and assessment. Membership is available to all VET practitioners from private, public and enterprise training organisations as well as VET consultants. Velg Training prides itself on being a member serving organisation.

Member Benefits • Store & upload your PD**

• Access to Knowledge Hub

• Advice & assistance from Velg Training staff*

• Discounts on all events

• Free professional development • Weekly Members eNews

*Advice is limited to responding to brief, general VET queries. More in depth questions or specific review of RTO documents or processes may require a formal consulting quote to be raised. For more information contact consulting@velgtraining.com **Available to Member Plus options only

Individual

Individual+

Corporate

Corporate+

$299/year incl.GST

$399/year incl.GST

$999/year incl.GST

$1499/year incl.GST

For more information regarding Velg Training Membership please contact members@velgtraining.com

Staying Connected in VET

EMPOWER

AUSTRALIAN VET ALUMNI PROGRAM Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business

The Australian VET Alumni is a community of VET students, teachers, employers and training organisations in Australia. Membership into the VET Alumni is exclusively by invitation of the Australian Government only. Members include Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors, Australian Training Awards winners and finalists, WorldSkills Australia national champions, National Apprentice Employment Network’s Today’s Skills, Tomorrow’s Leaders participants and high performing employers and registered training organisations. The purpose of the Alumni is to build a community to share personal stories and achievements with all Australians, assist the Australian Government with VET policy discussions and join in mentoring activities. The VET Alumni Program aims to improve the status and appeal of VET and encourage participation in high quality training that meets the needs of industry and employers and gives all Australians the best opportunity to get a job.

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The objectives for the alumni are to: • increase awareness and raise the profile of the range of VET opportunities and career pathways • shift perceptions about the value and benefits of participation in, and completion of, industry focused training • inform potential school leavers, jobseekers, influencers, employers and training providers of the VET opportunities and career pathways • inspire, educate and link prospective students, job seekers, influencers and employers • address perceived misconceptions about VET. All members have been recognised for their training excellence or be viewed as a role model for VET. Members who are undertaking or have completed an apprenticeship also take on the role of an Australian Apprenticeships Ambassador (AAA). The AAA program is so effective it has been recognised by UNESCO

having been added to a United Nations Technical and Vocational Promising Practices Database which showcases initiatives from around the world that are improving VET practices. To learn more about the Australian VET Alumni Program visit: https://www.myskills.gov.au/theaustralian-vet-alumni-program/

QUICK FACTS: • Invited to join the program are individuals, businesses, practitioners and registered training organisations who have excelled in undertaking, or delivering, VET. • Requests for appearances by Australian VET Alumni members at careers related conferences and events can be made through the Department of Education and Training. • The Australian VET Alumni program has over 400 members representing many industry areas. • Australian VET Alumni members can also be Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors.

November 2019 Volume 14

SHOWCASE YOUR BRAND AT A VELG TRAINING EVENT You’ll be laughing at the amount of opportunities you uncover with us. Find out what event will suit your company and explore our Sponsorship Handbooks below:

> 2020 VET CEO Conference > 2020 Queensland Schools VET Conference > 2020 National VET Conference © Velg Training All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means without explicit written permission of the editor, except in the case of brief quotations and other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the editor at the address below, with the subject “Permissions Request”. CONTACT Velg Training Pty Ltd. 1/52 Jeffcott Street Wavell Heights QLD 4012 | 07 3866 0888 | enquiries@velgtraining.com BECOME A MEMBER To stay connected with Velg Training and find a membership option that best suits you visit velgtraining.com. CONTRIBUTE Velg Training welcomes previously unpublished editorial contributions in the form of VET sector news, events and feature articles supplied with high quality web resolution photographs. All submissions will be published at the editorial committee’s discretion and may be used in Velg Training’s eNewsletters upon confirmation with the contributor. ADVERTISE Advertising space is limited and bookings will be confirmed upon receipt of payment on a ‘first in, best dressed’ basis. Advertising bookings do not guarantee editorial submissions will be published. For more information, view the Terms and Conditions of Contract in the 2020 Media Kit. Publication design by Caitlin Ryan.

vision for the future GOLD COAST / 17 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18 SEPTEMBER 2020

SAVE THE DATE Join us on the Gold Coast for the 2020 National VET Conference. There are opportunities to attend, present or sponsor the largest gathering of Vocational Education and Training practitioners across Australia!

REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN ONLINE CONTACT 07 3866 0888 conference@velgtraining.com

Thursday 17 September 2020 Friday 18 September 2020