ASQA has recently agreed to extend the transition period of the following qualifications from the MEM05 Manufacturing and Engineering Training Package to 31 December 2022:

• MEM10105 Certificate I in Engineering
• MEM30805 Certificate III in Locksmithing
• MEM31112 Certificate III in Engineering – Composites Trade
• MEM31215 Certificate III in Engineering – Industrial Electrician
• MEM30205 Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade
• MEM30305 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade
• MEM40105 Certificate IV in Engineering
• MEM50105 Diploma of Engineering – Advanced Trade
• MEM20205 Certificate II in Engineering – Production Technology
• MEM30105 Certificate III in Engineering – Production Systems
• MEM30605 Certificate III in Jewellery Manufacture
• MEM30705 Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction
• MEM30905 Certificate III in Boating Services
• MEM31010 Certificate III in Watch and Clock Service and Repair

For further information, click here.

ASQA has recently approved an extended transition period for the following qualifications and skill sets:

• PUA21312 Certificate II in Public Safety (SES)
• PUA20613 Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations)
• PUA20713 Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations)
• PUA30412 Certificate III in Public Safety (SES Rescue)
• PUA30512 Certificate III in Public Safety (SES Operations)
• PUA30613 Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations)
• PUA30713 Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations)
• PUA33012 Certificate III in Public Safety (Emergency Communications Centre Operations)
• PUA42712 Certificate IV in Public Safety (Emergency Communications Centre Operations)
• PUA40212 Certificate IV in Public Safety (SES Leadership)
• PUA40313 Certificate IV in Public Safety (Firefighting Supervision)
• PUA50513 Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management)
• PUA50412 Diploma of Public Safety (SES Operations Management)
• PUA60513 Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management)
• PUA60913 Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Fire Investigation)
• PUASS00028 ‐ Basic Rescue
• PUASS00029 ‐ Basic Tree Operations
• PUASS00032 ‐ Beach Team Management
• PUASS00033 ‐ Community Engagement
• PUASS00034 ‐ Flood Response Operations
• PUASS00035 ‐ Floodboat Response Operations
• PUASS00036 ‐ Incident Response Team Leader
• PUASS00037 ‐ Intermediate Tree Operations
• PUASS00038 ‐ Land Search Team
• PUASS00045 ‐ Road Accident Rescue
• PUASS00046 ‐ SES First Aid and Safety
• PUASS00047 ‐ SES Induction
• PUASS00048 ‐ Storm and Water Damage Response

The extended training, assessment and certification issuance period for this qualification ends on 17 July 2022.

For further information, click here.

To support the future growth and prosperity of our nation, the Australian Commonwealth, State and Territory governments are committed to improving the vocational education and training (VET) system through Skills Reform. There are currently five Quality Reform surveys available on www.skillsreform.gov.au and will close on 5:00pm (AEDT) Monday 22 March 2021.

• RTO Quality Survey
• RTO Standards Survey
• Supporting VET Workforce Quality Survey
• RTO Training Experience Survey
• RTO Student Pulse Survey

Read more.

New higher education students now need a Unique Student Identifier (USI) to be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) and Commonwealth financial assistance (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP or OS-HELP).  

From 1 January 2023, all higher education students, including those who commenced prior to 2021, must have a USI in order to graduate and receive their award. This includes all students who started before 2021, and all onshore international students. Continuing students should also get their USI as soon as possible. 

Read more.

The National Skills Overview has now been updated with data and information for 2020/21. The Overview is an initiative of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee and forms part of the National Industry Insights Report website. It provides high-level analysis of industry skills needs and the factors and trends affecting the demand for skills at a national and cross-industry level.

The overview draws on Industry Reference Committee (IRC) in their Skills Forecasts and Proposed Schedules of Work and supports the design and development of training packages that meet the current and future skills needs of industry.

Read more.

Data from the Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey has been published for February 2021. The report shows:

• In February 2021, 46 per cent of surveyed employers reported that they were recruiting or had recruited in the past month, a slight increase from the 45 per cent recorded in December.
• Employers in New South Wales (50 per cent) were most likely to report that they were recruiting, while only 42 per cent of employers in Victoria reported that they were recruiting.
• Recruitment difficulty decreased slightly from 39 per cent in December 2020 to 38 per cent in February 2021
• In February, 20 per cent of employers expected to increase their staffing levels over the next 3 months, compared with 22 per cent in December 2020 and 16 per cent in June 2020.
• Employers in the Construction industry were the most likely to expect to increase their staffing levels over the next three months (26 per cent).

Read more. 

This webinar will provide a discussion of how Australia’s VET sector can be instrumental in driving Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19 with the training it provides to thousands of apprentices and trainees.

Register here.

The first Spotlight On webinar will discuss a focus on compliance when recruiting and developing quality trainers and assessors.

Register here.