ASQA is extending timeframes for RTOs to respond to regulatory decisions. During this period, RTOs will be given additional time in which to respond to a decision notice or to make an application for review of a decision. The extended date for action will be clearly stated on the notice ASQA issues.

To help providers interpret training package requirements and understand where flexibility exists to provide training or assessment in simulated environments, ASQA has developed video guidance, examples, and some advice tips.

The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) Emergency Response Sub-Committee has also released a statement providing advice about mandatory workplace requirements, with specific updates about the existing flexibilities in some training packages.

For further information, click here.

ASQA has recently approved an extended transition period for the superseded qualifications and superseded and deleted units of competency in UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package Release 2.0. The extended training, assessment and certification issuance period for these training products ends on 5 October 2022.

Read more.

ASQA has recently approved an extended transition period for AHC31316 Certificate III in Sports Turf Management. The extended training, assessment and certification issuance period for this qualification ends on 20 December 2021.

Read more.

The Local Recovery Fund is now open for 25 select regions experiencing high unemployment to develop local and tailored projects, to help Australians get back into work and assist communities recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.

Applications are now open for local groups and organisations to apply to receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $200,000, to develop projects, including mentoring, training and reskilling, in line with local employment needs. Applications for the Local Recovery Fund will open from 3 November with funding available from mid-December 2020.

For further information, click here.

The AISC Emergency Response Sub-Committee has endorsed a further two new skills sets under the Critical Skills for Recovery work. These skill sets are designed to respond to changes in skills needs arising from COVID-19 and include:

• TAESS00018 Deliver E-Learning Skill Set: This skill set will address the rapid need for upskilling among learning organisations in light of COVID-19 by assisting both teachers and trainers across educational organisations to deliver in online and remote learning environments.
• SIRSS00022 Manage disrespectful, aggressive or abusive customers: This skill set will provide students with strategies for managing and addressing their own mental well-being, while identifying and dealing with potentially volatile situations and customers in their workplace.

USI Registry System is now available

Higher Education Providers and Tertiary Admission Centres can access the USI Registry System by:

• integrating USI web services with Student Management Systems.
• accessing the USI Organisation Portal.

To request the USI Check Character Algorithm that can be used to configure USI fields within higher education systems and forms, complete this form.

Read more.

This paper provides high-level information and data on the Food and Pharmaceutical Production industry cluster, including information on employment levels and trends, training activity and priority skills. It shows that employment levels in Food Product Manufacturing have decreased overall between 2000 and 2020, however, it is projected to increase by 2024.

Read further.

The Australian Government’s Career Revive pilot initiative, aims to increase women’s workforce participation by supporting businesses to attract and retain women returning to work after a career break. This includes reviewing the physical workplace, as well as processes, policies and their workplace culture to identify potential barriers. Career Revive engaged KPMG as business improvement consultants to offer guidance on how to improve the businesses practices and policies and develop a tailored action on attracting and retaining skilled women who’ve been out of the workforce for an extended period.

Read more.

This paper provides high level information and data on the Animal Care and Management industry, which can be described as having eight sub-sectors. It shows that employment levels for Veterinary Services and Parks and Gardens Operations have grown significantly since 2000 but are projected to decline by 2024 to roughly 28,300 and 17,500 respectively.

Read further.

SALM presents unemployment and the unemployment rate estimates at the Statistical Area 2 (SA2) and Local Government Area (LGA) level. The latest available estimates are for the June quarter 2020.

The June quarter 2020 SALM estimates have begun to reflect the significant negative impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on labour market conditions throughout Australia. The latest 2020 SALM estimates show that 64.4 per cent of SA2s recorded an increase in their unemployment rate over the year to the June quarter 2020.In the June quarter 2020, 53.6 per cent of SA2s recorded an unemployment rate of less than 5.0 per cent while 11.2 per cent of SA2s recorded an unemployment rate of 10.0 per cent or more. 

Read more.

The following training packages have been updated on training.gov.au:

• MAR: Maritime Training Package
  Revised 27th October 2020.
• TLI: Transport and Logistics Training Package
  Revised 27th October 2020.
• TAE: Training and Education Training Package
  Revised 28th October 2020.
• FNS: Financial Services Training Package
  Revised 4th November 2020.
• AUR: Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package
  Revised 13th November 2020.
• PMA: Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining
  Revised 16th November 2020.

Updates have been made to some Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships Qualifications.

View.

The Training Accreditation Council (TAC) has published its latest edition of the Users Guide to the Standards for RTOs (the Guide). This webinar focuses on the purpose and structure of the Guide and how it can be utilised. The Guide and workshop contain specific information to TAC’s policies and processes. 

Register here.

The 2020 Conference program will consist of highly interactive concurrent workshops as well as high-profile keynote presentations on the theme of VET teaching and learning strategies for engaging with industry and learners.

Register here.