Feb 21, 2024
NSW Public Sector ITAB February 2024 Newsletter
In this month's newsletter
- Join our online Government, Public Safety & Water Network Forums
- Premier's Vocational Education in Schools Scholarship now open
- NSW Public Sector Government Apprentices and Trainees Program
- Revised Standards offer expanded eligibility for training delivery
- Professor Barney Glover appointed head of Jobs and Skills Australia
- National Jobs and Skills Council Update
Join our online Government, Public Safety & Water Network Forums
Convened by the NSW Public Sector ITAB, these forums bring together the Government and Public Safety Network (GTAN) and Water Industry Network (WTAN) to exchange insights and information related to skill development and training within the government, public safety, corrections, and water sectors across NSW.
Our next network forum, scheduled for 5 March 2024, will be conducted online and features guest speakers from a range of sectors who will share information on emerging trends and innovations. These sessions will offer time for participants to ask questions and discuss the latest challenges and opportunities in skill development and training. Attendees can also expect updates on current VET reforms and the latest funding initiatives for the various sectors in NSW.
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: 5 March 2024
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am (AEST)
Register now
2. Water Industry Training Network (WTAN)
Date: 5 March 2024
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm (AEST)
Register now
Premier's Vocational Education in Schools Scholarship now open
Open to VET accredited teachers or those in VET coordination roles, the Premier’s Vocational Education in Schools Scholarship supports research into key issues impacting students in vocational education.
Research areas might include workplace learning, apprenticeship pathways, industry partnerships, and curriculum structures. The successful applicant will embark on a five-week study tour within Australia or internationally, with follow-up activities.
Time might involve formal study (e.g., undertaking a short course at a respected tertiary institution) or a program of visits to sites, schools and institutions to conduct interviews, observe exemplary practices and collect resources for the preparation of teaching materials related to the specific scholarship category.
A portion of time (up to one week) may be allocated toward follow-up dissemination activities (e.g., experience-sharing, professional learning) within and across NSW, either in-person or virtually.
Sponsored by the NSW Department of Education, the scholarship offers $15,000 for travel in 2025.
Applications close May 3, 2024. Further information can be found on the NSW Department of Education website.
NSW Public Sector Government Apprentices and Trainees Program
The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to address skills shortages through the NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees Program.
This initiative, backed by a $93.5 million investment, aims to add 1,000 apprentices across 30 government agencies and state-owned corporations. Recognizing the importance of a robust vocational education system, the government seeks to reverse the decline in apprenticeships seen over recent years.
Apprenticeships and traineeships offer a valuable combination of on-the-job training and formal education, addressing skills needs in key industries such as transport, electricity, water, IT, and cyber security. Successful applicants will benefit from three years of training, gaining industry experience, career opportunities, and nationally recognized qualifications.
With over 50 qualifications available, including regional roles, this program aims to provide a pathway to a skilled and diverse NSW workforce.
To learn more or express interest in this program, visit The 1,000 NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees Program on the NSW Government website.
Revised Standards offer expanded eligibility for training delivery
Skills ministers have approved a set of initial modifications to the Standards for Registered Training Organizations (RTOs) aimed at broadening the pool of individuals authorized to deliver training. This initiative seeks to alleviate strain on the Vocational Education and Training (VET) workforce.
These revisions, sanctioned during an August 2023 meeting, are slated for implementation in the coming months, following thorough consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Key amendments include:
- Allowing individuals holding an educational degree to serve as VET trainers and/or assessors.
- Permitting individuals actively pursuing a Certificate IV or Diploma from the TAE Training Package to conduct training and contribute to assessment under supervision.
- Empowering individuals possessing a variety of newly acquired or updated skill sets to deliver training under supervision.
- Enabling industry experts to provide training alongside a designated trainer and/or assessor.
- Stipulating that trainers and assessors who presently meet the Standards' requirements will not need to update their qualifications.
These modifications mark the inception of a broader review of the Standards for Registered Training Organizations (RTOs) which will continue in the coming months.
For more information on the RTO revised standards, visit the DEWR website.
Professor Barney Glover appointed head of Jobs and Skills Australia
The appointment of Professor Barney Glover as the new Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has been announced by the Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor.
Professor Glover, currently serving as Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University, brings extensive experience from various leadership roles in the tertiary education sector. He has previously held positions as Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Newcastle, and Pro Vice-Chancellor at Curtin University.
With a background in mathematics and significant expertise in both vocational and higher education, Professor Glover will begin his five-year term in April 2024. Professor Glover's is also recognized for his dual-sector experience and his involvement in initiatives such as the 2023 Universities Accord panel.
Jobs and Skills Australia was established in 2023 to provide independent evidence and advice to Commonwealth government. It has a critical role in informing decisions to address Australia’s current and emerging workforce skills and training needs, such as the challenges in transformation to net zero, the rapidly growing care and support sector, digitisation and the growing need for digital skills.
Read the Media Release in full on DEWR’s website
National Jobs and Skills Council Update
Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) are a national network of industry owned and led organisations, designed to provide leadership in addressing national skills and training needs. They have been established to supply industry with a strong and strategic voice within the VET sector as part of broader government-led skills reform.
The key JSCs affiliated to Public Sector industries are:
Public Skills Australia: Visit the PSA website to find information Members and Committees and use the links to register your interest or place an enquiry.
BuildSkills Australia: Visit the new website to register your interest in consultation or to submit ideas on how to imporve industry training products. Visit BSA’s Events Page to register for a Workforce Planning Roundtable in a city near you. Reach out to George Wall at georgew@buildskills.com.au for any specific water sector issues.
Future Skills Organisation: Provide feedback on the FSO’s Initial Workforce Plan for Finance, Technology and Business Occupations and read the Impact of generative AI on skills in the workplace report.
