On behalf of the industries we provide services to, we are conducting research to help us provide support to the IRCs we work with. We are investigating some of the challenges and opportunities for improvements to the VET sector that have been flagged with us by IRCs, industry stakeholders, RTOs and trainers. The survey is open to anyone that participates in the VET system – whether you are an employer, a training provider, a trainer or assessor, a student or graduate, or … Read More

The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) have established an Emergency Response Sub-Committee to ensure vocational education and training can respond rapidly to critical skill needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four new infection control skill sets have been endorsed by the AISC Emergency Response Sub-Committee, and the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Skills Council and are now available on training.gov.au. They include a generic HLTSS00064 Infection Control Skill Set and three that have been contextualised for the retail, food handling, and transport … Read More

Thank you to those who provided feedback on projects proposed and changes to the industry environment identified as part of this year’s Annual Update to the IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work (Skills Forecast). Your feedback was considered to finalise the document that was submitted from the IRC to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). The information in the Annual Update will be used to update the AISC National Schedule of training package development projects. This year’s Annual Update includes information about employers’ use of … Read More

The AISC and State/Territory Ministers have considered and endorsed eight new units of competency, which define the leadership and management skills required to coordinate wine operations. These new units will help industry keep up with the high demand for Australian wines, capturing the skills required for managing bottling, packaging and cellar operations, in what is an increasingly sophisticated and automated environment. The new units have been incorporated into two skill sets and the Certificate III in Wine Industry Operations. They will soon be … Read More

Consumer interest in the origin, contents, and packaging of food is driving innovation in the food and beverage processing industry. As a result, industry requires updated skills standards that reflect new food safety regulations and manufacturing processes. Feedback on initial draft units, skill sets and qualifications for this work has been affected by Industry’s recent focus on bushfires, floods and COVID-19. Feedback that was received indicated the need for further consultation on some skills standards where significant changes are being proposed. Updated drafts … Read More

Pharmaceutical bioprocessing techniques are used to produce a range of life-saving pharmaceutical products, including vaccines, blood plasma products and gene therapy medicine. It is particularly important that those responsible for the manufacture and distribution of such products are equipped with the appropriate skills for handling them, as they contain delicate organic materials, which need to remain stable to be effective. Nine existing units of competency have undergone review and initial consultation with industry experts to incorporate the skills needed for this work. … Read More

Calling on VET industry stakeholders to raise any COVID-19 issues relating to training products or workforce skilling. As you become aware of issues, please raise them with us promptly to help us work with the Australian Industry Skills Committee to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Contact us on 03 9321 3526 or [email protected]

The majority of Annual Updates for IRC Skills Forecasts have now been submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). The AISC will use the information in the Annual Updates to update their National Schedule of training package development projects. The Annual Updates propose several projects to improve industry qualifications and skills standards between 2020-2021. They also include information about employers’ use of training packages and qualifications, barriers to hiring apprentices and trainees, and reasons behind non-completion rates. They also look … Read More

For the first time, the National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills’ will take place online. Skills Impact CEO, Michael Hartman will present, revealing results out of our national VET System Improvement Survey (as described in the article above). With an innovative mix of live and pre-recorded content, #NoFrills2020 will immerse you in the future of VET. For those interested in attending this virtual event, save 7-10 July 2020 in your diaries and subscribe to NCVER News for more details.

Initial survey responses are indicating different views about the role workplaces and RTOs play in skilling Australia’s future workforce. On behalf of the industries we provide services to, we are conducting research to help us provide support to the IRCs we work with. We are investigating some of the challenges and opportunities for improvements to the VET sector that have been flagged with us by IRCs, industry stakeholders, RTOs and trainers. Responses are still being received and with more than 250 responses to … Read More

Thank you to those who have already provided feedback on projects proposed and changes to the industry environment identified as part of this year’s Annual Update to the IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work (Skills Forecast). Proposed projects for 2020-21 are summarised below. Feedback is being collected between 24 April and 8 May 2020. Your feedback is being considered to finalise the Annual Update, which will be submitted from the IRCs to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) next week. The information will be used … Read More

The additional units of competency included in the below projects have been updated based on your feedback. The final drafts are now available for comment and validation. These units relate to job tasks in the broader timber manufactured products and sawmilling and processing industry sectors. Those with experience in these sectors are encouraged to participate in the validation process, so that the units are accurate to industry skills needs and job roles. Originally it was communicated that 11 additional units were available for feedback. However, … Read More