“The wine industry is constantly evolving and it still relies on some old world techniques blended with the newest technologies. With these new technologies come new challenges and requirements for staff understanding and competencies. These revised qualification is a start to enhance the skills and knowledge of our workforce and therefore in the Australian wine industry overall.” Michael Horley, Packaging Technical Trainer, Casella Family Brands Visit the project page  

Work is underway to review and update units and qualifications in food and beverage processing, so that they reflect new innovations, products and processes adopted by industry over the past decade. Drafts of the updated documents will be made available in early 2020 for broad stakeholder feedback. You’re invited to register for a face-to-face consultation workshop or webinar, so that you can discuss the draft documents with the project team and other members of your industry when they become available. Visit … Read More

It’s been another fascinating year working with you all to understand the innovations and changing ways of work in your industries. Skills Impact is fortunate to have a role that supports us to collaborate with industry, the government and training providers in this unique space. Through our combined efforts, in 2018-19 we have: Managed 32 projects to improve national skills standards & qualifications Developed eight Skills Forecasts to identify future skills needs and solutions Supported 12 Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) to engage with over … Read More

During initial consultation on the draft units and qualifications for conservation and land management, it became evident that there was a need for new units to capture skills standards in a range of industry sub-sectors. These additional new units are now available for you to view and comment on. Feedback on all draft units and qualifications for this project will be open until 31 January, so that thorough feedback can be recieved. Visit the project page

Consultation and research during the planning stage of this project has indicated that current qualifications do not meet industry needs and require restructuring. Proposed changes to qualifications in animal studies, companion animals, pet grooming, and animal control and regulation have been described in a discussion paper, which we are seeking feedback on. Your feedback on the proposed changes will inform work on draft qualifications, which will be made available for review and comment in February 2020. Visit the project page

Each year the Australian Training Awards recognise and celebrate individuals, businesses and registered training organisations for their contributions to the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. This year, some of the Skills Impact team attended the awards, where they caught up with finalists and winners from the industries we work with, some of whom have been directly involved in projects to update skills standards in their sector. Read more about these amazing teachers, trainers, students and trainees below.

“I have a great appreciation for the importance of continuous training and updating skills to ensure career growth and development. Therefore, I am currently looking into a Certificate IV in Aquaculture, or other related certificates.” This passion for learning has put Stephen in good stead for progressing his career. He was a well-qualified candidate when a position in the Environments Department arose at Tassal. However, Stephen stresses that the real advantage of his qualifications, is how they have equipped him … Read More

“Now that my business is up and running, I’m excited to get out into remote communities and share the  knowledge I have with people. I want to show them what they can grow in their environment. I also want to learn from people in those remote environments and learn more about bush tucker, because they’re the ones with the knowledge.” For anyone thinking of pursuing a career through training in the VET sector, Kristy says it can give you not … Read More

Gina was inspired to enter the training awards by her students, whose successes reflect her own hard work and passion for VET teaching and cheese. Winning the South Australian VET Training or Teacher of the Year award and then being a finalist for the National Award has been an exciting and rewarding experience for Gina. “The journey has been amazing. Rediscovering myself while writing the application, the nervousness in the interview, the nerves waiting to go on stage was quite … Read More

“To have the opportunity to work with some of the brightest, highly skilled, future meat industry personnel is an honour. If the opportunity presents itself for you to step out of industry and into the training sector (even for a sessional class or half day sessions here or there) grab it with both hands.” “Fourteen years ago, when I was contemplating leaving my managerial position for a teaching position it was with some trepidation – now I would not change … Read More

We need your help to check that draft skills standards for the meat processing industry accurately reflect job roles and industry practices. Your input during the previous round of feedback has been considered in these final draft units of competency, skill sets and qualifications. They are now available for validation by following the links to the individual project pages below.

Feedback has been collected on the draft skills standards for the below projects. Your comments will influence work on the final drafts, which will become available for review and comment in mid-December. For further details, follow the links below. Coming next year: Final drafts for medicinal crops