$5m trade pathways program open for applications
Organisations may be eligible for grants of up to $500,000 under a state government program aimed at establishing new pathways to trade qualifications.
The $5 million Trade Pathways Innovation Fund will support industry-led projects that trial and test new approaches to improve the accessibility of trade training for women, mature age workers and school leavers.
It aims to establish new pathways to trade qualifications or enhance existing non-traditional pathways.
Applications will be accepted from group training organisations (GTOs), local government, trade unions, industry training advisory bodies (ITABs), independent statutory bodies and industry representative bodies.
Industry-led projects will commence in May 2023 for a period of 12-months.
A webinar on the program will be held 1 March 2023 from 2-3 pm. Register here.
Applications close 4 April 2023.
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State-of-the-art TAFE NSW multi-trades hub revolutionising skills training
The new multi-trades hub at TAFE NSW Meadowbank is a hive of activity as thousands of students start their studies in areas including carpentry and plumbing.
BCRITAB was delighted to visit the centre this week and see the remarkable state-of-the-art facility which is transforming trades skills.
The trades hub is a part of the Institute of Applied Technology Digital which opened earlier this year.
The $157m facility includes dedicated plumbing pits and a large-scale, flexible space to accommodate the construction of full-scale buildings for use in carpentry and electrotechnology training.
A second Institute of Applied Technology specialising in construction is due to open at TAFE NSW Kingswood next year.
Anyone wanting more information about the multi-trades-hub construction facilities can contact iatconstruction@tafensw.edu.au
Many thanks to TAFE NSW for the visit, most particularly to John Tannous, Industry Innovation Specialist for Construction and Energy Skills, and Jenni Downes, Industry Innovation Specialist for Hospitality, Commercial Cookery and Finance.
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Roofing company fined after worker seriously injured
SafeWork NSW reports that Parrish Group NSW Pty Ltd has been fined $300,000 after a worker was seriously injured falling from a roof in Kembla Grange near Wollongong in March 2020.
Head of SafeWork NSW Natasha Mann said the company was sentenced in the NSW District Court for failing to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers.
“The 25-year-old was fitting guttering to the building when he stepped through a gap and fell about 6.8 metres to the concrete slab below,” Ms Mann said.
“From March 2020 onwards, the company changed the way they installed guttering which meant workers left gaps along the length of the guttering where the sumps were to be installed.
"The changed method of work relied on workers maintaining awareness of the areas of unsupported guttering. A risk assessment would have identified and assessed the hazard of the inadequately supported areas.
“This court outcome demonstrates SafeWork NSW’s dedication to enforce the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and hold those who don’t follow the rules to account.”
Parrish Group NSW Pty Ltd has a right to appeal the sentence.
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Mining jobs and spending hit a record in NSW
The NSW Minerals Council’s latest annual member Expenditure Survey has found that in the last financial year the 27 participating NSW mining companies supported a record number of mining jobs and direct spending in NSW.
The participating mining companies supported almost 31,000 full time equivalent jobs, an increase of over 900 on the previous year and the highest reported in the decade-long history of the survey.
The companies directly injected a record $16.7 billion into the NSW economy over the same period, an increase of $2 billion in spending compared to the previous year.
The Hunter region recorded the highest direct expenditure in 2021/22, with $6.3 billion (or 37.4% of the total direct spend across NSW), followed by Sydney ($3.7 billion, or 22.0%) and Central West ($1.3 billion, or 7.7%).
See the full report.
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Registrations open for NSW Skills Conference
Registrations are open for the 2023 Skills Conference in Sydney on 14 June, hosted by the Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT.
It is always a great day of skills news, information and debate!
See the full program and register here
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Apprentice plumbers able to apply for $3k Rheem grant
Rheem Australia is encouraging Australian apprentice plumbers and gas fitters to apply for a share of $30,000 in grants available from the 2023 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants program.
Ten deserving apprentice plumbers from around the country will be rewarded with a grant of $3,000 to support the progression of their studies and help launch their plumbing careers.
The Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants program was established to invest in the future of the plumbing industry. Through helping to relieve the financial stress felt by many apprentice plumbers, the program assists plumbers in completing their study.
Applications are now open, and will close on Friday 21 April 2023. Successful grant recipients will be announced in May 2023.
Applicants must submit the completed form via the website at www.rheem.com.au/apprentice.
Any questions regarding the application process should be emailed to
rheemgrants@impactagency.com.au.
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Video helps with selecting subjects for school-based apprenticeships
The team from the Educational Pathways Program in the NSW Department of Education have put out an informative video that addressees subject selection advice when considering a school based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT).
Deciding on subjects for years 11 and 12 can be an overwhelming process for some students.
The video helps break down what it could look like if they decide to include an SBAT in their choices, with two examples of students doing different SBATs.
Watch the video
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Information sessions for Aboriginal small business owners
Aboriginal businesses wishing to work with the NSW Department of Education may be interested in upcoming sessions to hear from the procurement team.
Members of the team will explain the basic procurement principles and rules, how prequalification schemes work and how suppliers can become prequalified.
See all the upcoming events and register.
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Reminder that applications for NSW Training Awards close 19 March
Applications for the Individual Categories at the NSW Training Awards close 19 March 2023.
The caretaker period for the NSW State election starts on 3 March, which means that applications in the Individual Categories won't be extended, as in previous years.
Individual categories are:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
- Apprentice of the Year
- School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
- Trainee of the Year
- VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
- Vocational Student of the Year
- VET in Schools Student of the Year
Applications in the Organisation categories will close on April 2nd 2023.
Organisation categories are:
- Large Training Provider of the Year
- Small Training Provider of the Year
- Industry Collaboration Award
- Large Employer of the Year
- Small Employer of the Year
See more
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