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Primary Skills Victoria News Update - January 2010

Submitted by admin on 11 January 2010 - 3:44pm

Welcome back for 2010.  The Primary Skills Victoria office is open again following our customary two week break over the holiday period.  This aside, PSV has been engaged in a number of different activities over the last few months including the recent launch of the new website and we are excited to invite all to have a browse around and take advantage of some of the new features including the training reform section and the feedback function.

The Skills Pledge

Also on the list of what’s new, Primary Skills Victoria has been heavily involved in promotion of the Victorian Government’s Skills Pledge facilitated through Skills Victoria.  So far around 40 enterprises from the primary sectors have signed up to The Pledge and have had links to their websites and logos posted on the Skills Victoria website. 

Skills for Growth - Workforce Development

PSV has also undertaken a specialist role, in partnership with TDT Victoria, to assist in Workforce Development Plans which seek to create a dedicated staff development strategy within an individual small or medium business (up to 200 employees) including negotiations for the delivery of appropriate training as identified within each tailored plan.  This activity is being funded under the state government’s Skills for Growth initiative through Business Victoria and is available to all non-government entities. 

ITAB Review

The Victorian Skills Commission (VSC) is currently undertaking a review of the state government’s relationship with Industry Training Advisory Bodies (ITABs) and PSV Council members have participated in discussions with VSC staff representatives to assist to facilitate high quality outcomes.  It is expected that stimulating training demand and industry engagement with the training system will be prioritised in line with current reform initiatives. 

Nursery Pre-Apprenticeship Program

In partnership with the Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) a pilot program aimed at encouraging new entrants into apprenticeships through the provision of a strategic workforce development strategy has been developed.  Successful applicants will be offered a training scholarship in a pre-vocational program with approved graduates being selected for ongoing development and employment within the nursery industry under an apprenticeship 

Industry Skill Needs Report

Development of the 2010 PSV Industry Skill Needs Report is well underway and Access Economics has been appointed by Skills Victoria to conduct the feedback procedure with ITABs.  The timeline for completion of these processes has changed somewhat with the initial draft process having been completed and presented in late 2009.  Additional comment has been requested from key industry personnel and a final draft and feedback is expected to be completed during January and February in conjunction with a series of PSV Industry Standing Committee meetings to discuss this and other current industry training activity.  Relevant publications will be posted on the PSV and Skills Victoria websites in due course. 

Enterprise based Productivity Places Program

A second instalment of the Enterprise Based Productivity Places Program (EPPPP) has now been announced by the federal government.  This allocation will be managed by the Industry Skills Councils and unlike the previous program will not involve the State Training Authority.  This will allow employers to gain productivity training places and, where there are fewer than 100 employees within the organisation, 90% of the training investment will be funded by the federal government.  The program is targeted at gaining qualifications at Certificate III level or higher and will require a direct submission from the company or organisation, with the support of AFSA, to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). 

Training Package Reviews

The combined Training Packages of agriculture, horticulture and CLM were posted for comment on the AFSA website late last year with feedback required by the 23rd November.  Following several industry driven campaigns to reinstate agreed content, there is now an expectation that restated industry positions will be posted on the AFSA website after all feedback has been received.  PSV has submitted advice through the AFSA feedback facility communicating the Board’s position concerning endorsement of the Package being contingent on appropriate industry review and a detailed declaration of stakeholder consultation and industry representation.

Following the five Animal Care & Management (ACM) sector workshops hosted by PSV and attended by a strong contingent of industry and RTO participants, it is generally agreed that Michele Jackson, the consultant conducting the review, has conducted suitable industry consultation and it is anticipated that the revised training package will reflect industry concerns when published on the website in early 2010. 

Australian Wool Innovation - Wool Handler Workshops

Two Australian Wool Innovation Ltd. (AWI) funded 3-day Woolhandler Workshops for secondary school students have been completed in the latter half of 2010 at Edenhope and Warracknabeal.  These programs often result in direct employment opportunities for school leavers and students seeking casual work.  There is still one program still to be conducted in the Boort area in late March or early April.  Additionally, a 5-day VET In Schools style partially accredited program will again be run in Hamilton.

Further information is available by visiting relevant pages within this website or by contacting our office through the About Us page.