Aspire's eNews Edition 110 November 2008

• Research Roundup
• New Release BSB07 Level 4
• Aspire Foundation Grantees
• Aspire gets active for Wellness Month

Research Roundup

Finding it hard to keep up with government’s skills policy? From the research department this month comes an update on the Productivity Places Program and government policy, the latest apprenticeship initiative and statistics, a summary of national research reports and state news in brief.

Federal government invests in training as financial crisis looms

Over the past couple of months there has been much happening in the government’s Productivity Places Program (PPP) initiative, which has been providing government funded vocational education and training spots for job seekers and existing workers. In September, Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, announced an additional $45.5 million for the PPP this financial year to provide an extra 15,000 Certificate III training places for job seekers which will be available immediately.

Also in September South Australia signed up for the PPP with a joint Commonwealth/state package of $14.1 million to deliver training places for existing workers in a six-month pilot project. The state joins Tasmania and Western Australia as all three states have joined the government for the next phase of the program.

In times where the economy looks like slowing down, the government is inclined to invest in skills. The recent financial crisis has inspired Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to expand the PPP. As part of the Government’s $10.3 billion Economic Security Strategy, $187 million will be spent to create an additional 56,000 new training places, almost doubling the amount available this year. The places will be at Certificate I, II and III levels and include what has been termed ‘Structural Adjustment Places’, which will provide retraining opportunities for displaced workers in the automotive and manufacturing industries. To find out more, follow this link: http://mediacentre.dewr.gov.au/mediacentre/Gillard/Releases/187MillionToDoubleTrainingPlacesAndBoostProductivity.htm.

Skills Australia discussion paper

Skills Australia, the statutory body advising the government on Australia’s skills needs has released a discussion paper titled Future governance of the National Vocational Education and Training System. The discussion paper is to consult with stakeholders in the vocational education and training system across Australia on the:

• most effective governance relationships within the national training system and
• appropriate areas of change to current governance arrangements for further development of the national training system to ensure its smooth operation and an effective national response to the development of a highly skilled workforce.

The priority is to find the most effective manner to marry state and national objectives where current arrangements consist of an array of advisory and regulatory bodies (with potentially outdated functions) with makes current arrangements congested. It also emphasises the importance of an industry driven system. To download the paper, please go to: http://www.skillsaustralia.gov.au/Skills_Australia_public_papers.htm.

NARA launched

On 10 September, Julia Gillard launched the National Audit and Registration Agency (NARA), as part of the reform of the vocational education and training (VET) system. This means there is now a single national body for auditing and registering training providers so that providers operating across two or more states only have to deal with one registration body. According to Gillard it will reduce bureaucracy for providers, help ensure greater national consistency and standards, and make the training system more flexible and transparent for providers, industry and students. South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT have already delegated their regulatory functions to the agency. To read Gillard’s media release please go to:

http://mediacentre.dewr.gov.au/mediacentre/Gillard/Releases/AddresstotheNationalAuditandRegistrationAgencyBreakfast.htm.

Government supporting Fast-Track Apprenticeships

Studies and trials have shown that reducing the time it takes to complete an apprenticeship is more likely to keep apprentices engaged in training and reduce drop-out rates. The Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is offering up to $50,000 funding for registered training organisations (RTOs) to develop and implement ‘Fast-Track Apprenticeships’. 

Applicants need to address:

• how proposed activities will reduce the completion time of an apprenticeship (not just off-the-job components), and still meet the high-quality demands of industry, employers and apprentices
• how they will work with industry and local employers to ‘fast-track’ apprenticeships
• how they will consider skill shortages within regions as well as industry demand.

DEEWR is also calling for applications from lead organisations who have been operating an effective, nationally recognised fast-track model for at least five years to broker Fast-Track Apprenticeship models. These organisations should have demonstrated broad development, promotion and implementation of this model with industry on a regional and/or national level. For more information on Fast-Track Apprenticeships and grant funding options please go to: http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/RTO/Fast_track.asp.

Apprentices and trainees – March quarter

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has released their latest apprenticeship and traineeship statistics. There were 425 800 apprentices and trainees in-training as at 31 March 2008, an increase of 2% from the previous year. Of these:

• 204 700 (48%) were in trades
• 221 100 (52%) were in non-trades

 In the 12 months to 31 March 2008 (compared with the previous year):

• commencements increased by 5%, to 280,700
• completions increased by 2%, to 145,800
• cancellations and withdrawals increased by 6%, to 135,400.

VET providing pathways to employment

A report produced by the Australian Council of Education Research (ACER) shows that school leavers who participate in VET are more likely to find employment. It showed that by the age of 23, 75% of participants in the study who had undertaken non-apprenticeship VET programs were in full-time employment. This compares to 69% of those who had not undertaken any post-school study. Participants who had undertaken apprenticeship courses had 91% employment rate and 81% for traineeships. For more information please see:

http://mediacentre.dewr.gov.au/mediacentre/Gillard/Releases/VETprovidespathwaystowork.htm.

Latest from the NCVER

Here are summaries of some of the reports released recently by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.

Approaches to measuring and understanding employer training expenditure explores ways in which information on employer expenditure has been gathered and how it could be improved.

Vocational education and training providers in competitive training markets explores the experiences and initiatives of VET providers in three areas: income sources and mixes, ‘thin markets’ in VET, and research and development.

Creating place: design education as vocational education and training researched the views of design educators working within VET. It found that there is a call for a review of design education teaching methods in the VET context, particularly in promoting innovation and creativity in diploma level programs.

Cross-cultural training and workplace performance confirms the value of cross-cultural training in developing the cultural competence needed by employees to work effectively with culturally diverse co-workers and customers.

Has employer satisfaction with vocational education and training changed between 2005 and 2007? Investigates the large differences in employer satisfaction with VET over five years.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/lastquarter.html.

States in brief

Queensland has released the Queensland Skills Plan 2008 outlining measures for alleviating the state’s skill shortages. To access the plan go to: http://www.trainandemploy.qld.gov.au/client/about_us/skillsplan/background/index.html.

Victoria is shaking up its VET system with $316 million in new funding to create over 170,000 new training places, upgrade TAFE facilities and deliver more flexibility. To view fact sheets on the reforms please go to: http://www.skills.vic.gov.au/corporate/directions/skillsreform.

Skills Tasmania has released a report into skill shortages in the state. It projects highest growth in employment to be in education, property and business services, and health and community services. The report is available from the right hand side bar of the Skills Tasmania website: http://www.skills.tas.gov.au/.

New South Wales is focusing on sustainability with its 2008-2010 ‘Green Skills’ strategy. To view the report please go to: https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/industryprograms/green_skills/greenskills.htm.

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New Release BSB07 Level 4

This month, Aspire Learning Resources will release our eagerly awaited BSB07 Certificate IV resources. From the end of November, 24 workbooks addressing the Certificate IV in Business, Certificate IV in Business Administration and Certificate IV in Frontline Management qualifications will be available for purchase. 

Keep up to date with the latest information about the BSB07 Level 4 development by visiting our Coming Soon page, for samples and other useful information. There is also a brochure and order form that you can download, to pre-order.

BSB40207 Certificate IV in Business
Requires 10 units (one core and nine electives)

We are releasing 14 workbooks to match the qualification. A further two units relevant for this qualification are also available, having been developed for Level 3 qualifications.

We will be offering a range of ways to purchase the Certificate IV in Business:

• Certificate IV in Business Pack (10 pre-packed workbooks) $155.00
  BSBOHS407A Monitor a safe workplace
  BSBADM409A Coordinate business resources
  BSBCUS401A Coordinate implementation of customer service strategies
  BSBITS401A Maintain business technology
  BSBLED401A Develop teams and individuals
  BSBMKG413A Promote products and services
  BSBMKG414A Undertake marketing activities
  BSBPMG510A Manage projects
  BSBREL401A Establish networks
  BSBRSK401A Identify risk and apply risk management processes
• Certificate IV in Business Tailored Pack (select 10 different workbooks of your choice) $175.00
• Individual workbooks 1–9 $29.95 each; 10+ $25.00 each

BSB40507 Certificate IV in Business Administration
Requires 10 units (5 administration units and five general electives).

Aspire is releasing 16 workbooks, plus two relevant Level 3 units.

Again there are a number of different ways you can purchase the Certificate IV in Business Administration resources:

• Certificate IV in Business Administration Pack (10 pre-packed workbooks) $155.00
  BSBADM405B Organise meetings
  BSBADM406B Organise business travel
  BSBADM407B Administer projects
  BSBADM409A Coordinate business resources
  BSBCUS401A Coordinate implementation of customer service strategies
  BSBFIA401A Prepare financial reports
  BSBINM401A Implement workplace information system
  BSBOHS407A Monitor a safe workplace
  BSBRSK401A Identify risk and apply risk management processes
  BSBWRT401A Write complex documents
• Certificate IV in Business Administration Tailored Pack (select 10 different workbooks of your choice) $175.00
• Individual workbooks 1–9 $29.95 each; 10+ $25.00 each

BSB40807 Certificate IV in Frontline Management
Requires 10 units (four core units and six electives).

We are releasing 18 workbooks, plus one Level 3 unit.

The purchasing options for the Certificate IV in Frontline Management are:

• Certificate IV in Frontline Management Pack (10 pre-packed workbooks) $155.00
  BSBCUS401A Coordinate implementation of customer service strategies
  BSBMGT401A Show leadership in the workplace
  BSBMGT402A Implement operational plan
  BSBMKG413A Promote products and services
  BSBOHS407A Monitor a safe workplace
  BSBPMG510A Manage projects
  BSBREL401A Establish networks
  BSBRSK401A Identify risk and apply risk management processes
  BSBWOR402A Promote team effectiveness
  BSBWOR404A Develop work priorities
• Certificate IV in Frontline Management Tailored Pack (select 10 different workbooks of your choice) $175.00
• Individual workbooks 1–9 $29.95 each; 10+ $25.00 each

So you can see for each qualification we are covering, there will be plenty of flexibility and choice of workbooks. For a full list of all the Certificate IV workbooks that will be released, please visit our website’s Coming Soon page

Certificate IV in Business Trainer’s Guide CD-ROM
The trainer’s guide CD-ROM supports the trainer and provides an overview of each competency standard, information on the employability skills, lesson plans and assessment strategies and techniques. There are checklists to help assessors and trainers track progress and accurately record assessments undertaken. There are also solutions to the assessment activities and final assessments in the workbooks, along with an additional final assessment for each unit of competency.

The Certificate IV in Business Trainer’s Guide ($150.00 each) addresses 26 units and is suitable for delivering each of the Certificate IV in Business, Certificate IV in Business Administration and Certificate IV in Frontline Management.

Customising and licensing options are also available for all our Certificate IV resources. Please contact our sales consultants on 1300 134 099 for details and quotes.

Please note all prices are GST inclusive and subject to change without notice.

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Aspire Foundation Grantees

As a not-for-profit organisation, Aspire recognises the importance of contributing to the community. Not everyone has equal opportunities to education and through funding from the Aspire Foundation, charitable organisations are able to run structured programs enabling disadvantaged individuals improved access to vocational education. In a recent board meeting the Foundation grantees for 2008/09 were decided. In this financial year Aspire’s Foundation partners are: Kids Under Cover, Ardoch Youth Foundation, TAFE SA, Rockdale Community Services Inc and Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Project. We are very proud of the work of our Foundation, so continue reading to find out more about the programs the Aspire Foundation is supporting.

The Aspire Foundation is continuing its association with Kids Under Cover, Ardoch Youth Foundation and TAFE SA through the Foundation Scholarship Fund. This fund is used for course fees and associated material costs.

Kids Under Cover works to fight youth homelessness by raising funds to construct purpose-built houses and demountable bungalows to keep families together. The Aspire Foundation will help young people between 15 and 24 years access TAFE courses, supported by a mentoring program, to improve communication skills and career pathways.

Ardoch Youth Foundation facilitates projects to keep young people in school who are facing issues such as homelessness, poverty, family breakdown, and drug or alcohol abuse. The Aspire Foundation will provide funds to help these disadvantaged individuals access TAFE courses.

Congratulations to the four recipients of the Aspire Foundation Scholarship who are pursuing their Certificate III in Business Administration at Port Adelaide campus of TAFE SA. One of grantees travels 400 km a week to attend TAFE classes between working part-time on the Yorke Peninsula. We look forward to the scholarship award ceremony in November where scholarship grantees will be provided with Aspire Foundation certificates.

We are excited to begin a new partnership this year with Rockdale Community Service Inc in NSW. Rockdale provides a range of valuable services in the local community which contains a high percentage of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and indigenous backgrounds. Vision, Foundation, Pathways is a three stage program designed to lift employment rates and break poverty cycles, as well as building knowledge of the VET system amongst groups most in need.

In Stage 1, participants will assess their current skills, develop a CV, find out about careers of interest and set goals for the future. Stage 2 invites participants to one to three free training courses in areas such as community services and health, business administration, food service and trade and retail services. These will result in Nationally Recognised Statements of Attainment. Stage 3 encourages participants to follow pathways by assisting them in determining their preferred method of training and linking them up with an RTO, along with mentoring and counselling services.

The Aspire Foundation is continuing its support of Hotham Mission which provides housing and emergency financial relief to asylum seekers. This month skills-scoping sessions will be provided to the members of their Men’s and Women’s Groups in order to determine further training options. While the men will be encouraged to upgrade existing skills or undergo training in areas of interest, specially designed training sessions for women in the areas of aged care and hospitality will be conducted.

Remember every dollar you spend with Aspire helps make the Foundation happen! To find out more about the Aspire Foundation, including grant criteria and application forms, please go to http://aspiretraining.com.au/about/aspire-foundation/ or contact our Foundation coordinator, Beata (blukasiak@aspiretraining.com.au).

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Aspire gets active for Wellness Month

Have you found yourself decaying away spending every day in front of a computer in the office? Every year Aspire runs Wellness month to promote healthy living and work-life balance. From fruit baskets to scrambling up walls, this year’s Wellness month was action-packed with Aspire employees participating in a wide range of physical and mental activities. Read on to find out more about the thrills and spills.

Wellness month is part of Aspire’s human resource policy to ensure our employees stay healthy and productive. During October, each Monday morning we were greeted with a fruit basket in the Aspire lunchroom. This often did not last long with our employees taking full advantage of these healthy snacks.

Wellness month also gave us an opportunity to try out some activities we may never have done before. For some of our employees this was rock climbing. A group of Aspire thrill seekers spent a Thursday afternoon at Hardrock indoor rock climbing , on Swanston St. With the high walls towering over us and the views of city skyscrapers as a backdrop, it is not surprising there were a few sweaty palms in the room. This was not helped by the mentions made by our safety instructor of dangling upside down. (for the record one should always tighten their waist strap firmly to avoid falling out of the harness in case of such an unfortunate turn of events).

Consider it a corporate trust building exercise when you have to choose a partner to hold your life in their hands! After safety training on the baby walls it was time to tackle three- storey high walls. Some of us had races; some of us nearly lost our head with out-of-control colleagues swinging out from the wall; some of us demonstrated our spiderman abilities; while some of us just tried to make it up the wall any way we could. But everyone had fun.

A more gentle option to the dizzying heights of rock climbing, was the Botanical Gardens nature walk. A handful of Aspire employees gained a new wealth of knowledge of native flora–which I’m sure will come in handy at any social occasion.

Yoga has existed in Hindu cultures since prehistoric times and has been enthusiastically adopted by Western cultures for, amongst other things, stress relief. Yoga is about the harmony of mind, body and soul, by stretching, twisting and balancing your body in a series of poses. Aspire took it to the next level participating in a lunchtime ‘yogalates’ session. No, unfortunately this does not involve drinking lattes while doing yoga; rather it is a combination of yoga and pilates. The session concluded with relaxation breathing exercises leaving everyone sitting on their mats in contentment for some time after we had finished. In fact yogalates was such a success that a group of Aspire employees are continuing with weekly yoga sessions until Christmas.

A new addition to this year’s Wellness month was Aspire’s inaugural Frisbee Golf Tournament. What is frisbee golf you may ask? Basically it follows the principles of golf using a frisbee instead of a ball and club. Our FG course used a number of natural features as ‘holes’ including trees, lampposts, grates, and park benches. The FG bug bit the office seeing more than half of our employees participating in the event. Some lunch goers even found themselves moving targets for wayward frisbees coming at them from all directions. One kindly gentleman got more than he bargained for when he tried to pick up Rebecca’s frisbee for her and was yelled at for his chivalrous efforts: ‘No leave it! I have to take my next shot from there!’

Congratulations to our new sales manager, Bronwyn, for taking out the tournament with a sterling two under par round of 28. A special mention must go to our favourite formatter Luke, for shooting a hole in one (or tree in one) on the eighth!

Other wellness month activities included lunchtime walks around the park, an evening hit of tennis, a friendly game of soccer and an in-office shoulder massage from our good friend Patrick from NRG. We are already counting down the days to Wellness month 2009!

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