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1. ONLINE JOB ADS DECREASE IN JULY 2022
The National Skills Commission (NSC) released the latest data on job advertisements on 10 August 2022, reporting that job ads decreased in July. It is the first recorded monthly decline in 2022.
Job advertisements measured using the Internet Vacancy Index (IVI), a monthly count by the NSC of online job advertisements. The news post states, “It follows six consecutive monthly increases from January 2022 to June 2022. In seasonally adjusted terms, job advertisements decreased by 3.8% (or 11,200) in July 2022 to stand at 288,500.
Recruitment activity decreased across all states and territories during July 2022. The sharpest decline was recorded in the Northern Territory, where recruitment activity fell by 8.2% (or 260 job ads), followed by Victoria (down by 7.8% or 6,200 job ads) and the Australian Capital Territory (down by 6.0% or 490 job ads). The smallest decline in job advertisements was recorded in South Australia (down by 0.8% or 120 job ads).
Despite the fall in July 2022, there has been strong growth in recruitment activity in the last twelve months, with job advertisements 24.5% (or 56,700 job ads) higher than July 2021.
In comparison to levels of recruitment activity observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, online job advertisements are up by 71.4% (120,200 job ads). This growth is reflected across all jurisdictions, with increases ranging from 31.2% (1,800 job ads) in the ACT to 139.8% (2,500 job ads) in Tasmania.
The detailed release of the IVI, including occupational, regional and skill level data, will be available on Wednesday 24 August 2022.
2. COMPLETION RATES OF APPRENTICES & TRAINEES COMMENCED IN 2017 DECREASE
NCVER has released the latest data on the completion rate for apprentices and trainees who commenced training in 2017.
The Media Release of 11 August 2022 states, “The individual completion rate for apprentices and trainees who commenced training in 2017 decreased to 55.7%, down by 1.2 percentage points from those commencing in 2016.
Completion and attrition rates for apprentices and trainees 2021 reports on the completion rates for both individuals and training contracts that started in 2017, the latest year for which observed actual rates are available for all occupations.
- 55.7% for all occupations, down 1.2 percentage points from those commencing in 2016
- 54.0% for trade occupations, down 3.0 percentage points from those commencing in 2016
- 56.9% for non-trade occupations, up 0.3 percentage points from those commencing in 2016.
An individual may complete their training under more than one contract if they change employers or take a break from their training.
Observed actual contract completion rates for apprentices and trainees commencing in 2017 were:
- 48.1% for all occupations, down 0.9 percentage points from those commencing in 2016
- 42.0% for trade occupations, down 1.9 percentage points from those commencing in 2016
- 54.2% for non-trade occupations, up 0.3 percentage points from those commencing in 2016.
Completion and attrition rates for apprentices and trainees 2021 tracks the apprentice and trainee outcomes from when they started their training through to December 2021.
3. FOCUS ON WOMEN IN MAE RIVERINA SHOWCASE DAY
The Agrifood and Electrotechnology ITAB’s will host FREE showcase days for Manufacturing, Agrifood and Electrotechnology (MAE) industries in partnership with Casella’s Family brands.
An exclusive event for female participants aged 16-64, careers advisors & influencers.
Held in the Riverina (Yenda) in industry, attendees will have the opportunity to:
- meet and talk with female industry leaders
- gain hands-on experience
- access the latest career information
- ask questions and have them answered by industry experts
- register and reserve a place for obligation free opportunities to do work experience with local MAE industries
- free networking lunch
Showcase day participants numbers are limited and registrations are essential.
WHEN: Wednesday, 31 August 2022, 9:30 am to 2.00pm
REGISTER CLOSES 24 AUGUST 2022 FOR THIS FREE AND EXCITING EVENT
For more information contact Melissa by email mae@agrifooditab.com.au or call 0421830056; or visit the agrifooditab website
4. NATIONAL SKILLS WEEK 2022 (22-28 AUGUST)
National Skills Week will be held 22-28 August. The week is dedicated to raising the profile and status of vocational learning dispelling outdated myths and showcasing the attractive career opportunities for all Australians.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) has been the foundation of Australia’s strong and vibrant economy. It has produced industry leaders, it offers great diversity, new and exciting career paths, supports our resources and primary industries, builds our cities, supports our tourism, our monuments, our heritage and much, much more.
This year’s theme is A Universe of Skills: Go Beyond Your Imagination
Now moving into its twelfth year, National Skills Week will again set out to bring to life the positive messages, highlighting the talents, the skills, the career pathways and the value of apprentices and trainees across Australia to the wider public and employers. The week is dedicated to raising the status of practical and vocational learning.
This week-long event is dedicated to raising the profile and status of vocational learning, dispelling outdated myths and raising awareness of the myriad rewarding, lucrative and prestigious careers available. …
To get involved, you can register your event on the National Skills Week website so others can attend. You can showcase your organisation or industry by championing the career paths and opportunities available through vocational education and training. You can engage with your local school or training organisation to hold an event to promote vocational education through pathways, apprenticeships, traineeships, school-based programs and share inspiring stories. You can even get the media involved in your event.
Email info@nationalskillsweek.com.au for ideas and resources that may help you or you can conduct a social media campaign during the week to highlight skills and training in your organisation and profile your people. Check out Facebook and Instagram #nationalskillsweek for more ideas.”
5. RESOURCES SECTOR URGED TO PLAN FOR WORKFORCE AND SKILLS
In a 11 August 2022 Media Release, issued by the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, The Hon Madeleine King MP, who hosted a roundtable on jobs and skills in the mining sector, urged the industry to do more to encourage women to have careers in the resources sector.
The Medial Release stated, “Minister King heard from industry about what they are doing to invest in, develop and attract skilled workers so the industry can sustain its crucial role supporting the Australian economy.
Minister King used the roundtable in Brisbane to outline some of the workforce challenges facing the sector, and to hear how the government can support the industry to tackle the issues.
Minister King said the resources sector employs more than 270,000 men and women and accounted for 10 per cent of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product. Resources and energy export earnings reached a new record of $414 billion in the past financial year.
…
“This challenge is already here. Industry must find a way to attract the next generation of mining workers in order to continue flourishing.”
Minister King said one way to increase skills supply is to employ more women in the sector. Latest data shows around 52,000 women are employed in the resources sector.
Minister King said the Enough is Enough report into sexual harassment in Western Australia’s mining industry was an important wake-up call for the sector and underlined the need for more inclusive workplaces for women in the industry. …”
6. APPLY WHS CERT 4 SCHOLARSHIP WITH TAFE NSW
TAFE NSW advises that it has just launched a Certificate 4 in WHS scholarship program funded by a local company S & L Steel. This course is completed virtually and is only open to NSW existing worker residents that currently work in the WHS space within their workplace.
This is a great initiative as it is at no cost and will be delivered of a night via MS teams.
The aim of the S&L Steel Work and Safety Scholarship is to build a greater Work Health and Safety competence across the community in NSW, particularly in Western Sydney and to invest in the future of Work Health and Safety leaders.
There are 26 scholarships available to eligible Applicants who are currently working in a supervisory role in a WHS context and want to pursue their education at TAFE NSW.
Each awarded scholarship has a total value of up to $1,850 which is to be used against applicable Course fees.
The Scholarship amount is not transferable or redeemable for cash.
Applications close: 5pm Friday 16 September 2022
Eligibility and selection requirements apply and are available for review at the landing page below.
FIND OUT MORE HERE AND HOW TO APPLY
7. ELECTRICAL INCIDENTS AND PROSECUTIONS
The July-August edition of Power Logic News provides a summary report of the latest electrical incidents and prosecutions since the last newsletter. They cover NSW, Victoria and New Zealand.
The report states, “Employers and workers are encouraged to ensure all legal requirements and controls are in place when carrying out work to prevent heartache, loss of production, fines, etc.
NSW – WorkSafe NSW warns of an electrician dying under a house when carrying out electrical work – contact was made with a live wire. An electrical apprentice was also electrocuted in the roof space of a detached garage of a residential property.
VIC – elder woman received burns to her hands and feet after a house fire was initiated from an electric blanket fire.
VIC – EnergySafe Victoria advises of 58 powerline related incidents in the first two months of 2022. One of these was a fatality where a man was trimming a tree in the front yard of a property. There were also 214 incidents in 2021 – 141 related to overhead lines and 73 to underground.”
8. TRADESMAN PROSECUTED FOR UNLICENSED ELECTRICAL WORK
Sean Carroll, Editor at Electrical Connection reports in the 12 August 2022 edition of a Perth Magistrates Court finning a man for passing of as a licensed electrical contractor.
The article states, “At Perth Magistrates Court last month, the man was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay $1,224.80 in costs after pleading guilty to five charges under WA’s Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991.
The man, who is not named because the court granted a spent conviction, has never held an electrical contractor’s licence. The court was advised that the man issued three invoices to commercial premises in 2020 for electrical installing work while holding himself out to be a licensed electrical contractor.
The other charges relate to the man’s unauthorised signing of two electrical safety certificates using the licence number of another WA electrical contractor.”
9. QLD ISSUES DISCIPLINARY NOTICES TO SIX ELECTRICAL WORKERS
In addition to the electrical incidents reported above, the Queensland electrical regulator’s Electrical Licensing Committee as reported in eSafe Electrical bulletin of 15 Aug 2022, took disciplinary action against six licence holders in July.
The first, an electrical worker, failed to adequately supervise a worker on-site and isolate, lock out and tag out. This resulted in work being carried out on incorrectly de-energised equipment and the worker received an electric shock.
The second, failed to complete all mandatory testing and a missing MEN was not identified, resulting in a person receiving an electric shock.
The third, failed to complete all mandatory testing and an open neutral was not identified, causing a person to receive an electric shock.
The fourth, an electrical contractor, failed to implement safe systems of work and procedures. … As a result, an open neutral was not identified, and the resident received an electric shock.
READ MORE ABOUT EACH AND MORE, HERE
10. NECA’S INDUSTRY NIGHTS SPARK INDUSTRY ADVANCEMENT
Editor of Electrical Connection, Sean Carroll, reports in the 12 August 2022 News Update, that NECA will be conducting Industry Nights across Sydney.
The article states, “Over the coming weeks, the National Electrical and Communications Association’s (NECA’s) 2022 Industry Night Series will be hosted at locations across Sydney, including Chullora, Sans Souci, Penrith, Dee Why and Castle Hill.
These events are essential as NSW accelerates the electrification of its infrastructure and critical economy-saving post-COVID developments. NECA’s Industry night brings together local sparkies and some of NSW’s essential departments and agencies.
Sparkies’ advanced trade requires, local electricians to remain at the forefront of regulation and safety. Events like this provide rare opportunities for sparkies to meet with NSW Fair Trading, SafeWork NSW, Training NSW, Ausgrid and NECA specialists.
At these events, industry experts will discuss the electrification of NSW, the latest regulatory, compliance and safety changes, and developments to the electrical grid. From cross-border Automatic Mutual Recognition to new standalone solar system regulations, the industry nights aim to ensure sparkies remain at the forefront of the latest safety and compliance updates.
“Connecting with local electrical contractors is an essential part of our mission. Industry nights like these allow us to connect with our members, provide safety updates, and ensure they know of significant regulatory and compliance updates,” NECA chief executive Oliver Judd says.”
LEARN MORE INCLUDING HOW TO REGISTER HERE
11. CONCERTED PUSH FOR HIGHER NCC 2022 STANDARDS
Mark Vender, reporter at HVAC&R News reports in the 12 August 2022 edition, that “More than 100 organisations have signed a joint statement supporting the lifting of energy standards in the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC).
The document has been sent to federal and state and territory ministers ahead of a meeting in late August, where it is expected a final decision will be made on raising minimum energy efficiency standards for new buildings and major renovations from 6 to 7 NatHERS stars, and on introducing a whole-of home energy budget for fixed appliances, including those used for heating and cooling.
The signatories include ASBEC, the GBCA, the Property Council of Australia, the Energy Efficiency Council and AIRAH, as well as a host of other organisations across the consumer, social services, tenancy, energy, environment, health, construction and housing sectors.
“It has been over a decade since Australia meaningfully increased the minimum energy efficiency requirements for new homes in the National Construction Code,” reads the statement.”
12. TRAINING UPDATE FOR RAC TRADE
Editor, Sandra Rossi reports in the 10 August 2022 edition of Climate Control News (CCN), that a seminar to be delivered at the forthcoming Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Building Services (ARBS) 2022 Exhibition will provide participants with information that will help them understand the national training system and where the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) industry fits in.
The article states, “It will focus on the main changes in the recently revised RAC qualifications, skills sets, and competences contained in the national UEE Electrotechnology Training Package.
The new package covers the latest refrigerants, standards and technologies.
A panel of experts will present this session including Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Contractors Association (RACCA) president, Kevin O’Shea, Superior Training Centre education manager, Steve Smith, Holmesglen Institute mechanical services teacher, Robert Woolley, lead RAC teacher from the Canberra Institute of Technology, Paul Wright and Australian Refrigeration Council training manager, Noel Munkman.”
Coming up to 24 years and 12 exhibitions, ARBS is Australia’s only dedicated HVAC&R and building services trade exhibition supporting the built environment. The event is being held in Melbourne 16-18 August 2022. It has grown in size and stature and become one of Australia’s most respected business events on the trade show calendar. It features an outstanding line-up of national, multi-national and international manufacturers, distributors and agents ARBS regularly hosts over 250 exhibitors and welcomes in excess of 7,000 attendees. Additional attractions include the holding of informative ARBS Seminar Program sessions.
13. HOUSE OF THE (EARTH POTENTIAL) RISING RUN
Sean Carroll writes in the 9 August 2022 edition of Electrical Connection about how the Power-over-Ethernet or PoE is one of the more exciting electrical technologies today, but the heightened electrical load means Standards must adapt and change.
The article states, “PoE is data and power over a single twisted pair cable, either Category 5e, 6 or 6A. It lets network cables carry electrical power, cutting down the number of connections required. PoE brings several advantages to residential and commercial installations, including time and cost savings, flexibility, safety, reliability and scalability.
But despite the benefits of using PoE, combining both cables has led to more power being sent through fewer solutions, and the associated standards look like they also need an upgrade.
“With the increased use of PoE and as business clients try to reduce cost factors, there is a level of difficulty that clients will face in understanding the risks to buildings from heat rise, arcing and electrical shock safety for their workers and for the industry,” Australian Digital and Telecommunication Industry Association (ADITA) secretary Dominic Schipano writes.
Dominic has written on the topic for the ADITA in the past. He adds that there are technical reviews in light of the PoE demands on the Internet of Things and 5G, but any changes to technical standards now being drafted could remove some limits on current and voltage, exposing telecommunications workers, and possibly even users, to the risks of heating and underperformance.
As of July 2020, a proposal to change AS/NZS 3835 Earth potential rise – protection of telecommunications network users, personnel and plant was submitted to Standards Australia. It highlights the fact that this Standard hasn’t changed in 15 years and, even before adding in PoE, needed to be revised.
Given how much the telecommunications industry has changed since this Standard’s last revision, the industry needs to review how incoming technologies like PoE, NBN and networked substations, among others, have impacted the electrical industry.”
14. LEARNING MOMENT – CHALLENGE CIRCUIT 9 MANDATORY TESTS
In this series Husnen Rupani, CEO and Learning and Technical Consultant at Infinispark explores mandatory testing, the learners must start with the local state/territory regulation and the wiring rules.
AS/NZS 3000:2018 details the rules around Testing in Section 8, clause 8.3.
Infinispark has put together a short quiz. The quiz asks basic questions to get a new learner started with the wiring rules, especially the part of the mandatory tests, so they will need to refer to the standards to answer them.
One of the questions also refers to another standard mentioned in the AS/NZS 3000 that provides more details about how to conduct the tests. Let’s see if they can find it.
Challenge Circuit 9: Mandatory Tests
If you feel this quiz could be helpful for your students, please feel free to use them in your classes.
Following release of the quiz, Husnen received an email from Tony Robins, informing him about Amendment 2 of the AS/NZS 3000:2018 and how the mandatory tests list has changed slightly. Tony also, mentioned how some learners confuse the Wiring Rules book with the Reg book. He explained how the Reg book in Victorian context, just like all states and territories is the Regulations, which mandates the AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules, and which should be observed foremost.
During the exchange of communication Tony also pointed out, that in Amendment 2, Polarity and Correct Circuit Connections have been consolidated, but there is another test that is required by the Regulations at the Consumers Mains.
Husnen requested Tony to write a guest post on the Infinispark website about the Victorian context. Tony wrote the post, and it is now available at the following link below:
The Wiring Rules VS The Reg Book
15. ENDEAVOUR COAL FINED FOR WHS BREACH
The NSW Resources Regulator in its 11 August 2022 Mine Safety News reported that District Court of NSW fined Endeavour Coal Pty Limited (ECPL) $400,000- for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act).
The article states, “On 3 August 2022 the District Court of NSW fined Endeavour Coal Pty Limited (ECPL) $400,000- for breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act). The fine was reduced 25% to $300,000 to reflect the early plea of guilty.
The conviction relates to an incident on 8 June 2019 when a worker suffered serious and permanent injuries to his toes and foot after becoming entangled in a scraper conveyor at Appin North mine.
ECPL was convicted for failing to ensure the health and safety of workers when it exposed them to the risk of serious injury or death, as a result of a body part coming in contact with dangerous moving parts of an energised scraper conveyor.
The Regulator’s investigation report into the incident can be found here.
16. SAFEWORK NSW – MODULE 1 – CRYSTALLINE SILICA IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
SafeWork NSW is offering a free online workshop to help supervisors better understand how to manage Work Health and Safety (WHS) in the building and construction industry.
It is part of the Construction Site Supervisor workshops collection, which currently includes 6 topics of two-hour sessions. The catalogue of topics will continue to grow both proactively and in response to emerging issues. See all six topic areas HERE.
The Module 1 – Crystalline Silica in the Construction Industry workshop will develop your skills, so that you:
- understand which products contain Crystalline silica in the workplace
- understand how crystalline silica can harm workers
- understand how to protect yourself and workers from exposure to Crystalline silica
- understand the health monitoring and notification requirements
This workshop is designed for people who:
- anyone who is employed as a supervisor
- anyone who formally or informally supervises less experienced workers
Participation in these workshops may contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) subject to criteria set by Fair Trading NSW.
WHEN: Wednesday, 31 August 2022 at 10:00 am
17. SOLAR’S CHINA SYNDROME?
EnergyInsider, a joint publication of Energy Networks Australia (ENA) and the Australian Energy Council (AEC) in its 11 August 2022 edition, considered a recent report released by the International Energy Agency, which highlights the dominant role of China in the world’s solar supply chain and its implications for the global energy transition.
The article states, “The transition underway in the global energy market will not be immune from this dominance. The IEA estimates one out of every seven panels produced internationally now comes from a single manufacturing site in China. As we have seen recently with Russia’s gas supplies, a supply chain dependency can be extremely disruptive.
Solar PV is an important technology in the energy transition internationally. It has also played a critical role in Australia’s transition and as a result we now have more than 3 million homes with solar installations on their rooftops as well as a growing number of solar farms connected to the grid.
The IEA’s Special Report on Solar PV Global Supply Chains illustrates how central the role of China has become in expanding solar installations worldwide. More than 80 per cent of all manufacturing stages of solar panels, which includes polysilicon, ingots, wafers, cells and modules, now occurs in China’s factories and its share of polysilicon, ingots and wafer production could soon hit 95 per cent based on the manufacturing capacity it is putting in place.
China is also home to the world’s top 10 suppliers of PV manufacturing equipment. Those kinds of economies of scale have been a key reason for the dramatic fall in the cost of solar technology (by more than three quarters in the last decade, see figure 1), but the geographic concentration of a critical supply chain also brings with it challenges that governments will need to consider.”
Global PV manufacturing capacity, demand
and average module selling price, 2010- 2022
For more, contact Australian Energy Council