- AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY AND SKILLS COMMITTEE: ACHIEVEMENTS AT A GLANCE
- ASQA UPDATE – DELIVERING ON OUR REFORMS TO REGULATORY CULTURE AND PRACTICE
- NSW DEPT OF EDUCATION RELEASES PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS ON FEE-FREE AND LOW-FEE JOBTRAINER COURSES
- 2021 NSW TRAINING AWARDS CLOSE IN SIX DAYS!!
- INVITATION TO NSW WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS CEREMONY
- REGISTER NOW FOR ESI TRANSMISSION DISTRIBUTION & RAIL INDUSTRY SKILLS WEBINAR
- REGISTER NOW FOR ESI GENERATION INDUSTRY SKILLS WEBINAR
- ARC FLASH INCIDENT
- STATEWIDE BLITZ ON ELECTRICITY RISKS AT LARGE QUARRIES
- IMPROVING VENTILATION IN INDOOR WORKPLACES – COVID-19
- MAPPING THE MINE FACE WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
- HOW DOES ELECTRICITY GET TO YOU AND WHAT ROLE DOES TRANSMISSION PLAY?
1. AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY AND SKILLS COMMITTEE: ACHIEVEMENTS AT A GLANCE
The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) has provided a brief snapshot of the work it has undertaken “to date (as at January 2021) to ensure training package products are current and the national training system is decluttered to reduce its complexity for employers and students.” It has patted itself on the back by claiming it has ensured Training Package products are current albeit they may have technical defects, as reported previously in the News Service with respect to several Utilities and Electrotechnology Training Packages. Nonetheless, it showcases that it has demonstrated a milestone achievement in throughput (a very important subjective measure) in 2020 with over 30 Training Packages recommended to Skills Ministers for Endorsement by the AISC comparted to 15 in 2019.
It also prides itself in reducing the number of Training Packages from 77 in November 2015 to 56 in 2021, on the notion that the reduced number will somehow help students and employers navigate the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. The rational for such claims is questionable however, the data does reflect a considerable amount of effort and busyness, see infographic bellow:
For more information visit: https://www.aisc.net.au/
2. ASQA UPDATE – DELIVERING ON OUR REFORMS TO REGULATORY CULTURE AND PRACTICE
ASQA reports in its recent newsletter that April 2021 “marks some significant milestones in the ASQA journey”. It highlights the following changes:
- “Revisions to our assessment methodology – to provide for a better understanding of sector performance and a greater focus on self-assurance and continuous improvement in training outcomes.
- Establishing new teams to more clearly distinguish the work involved in monitoring provider performance (Quality Assessors) from the work to determine our regulatory response when non-compliance is identified (Compliance Officers).
- Providing for more proportionate responses in managing non-compliance through introduction of an agreement to rectify with opportunities for providers to address non-compliance in a more systemic and sustainable way.
- Introduction of the Internal Review team to provide earlier opportunities to resolve disputed decisions.
- Implementing legislative changes that see us publishing more information, more efficiently, about our decisions (from March 2021).”
With respect to the last dot point ASQA states, “Changes to the publication of regulatory decision information:
The way our regulatory decisions are recorded, reported and published have now changed to comply with new legislative requirements. The National Register (training.gov.au) now displays the status of decisions (which will be updated throughout review processes), overview information, decision details, a history of events associated with the decision, as well as related decisions. Providers will also see some changes to their asqanet portal information.
Providers are encouraged to review their information on the National Register and update any necessary details in asqanet, or contact our Info Line at enquiries@asqa.gov.au.”
As available is the asqaconnect portal, that provides, “our community space for information regarding training provider related issues and making a complaint to ASQA regarding a training provider”. A range of topics for the type of issues an individual or stakeholder is experiencing with a training provider can be reviewed and options advised as to a course of action.
3. NSW DEPT OF EDUCATION RELEASES PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS ON FEE-FREE AND LOW-FEE JOBTRAINER COURSES
The NSW Department of Education has recently released a series of new promotional videos for career aspirants to explore and discover. These fee-free and low-fee Jobtrainer courses can lead career aspirants to rewarding careers in vocational training and education. The following social media sites provide links to four different industry sectors.
Find out more by visiting the links of interest:
Twitter:
| Vocational training and education | https://twitter.com/NSWEducation/status/1358622889210220545?s=20 |
| Digital skills | https://twitter.com/NSWEducation/status/1359653464096333827?s=20 |
| Agriculture | https://twitter.com/NSWEducation/status/1361465369140072451?s=20 |
| Construction | https://twitter.com/NSWEducation/status/1364002144425308160 |
Facebook:
NSW JobTrainer provides fee-free* training courses for young people, job seekers and school leavers to gain skills in Australia’s growing industries. Explore hundreds of qualifications and register your interest today.
Is JobTrainer right for me?
Whether you’re a school leaver on gap year, recently unemployed or upskilling to expand your job prospects, a JobTrainer full or part-qualification is a great way to future-proof your skills, explore new interests and trial in-demand industries.
*Am I eligible?
You may be eligible to enrol in fee-free training through NSW JobTrainer if you are out of work, receiving an income support payment or aged 17–24. Other eligibility criteria may apply. Contact one of our skills brokers on 13 28 11External link to learn more.
Skills Advice Line
The Skills and Employment Hub is a free phone service to assist you in upgrading your skills and training in order to assist with finding employment. Make an online appointment or call 13 77 88External link. Know what skills you are looking for? Explore the full list of courses and training providers below.
Explore more about JobTrainer, by industry by visiting the following link, https://education.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/jobtrainer
4. 2021 NSW TRAINING AWARDS CLOSE IN SIX DAYS!!
Applications for the 2021 NSW Training Awards will close on Sunday, 14 March 2021. The Awards honour and reward the achievements of students, trainers/teachers, training organisations, large and medium employers. Apply before it’s too late!!
Visit the following URL and apply: https://trainingawardsnsw.awardsplatform.com/
Criteria and eligibility requirements for applying for NSW Training Awards: https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/training_awards/how_to_enter.html
5. INVITATION TO NSW WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS CEREMONY
For the first time ever, the NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony will be live streamed. Watch in real time as the 2021 winners are announced!
Award categories this year include:
- Cancer Institute NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year Finalists
- Aware Super NSW Community Hero Finalists
- NSW Regional Woman of the Year Finalists
- NSW Woman of Excellence Finalists
- Harvey Norman NSW Young Woman of the Year Finalists
- The One To Watch Award
Please register now to access the live stream. The 2021 Awards ceremony is on:
- Date: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
- Time: 7.30am – 10.00am
REGISTER NOW TO ACCESS THE LIVE STREAM HERE
6. REGISTER NOW FOR ESI TRANSMISSION DISTRIBUTION & RAIL INDUSTRY SKILLS WEBINAR
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) invites interested stakeholders in the Transmission Distribution and Rail sectors to participate in an Industry Skills 360 webinar. The circular states, “On behalf of the ESI Transmission Distribution and Rail Industry Reference Committee and Australian Industry Standards (AIS), I invite you to be part of our Industry Skills 360 series webinar on 10 March 2021. Register here for the ESI Transmission Distribution and Rail webinar to hear from the Industry Reference Committee about trends and current industry challenges and its role in addressing skills needs, and our skills specialist about proposed changes to support workforce needs.
This session will be facilitated by Paul Walsh, AIS CEO.
AIS is committed to shaping qualifications and skills standards that are fit-for-purpose and deliver the skills industry needs. Visit our Engagement Hub to find out more about our engagement activities.
We would also appreciate it if you could share details about this webinar within your networks to encourage broad participation. To assist, we have included below a draft email for your consideration and circulation.
Once again thank you for your time and we look forward to you joining us at the upcoming webinar.”
Date and Time: Thu, 10 March 2021 – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM AEDT
REGISTER FOR TRANSMISSION DISTRIBUTION & RAIL WEBINAR HERE
AIS Contact: Erin Knudsen, Industry Skills Manager; T: (03) 9604 7242, M: 0418 434 302, E: Erin.Knudsen@aistnds.org.au
7. REGISTER NOW FOR ESI GENERATION INDUSTRY SKILLS WEBINAR
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) invites interested stakeholders in the Generation sector to participate in an Industry Skills 360 webinar. The circular states, “On behalf of the ESI Generation Industry Reference Committee and Australian Industry Standards (AIS), I invite you to be part of our Industry Skills 360 series webinar on 25 March 2021. Register here for the ESI Generation webinar to hear from the Industry Reference Committee about trends and current industry challenges and its role in addressing skills needs, and our skills specialist about proposed changes to support workforce needs.
This session will be facilitated by Paul Walsh, AIS CEO.
AIS is committed to shaping qualifications and skills standards that are fit-for-purpose and deliver the skills industry needs. Visit our Engagement Hub to find out more about our engagement activities.
We would also appreciate it if you could share details about this webinar within your networks to encourage broad participation. To assist, we have included below a draft email for your consideration and circulation.
Once again thank you for your time and we look forward to you joining us at the upcoming webinar.”
Date and Time: Thu, 25 March 2021 – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM AEDT
REGISTER FOR GENERATION WEBINAR HERE
AIS Contact: Andrew Fitisemanu, Industry Skills Manager; T: (03) 9604 7228, M: 0419 658 587, E: andrew.fitisemanu@aistnds.org.au
8. ARC FLASH INCIDENT
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland report in their latest eSafe of an arc flash incident. The article states, “In January 2021, two electrical workers suffered burns following an arc flash. They were working in a switch room with an LV main switchboard.
Initial enquiries indicate electrical work was being done on the switchboard metering when the incident occurred.
The following month, an electrical worker was injured working near energised electrical parts in a switchboard. Early investigations indicate he may have been trying to move cables in the switchboard that stopped the escutcheon panel closing. The tool being used by the worker to move the cables appears to have contacted energised parts causing a short circuit and arc flash.”
It is a timely reminder that are significant safety issues and risk working in and around switchboards due to high fault currents. The eSafe article provides some good advice on the safety issues to consider, ways to manage health and safety and possible control measures to prevent similar incidents.
The Electrical Safety Project website too, at www.esproject.com.au provides good support materials in this regard. Head to the Safe Work Procedures (SWPs) section in the Menu and click on Electrical Tasks and explore the Arc Flash Calculator, the SIESN Resources and/or download the ARC FLASH SWP.
9. STATEWIDE BLITZ ON ELECTRICITY RISKS AT LARGE QUARRIES
The NSW Resource Regulator as announced via its Mine Safety News (4 Mar 2021) that it will undertake a statewide blitz on electricity risks at large quarries.
The article states, “As announced this week our inspectors will start visiting several quarries throughout the state over the next couple of weeks as part of a targeted intervention program to examine how operators are managing electrical hazards. The blitz follows a recent investigation into an electric shock at a quarry that identified significant concerns regarding the testing, inspection, and maintenance of electrical equipment.”
The full media release is available at: STATEWIDE BLITZ ON ELECTRICITY RISKS AT LARGE QUARRIES
10. IMPROVING VENTILATION IN INDOOR WORKPLACES – COVID-19
Safe Work Australia has issued a new fact sheet regarding information about ventilation in indoor workplaces. The fact sheet states, “Ensuring heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are well-maintained and operating properly is important for indoor workplaces to manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission. This includes any risks associated with the HVAC system being restarted after a period of shutdown.”
The Fact Sheet highlights three will help to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and improve ventilation in indoor settings, in addition to other control measures that should be in place such as physical distancing, good hygiene, regular cleaning and maintenance, and that your workers do not attend work if they are unwell. The three steps are:
- Ensure the HVAC system is working properly,
- Take steps to improve ventilation for indoor workplaces,
- Other things you can do.
A copy of the Fact Sheet is attached and can be downloaded from the following link: www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/improving-ventilation-indoor-workplaces-covid-19
11. MAPPING THE MINE FACE WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
An interesting article appeared in the Australian Mine Safety Journal this week regarding how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to scan data to differentiate ore from the waste rock. The article from the Mining Editor states, “Innovative MRIWA research shows how AI can use scanned data to differentiate ore from the waste rock, allowing each stage of the mining process to be planned more effectively in advance.
The character and intensity of mineralisation can vary significantly within an orebody, requiring constant measurement and vigilance to keep excavation and processing of the valuable minerals operating efficiently. New research supported by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) helps deliver a new and more efficient method for maintaining this important oversight during the mining process.
Developed by Plotlogic and the University of Queensland (UQ), this system uses visible and infrared light to automatically classify material as ore or waste rock during mining. …
This real-time mapping allows the mining process to be planned out before digging even starts. Beyond this immediate efficiency gain, the enhanced ability to recognise ore grade could also underpin future autonomous mine systems.”
Read the full article at: www.amsj.com.au/mapping-the-mine-face-with-artificial-intelligence
12. HOW DOES ELECTRICITY GET TO YOU AND WHAT ROLE DOES TRANSMISSION PLAY?
Energy Networks Australia (ENA) in its latest update reports that it has “produced a new suite of resources to explain how electricity gets to customers and the importance of transmission. Click HERE to see our infographic, fact sheet and view a short video.
The electricity network is undergoing significant changes to support Australia’s transition to a low emissions future and transmission has an important role to play in moving to a renewable energy future.
These resources are designed to help customers understand these changes and the vital role of transmission.”
Fact sheet attached and available at: : FACT SHEET – HOW ELECTRICITY GETS TO CUSTOMERS?
For more information review the video included in the link: www.energynetworks.com.au/about/how-does-electricty-get-to-you