- UE – PRACTITIONER WORKSHOP IN ORANGE – 10 MAY 2021
- ELECTRICAL WORKER LOSES LICENCE FOR FIVE YEARS
- JEDI – HARNESSING DATA TO UNLOCK AUSTRALIA’S OPPORTUNITIES
- IMPORTANT WEBINAR ON ABORIGINAL CULTURAL AWARENESS AND ENGAGEMENT
- CLIMATE CHANGE & INFRASTRUCTURE – IT’S A RISKY BUSINESS
- 2021 WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK AND WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY
- UPDATED WORKPLACE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE
- SPOTLIGHT ON SURVEYS
- RETAILER RETROFITS 100 STORES WITH R-448A
- SAFEWORK NSW SAFETYCAST EPISODE 10 – SCAFFOLD SAFETY
1. UE – PRACTITIONER WORKSHOP IN ORANGE – 10 MAY 2021
The NSW Utilities & Electrotechnology Industry Training Advisory Body (NSW UE ITAB) is organising a practitioner workshop in Orange on Monday 10 May 2021. The workshop will explore and hold discussions with regional practitioners about issues associated with the roll-out and implementation of Electrotechnology Training Package UEE20, particularly the new workplace evidence requirements and likely impact on resourcing. As well, other related Utilities Training Packages and associated issues including apprenticeship model and workplace evidence gathering mechanisms preferred by the industry, mutual recognition of licenses and licensing/training matters in general.
Details and schedule will be advised shortly, as discussions are underway with TAFE NSW Orange to hold the event at the College between 10.00 am to 2.00pm, Monday 10 May 2021. If you are able to attend, please confirm your interest and potential for attending.
Invitation is open to RTO practitioners, Training Services NSW officers, employers including GTOs, employee representatives, and other interested stakeholders. It is intended that other regional events will be held progressively leading to a major forum in Sydney sometime in the third quarter of 2021.
2. ELECTRICAL WORKER LOSES LICENCE FOR FIVE YEARS
Queensland’s Electrical Safety Officer reports in its latest eSafe Electrical newsletter of its Electrical Licensing Committee disqualifying an electrical worker from holding an electrical work licence for five years due to repeated defective electrical work across South East Queensland, posing serious risk to the safety of people and property.. Read more
3. JEDI – HARNESSING DATA TO UNLOCK AUSTRALIA’S OPPORTUNITIES
The National Skills Commission (NSC) is undertaking a major labour market project. The NSC states, it is “developing intelligence on Australia’s labour market; workforce changes and current and emerging skills needs”. Jobs and Education Data Infrastructure (JEDI) is a flagship enabler of this intelligence.
JEDI provides a real-time view of the Australian labour market, drawing complex data from multiple sources into its data engine, and transforming it into meaningful insights for many different users. These insights include:
- Skills: a common language
- Linking jobs to training
- Forecasting future needs
- One data engine: many outputs
JEDI is powering several online tools to support individuals navigate a changing labour market:
The NSC has also developed and released the Australian Skills Classification compendium. It is intended to be a ‘common language’ for skills. The Classification identifies the range of skills linked to occupations, and enables the exploration of the connections and transferability of these skills.
Learn more about the array of tools under development and available at: JOBS AND EDUCATION DATA INFRASTRUCTURE (JEDI)
4. IMPORTANT WEBINAR ON ABORIGINAL CULTURAL AWARENESS AND ENGAGEMENT
The Institute of Community Directors Australia is holding a webinar for boards and organisational leaders wishing to open a respectful dialogue with First Nations peoples and communities. The webinar will help participants learn how to foster authentic participation and establish effective partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
A range of topics and themes will be explored including:
- Understanding and responsibility for our shared history – what does this mean?
- Creating culturally safe spaces
- Removing barriers/creating pathways
- Building relationships
- Taking small (important) steps
This webinar will take place on Thursday, 6 May from 1 pm to 2 pm AEST.
Registration costs just $80, or $70 if you’re an ICDA-member. REGISTER NOW!
5. CLIMATE CHANGE & INFRASTRUCTURE – IT’S A RISKY BUSINESS
The latest EnergyInsider, published by Energy Networks Australia (ENA) and Australian Energy Council (AEC) reports on Australia’s electricity networks are facing risks due to the changes in natural weather hazards
It states, “Back in the 1980’s Tom found himself in a risky situation as he tried to hastily make repairs to damage before his film parents returned from vacation. Australia’s electricity networks are facing risks coming in the air today due to the changes in natural weather hazards as a result of climate change. Getting the balance between investment in resilience or repairs is tricky business.”
For more, contact Jill Cainey, Energy Networks Australia
6. 2021 WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK AND WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY
Safe Work Australia has released a notice promoting 28 April 2021 as World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers’ Memorial Day. The circular states, “The day provides an opportunity to reflect on how to prevent work-related occupational diseases, deaths, injuries, and illnesses. It is also a day to remember those that have died from a work-related injury or illness.
How to get involved:
Get involved and promote the importance of a safe and healthy workplace this World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April by:
- downloading our printable poster to raise awareness in your workplace
- using #worldWHSday2021, #SafeDay or #IWMD2021 on social media and sharing our social media posts
- having a chat about workplace health and safety in your physical or virtual work meetings
- attending a virtual Workers’ Memorial Day event in your area
- arranging a safety expert to speak at your workplace
- watching the XXII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work: Prevention in the Connected Age
Further information
Visit your state and territory regulator websites for information and local activities for World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April”.
6.1. UPDATED WORKPLACE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE
Safe Work Australia also announced the release of the updated workplace traffic management guidance to include information on working on or near public roads.
Read our workplace traffic management guidance for practical measures on managing the risks of working on public roads:
- Workplace traffic management – general guide
- Traffic management guide – warehousing
- Traffic management guide – events
- Traffic management guide – construction work, and
- Information sheet – traffic management
For more information visit: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/traffic-management-general-guide
7. SPOTLIGHT ON SURVEYS
NCVER reports on a number of surveys in the market with the first targeting employers.
- Employer survey:
The Newsletter states, “Australian employers are being contacted to find out how they train their staff, and how effective this training is at meeting their skill needs. The Survey of Employers’ Use and Views of the VET System runs every 2 years and interviews around 9,000 employers each survey.
Survey results will be released in October 2021.
- RTO Survey:
RTOs across the country are being asked to support a new survey of current VET students’ training experiences. The new VET Student Experience Survey, developed jointly by ASQA, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and NCVER, will seek the views of around 40,000 students undertaking training across more than 500 RTOs. The information captured will complement the annual National Student Outcomes Survey findings.
Selected RTOs will be contacted from April 2021 and are encouraged to help facilitate this new student survey.
- National Student Outcomes Survey:
Latest data from the National Student Outcomes Survey, Australia’s largest survey of VET students, is available. Close to one million students who finished nationally recognised training in Australia in 2019 were asked about their satisfaction with training, employment, and further study outcomes, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected them.
RTOs, visit our Portal to view the eligibility requirements and details on how to access your free individual report.
The 2021 National Student Outcomes Survey will open in June 2021 for students who completed a VET qualification, program or subject during 2020.
For more information visit: www.ncver.edu.au
8. RETAILER RETROFITS 100 STORES WITH R-448A
Sandra Rossi, Editor at Climate Control News (CCN) reports on an organic food retailer adopting R-488A in its stores. Whole Foods Market will retrofit its commercial refrigeration systems at more than 100 stores with R-448A. It is seeking to reduce refrigerant emissions under the Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill program.
The report states, “The Honeywell refrigerant known as SolsticeN40 is based on hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology. … When using Solstice N40, refrigeration systems also consume less energy than their counterparts that cool using HFCs.”
9. SAFEWORK NSW SAFETYCAST EPISODE 10 – SCAFFOLD SAFETY
SafeWork NSW has released its latest SafetyCast Episode 10 on Scaffold Safety. The promotion states, “Did you know that Principal Contractors and others who have control of scaffolding on site must manage the risks associated with the scaffolding.
This includes ensuring:
- That only a licenced person erects, alters and dismantles scaffolds;
- Scaffolds are routinely inspected and is compliant with relevant standards and requirements;
- That site inductions and ongoing toolbox talks clearly state that unlicensed workers are prohibited from altering scaffolds;
- Access to incomplete sections is prevented; and
- Relevant SWMS are current and adhered to.
In this episode of the SafetyCast, Ryan Tinker discusses Scaffold Safety with Katie Hibbert.
Find the Full episode at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1344256/8316459
The Take 5 at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1344256/8316470”