February 2011 E-Newsletter
Welcome to the February Issue of the SSA Newsletter
Latest News
Travel and Tourism Industry Investigates Issues in Workforce Development
In the second half of 2010, the Travel and Tourism industries came together to undertake a series of forums and consultations to identify the key issues facing the sector in workforce development.The Australian Federation of Travel Agents(AFTA), Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and Service Skills Australia (SSA would like to thank industry stakeholders who came together in the forums and provided feedback to the process). The information that we collected through the consultation was invaluable and provided real insight into the strategic needs of our industry. The discussion process is now complete and the outcomes of the discussion with industry have identified three priority areas which AFTA, ATEC and SSA will work with industry and government to implement. The priorities are a framework for skills and workforce development over the next three years. The priorities are underpinned by a suite of actions - some of which will be responded to in the next 12 months.
We look forward to ongoing engagement and collaboration with industry to see that these priorities are addressed.Service Skills Australia are already conducting some work in these priorities via the training package review. The finalised "Statement of Priorities" is available here for download.
For further information on the priorities, please contact:
Jayson Westbury (Australian Federation of Travel Agents) afta@afta.com.au
Gary O'Riordan (Australian Tourism Export Council) gary.oriordan@atec.net.au
Kit McMahon (Service Skills Australia) kmcmahon@serviceskills.com.au
Flood and Cyclone Relief Fundraiser for the Hairdressing Industry
The Australian Hairdressing Council (AHC) launched the AHC Flood and Cyclone Relief Fundraiser as part of an ambitious and heart-felt industry response to the recent natural disasters in Northern Queensland and Victoria. All funds raised will go to salon owners who have been affected and requested assistance from the AHC. Individuals and industry have demonstrated their ongoing support for the AHC and a group of talented hairdressing professionals, including award winning session stylists and educators, have donated their time and talents to a silent auction. The items on auction include "money can't buy experiences", through to exceptional educational opportunities. Highlights include a photoshoot mentoring session with five times Hair Expo Australian Hairdresser of the Year, Shane Henning, backstage styling with Renya Xydis as part of Sass & Bide's London Fashion Week show and the opportunity to assist Robert Lobetta on his new product range campaign shoot in the US, including return flights and accommodation. The auction also features an industry who's who of over twenty top tier hairdressers such as, Brad Ngata, Caterina DiBiase, Jayne Wild, Dario Cotroneo and Kenneth Stoddart.
Hairdressing affiliated businesses have also rallied behind the cause with substantial support coming from Shortcuts, Goldwell, TIGI, Aveda and Hair Expo Australia plus others.
The auction website can be found at www.ahcsalonselect.com.au/silent_auction/
Industry Advisors Needed for Beauty!
Service Skills Australia are seeking expressions of interest from experienced industry practitioners for the role of Industry Advisor in the Right Way program to support the implementation of the SIB10 Beauty Training Package.
Industry advisors with essential industry experience will be engaged to apply their expertise in current workplace practices to evaluate equipment and resources being used by training providers. We are seeking industry advisors who have relevant industry experience and comprehensive current knowledge of the beauty industry. Essential to the integrity of this program is that the industry advisors are currently working in the industry.
If you are interested in becoming an industry advisor, further information is avaialble on the Service Skills Australia website at www.serviceskills.com.au/industry-advisor-expression-of-interest or contact Karen Banks at kbanks@serviceskills.com.au or Yuen Nirmala ynirmala@serviceskills.com.au
Be Part of a Ground Breaking New Management Qualification
There's still time to be part of a new way to the top with a new way of learning: The Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Retail Management) at the University of Western Sydney (UWS).
This radical new qualification integrates a Bachelor's degree with on-the-job learning through a retail traineeship, giving graduates the tools they need for a successful career in management. Graduates will be a step ahead of their peers with academic knowledge complimenting real job skills to allow them to hit the ground running. As part of the course students undertake a traineeship with a retail employer to earn while they learn.
If you're a retail employer, do you have staff who you want to develop and retain as your future senior managers? Or would you be prepared to act as a host employer? As well as the benefits you'd gain from committed, high-performing staff, you would also benefit from being part of a new, integrated way of learning, supported by both federal and state governments.
If you would like to discuss how your organisation could become part of this exciting opportunity, please contact Alastair Wilson at Service Skills Australia awilson@serviceskills.com.au tel: 02 8243 1200.
If you're working in retail or have retail experience, have completed your HSC and want a career in management, this is the pathway for you! As part of a select group, you will be supported through a new, integrated qualification that will give you the groundwork for a high-flying career in management. If you're not currently working in retail, we will be able to help you to find employment.
More information about the qualification can be found at the Service Skills Australia Website.
Training Package Updates
Tourism, Hospitality and Events Training Package
SIT07 Version 2.3 is now available on NTIS
The latest version of the training package can be downloaded from NTIS. Hard and soft copies of SIT07 V2.3 can also be purchased from our online shop.
Assesment Strategy Templates
SSA continues to provide support in the implementation of our training packages. Assessment Strategy templates have been developed for 90 popular units of competencies. The templates can be tailored to cater for different learner requirements and assessment preferences. See our online shop for more details.
Tourism Review
The Tourism Review is currently in the Drafting stage. The key issues being considered in the review are summarised in the Tourism Review Scoping Paper, which can be downloaded from our website.
For further information please contact Therese Ma at tma@serviceskills.com.au
Provide Feedback on Draft 1 or Community Pharmacy
Service Skills Australia has made available the first draft qualifications and units for community pharmacy. We are now seeking your feedback on these drafts to inform the future skills frameworks for the industry. All drafts are available on the Service Skills Australia website
Please send any feedback to Karen Banks at kbanks@serviceskills.com.au by Friday 18 March 2011.
SFL10 Floristry Training Package - Implementation Workshop
Following the endorsement of the SFL10 Floristry Training Package in December 2010, Service Skills Australia will hold implementation workshops in April-May 2011. These workshops aim to brief trainers and assessors on the new training package by unpacking the various components of it. Mark Pampling, a member of the Service Skills Australia Industry Advisory Committee for the WRAPS area will be co-facilitating the workshops. Please register your interest to Karen Banks at kbanks@serviceskills.com.au
SIB10 Beauty - Support Materials
The full suite of learner guides to support the delivery of the SIB10 Beauty Training Package is now available for purchase through the Service Skills Australia online shop. The learner guides are available as individual resources either in hard copy or electronic form; or by qualification on CD ROM. Also now avaiable is a CD ROM containing all the resources available electronically. Please see the online shop www.serviceskills.com.au/catalogue/beauty/support-materials for more information or contact our customer team on 02 8243 1200.
Service Skills Australia is currently planning work to contextualise the learner guides for the core retail units to the beauty industry.
Retail Services Training Package Update
The Retail Services Training Package, including the new and revised Units of Competency and Qualifications Network, is now on the Service Skills Australia website for comment. A Modification History table that identifies the changes that have been made to the revised units will be available next week. Comments close on 19 March 2011, please record your comments on the online feedback register or contact Barbara Hawkins at bhawkins@serviceskills.com.au or on 0418 109 789.
SIS10 Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package Update
Service Skills Australia will be holding full-day implementation workshops to assist relevant stakeholders in the transition to the new SIS10 Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package. An initial round of workshops will be held in most capital cities from April through to May. The dates for these workshops are currently being formalised with the relevant State/Territory Network . It is expected that the recently endorsed SIS10 Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package will be available on NTIS within the first quarter. For the interim a Pre-NTIS release is available on CD-ROM and can be purchased through SSA's online shop.
To express your interest in attending a SIS10 Training Package workshop together with an outline of the transition answers you seek, please email kbeattie@serviceskills.com.au
Project Updates
Enterprise Based PPP Update - December 2010
Currently 962 learners are enrolled including 217 business owners (23%)
Those 962 learners are supported by 537 enterprises.
Of those 537 businesses, 79% employ 20 persons or less (whilst 61% overall employ 10 or less).
A number of policy considerations are emerging:
- SME owners/managers, as primary drivers of workplace change and innovation, require access to mainstream public training funds.
- RTOs need support to more effectively respond to an enterprise, demand driven VET system that delivers workforce development and improved productivity.
- Value for money solutions are available within existing mainstream programs but require greater industry input to achieve more effective (industry centred) outcomes.
Please download the Enterprise Based Productivity Places Program Report for further information.
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