Training Matters
Volume Two June/July 2008 | www.det.wa.edu.au
Tradies trade up
to Masterclass
The big picture:
WA training
profile
Skills search
heads overseas
Big idea
for small business
2
Training Matters
Evolution leads to innovation
Welcome to the second edition of Training
Matters magazine, a new publication by the
Department of Education and Training to keep
WA’s vocational education and training sector
up to date with the latest industry news and
achievements.
Thank you to everyone who attended the
Training Forum 2008 in May. It was fantastic to
see so many VET practitioners looking for new
ways to expand and improve their training
methods. The forum provided an excellent
platform to discuss ways the sector can evolve
to address the skill shortages.
This edition of Training Matters continues
with the theme of evolution in the sector by
exploring some innovative approaches to
vocational education and training that are
helping to meet the challenges.
These include the Masterclass of Trades pilot
which is leading the way in post-trade training;
the Department’s involvement in an offshore
skills assessment for potential migrants; and the
strong links that are being developed between
secondary schools and industry to encourage
the next generation to consider a career in the
trades.
With WA’s booming economy showing no signs
of slowing down, it is becoming increasingly
evident that strong links between the training
contents
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3
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5
5
Evolution leads to innovation
Big help for small business
TAFEWA takes the high road
New addition to trade reform
Train the trainer takes off
Free employability resources
sector and industry are paramount to addressing the
demand for skilled workers.
The State Training Board is leading the way in this area
with its State Training Profile. It draws on research and
input from industry to provide a three-year outlook into
Western Australia’s skills needs and priorities for publicly
funded vocational education and training.
These priorities for increasing the capacity and
capability of the training sector will underpin future
developments and provide some interesting topics
for Training Matters to discuss in future editions.
In the meantime, I invite you to read through
this edition of Training Matters which not
only highlights exciting projects happening
in the sector but also gives well deserved
recognition to some of its high achievers.
The next edition of Training Matters will
be published in September to coincide
with the announcement of the WA Training
Awards 2008.
Robert Player
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL, TRAINING
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8
Training reforms get the green light
WA has voice at 2020
Win leads to big things
Trade teachers in national spotlight
Chance to win $100,000
Celebrate lifelong learning
9
12
15
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19
Training profile guides future directions
Time to trade up to Masterclass
Offshore solutions
VET moves to the top of the class
Upcoming professional development workshops
Cover: Stonemason Daniel Killham has undertaken post-trade training in trade contracting as part of the Department of
Education and Training’s new Masterclass of Trades program for qualified tradespeople. See story page 12.
Training Matters is published quarterly by the Western Australian Department of Education and Training and distributed to vocational
education and training practitioners, registered training organisations and other key industry stakeholders throughout the sector.
TITLE: Training Matters SCIS NO: 1362924 ISBN: 1448-5400 © Department of Education and Training 2008
Reproduction of this work in whole or part for educational purposes, within an educational institution and on condition that it is not
offered for sale, is permitted by the Department of Education and Training.
This material is available on request in appropriate alternative formats including Braille, audio recording and computer disk.
The Department of Education and Training does not endorse nor take responsibility for the accuracy of information or claims made
in the advertisements carried in Training Matters.
For all editorial, advertising and general enquiries
contact: Editor, Training Matters
Corporate Communications and Marketing
Department of Education and Training
151 Royal Street, East Perth WA 6004
T: (08) 9270 3085. F: (08) 9264 4896
W: det.wa.edu.au/trainingmatters
E: trainingmatters@det.wa.edu.au
Training Matters
3
“The institute provides a systematic, integrated
approach to small business training in WA and
provides small business operators with a first port
of call to find the training and support they need
to lift their bottom line,” she said.
The institute acts as a broker for training and
engages with small businesses online via a small
business portal. Industry training brokers are also
based north and south of the river to provide
one-on-one support to small business operators
and help them access customised training.
“The approach focuses on providing business
solutions rather than the training – the training
is delivered incidentally as part of helping
businesses operate more successfully,”
Mrs Slavin said.
“The hope is that as businesses take up some
training, they will see the relevance and benefits
and continue on that pathway.”
The board
The Small Business Training Institute is guided
by the Small Business Training Institute Board.
The board provides strategic advice to ensure
the institute’s small business perspective.
Inaugural board members:
• Sue Slavin, Managing Director, West Coast TAFE
West Coast TAFE Managing Director Sue Slavin
with Small Business Training Institute board member
Cate Brodie, owner of four IGA stores.
• Stephen Moir, Chief Executive Officer,
Small Business Development Commission
Big help for small business
A united approach by the
training sector to build the
capacity of small business has
seen the launch of the Small
Business Training Institute in WA.
The institute – which is not so much a tangible
building as a virtual centre – aims to provide
better access to formal training for small
businesses so they can improve their effectiveness
and productivity.
The institute aims to address the gaps between
what small businesses want in the way of training,
what registered training providers deliver and the
training and skills small businesses need to remain
competitive in a changing economy.
Established following a recommendation of the
State Training Board’s Small Business Advisory
Committee, West Coast TAFE has received
funding from the Department of Education and
Training to host the institute.
Last year’s winner of WA Large Training Provider
of the Year in the WA Training Awards, West
Coast TAFE has developed the institute based
on consultation with small business operators
and private training providers. Additionally,
West Coast TAFE will be introducing a new training
product to the State through a collaborative
partnership with a Queensland TAFE institute.
Managing Director Sue Slavin said the institute
was a conduit for small businesses to access
training, a focal point for developing training
resources for small businesses and an avenue to
disseminate best practice throughout the State’s
training network.
• Oliver Moon, Chief Executive Officer,
Combined Small Business Alliance of WA
• Michael Young, Managing Director,
Burgess McFarland Young
• Cate Brodie, Owner of four IGA stores and
member of West Coast TAFE Governing Council
• Richard Le Comte, Director,
Managerial Resources Training, Port Hedland
• Tim Hantke, Managing Director, Franchising
Solutions and founder of Snap Printing
• Beth Walker, Director, Small and Medium
Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan
University, and Coastal Small Business Centre
“The institute aims to improve training
opportunities for small business throughout the
entire training sector, not just TAFEWA colleges,
which is why it is important that we have
representation from private providers as well as
people working in small business,” Mrs Slavin said.
“These people can provide us with such a great
depth of knowledge, not just from their individual
business perspectives, but from the perspective of
the wider small business sector.” TM
Training Matters
TAFEWA takes the high road
Regional TAFEWA colleges in
the Central West/Gascoyne, Pilbara,
Goldfields and Kimberley are planning
to hit the road in second semester to
take training opportunities to people
in remote and regional Aboriginal
communities.
Planning is underway by Central West TAFE,
Pilbara TAFE, Curtin University’s Vocational
Training and Education Centre (Kalgoorlie)
and Kimberley TAFE to each develop a Mobile
Indigenous Trades Training Unit.
Department of Education and Training Planning
and Resources Executive Director Simon Walker
said communities would be consulted so that
the training delivered was tailored to their needs
with a strong focus on developing trade and
work readiness skills.
“The units will aim to provide community
members with a chance to learn
pre-apprenticeship skills in the mining, building
and construction, and automotive trades, as well
as general job readiness, literacy and numeracy,
health and safety, and driving qualifications,”
Mr Walker said.
“The kinds of training programs delivered will
largely depend on what communities identify
as being important for them.”
As well as trades and jobs-related training, the
units will aim to build community capacity by
providing people with the skills to undertake
repairs and maintenance of their houses, cars
and community infrastructure. There is also the
potential to offer a range of non-trade programs
depending on the requirements a community
identifies during consultations.
The colleges will also work with other
organisations and stakeholders such as industry,
schools and private training providers, local
government and other government agencies to
develop a training plan for each community that
reflects the interests, training needs and work
opportunities for local residents.
The initiative is receiving $2 million in State
Government funding to buy heavy duty trucks
suited to transporting mobile classroom and trade
units in regional and remote areas as well as a
diverse range of training and trade equipment.
Mr Walker said skilled lecturers who could train
effectively and work closely with community
members would be one of the keys to the
initiative’s success.
“To help lecturers, a mining standard mobile
caravan will provide a ‘home away from
home’ and the colleges will be working with
the Department so lecturers are supported to
achieve the best outcomes for remote and
regional Aboriginal communities,” he said. TM
New addition to trade reform
The electrical trades have joined the growing list of
industries undergoing trade reform.
“The addition of the electrical trades is significant as these industry
groups have recognised the need to come together to tackle the issue
of skill shortages,” Mr Harris said.
School based apprenticeships and part-time apprenticeships are
now available in the electrical mechanic, electronic servicing and
engineering tradesperson (electrical) trades.
“By offering school based and part-time options, apprenticeships in the
electrical trades will be more accessible to more people across WA
including secondary school
students, people in regional
areas where business levels
may not support full-time
apprenticeships, and people
returning to the workforce.”
The move comes after electrical industry groups joined forces to
address skill shortages in their trades. This includes the Western
Australian Information, Electrotechnology and Utilities Industry Training
Council; Metals, Manufacturing and Services Industry Training Council;
National Electrical and Communications Association of WA; and
Communications Electrical Plumbing Union.
The groups are keen to see the effect of flexible training options on
attracting more staff and have backed a trial program offering school
based apprenticeships to Year 11 and 12 students, as well as part-time
apprenticeships. The trial will allow for an evaluation of the effectiveness
of these options and the identification of any issues that need to be
ironed out.
Department of Education and Training Apprenticeships and
Traineeships Director Ray Harris said the latest additions meant school
based apprenticeships were now available in 57 trades and part-time
apprenticeships available in 27 trades.
Further changes will be
in place by the end of the
year to help more people
take up an apprenticeship,
including the introduction
of single training contracts
and mandatory credit
for pre-apprentices.
Visit apprenticentre.wa.gov.
au for a complete list of
trade reforms. TM
Training Matters
Train the
trainer
takes off
Employers of apprentices and
trainees are eagerly taking
up a Department of Education
and Training offer to refine their
employees’ training skills for free.
More than 140 apprentice supervisors have
already signed up to complete a set of skills from
the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
The training focuses on specific skills relevant
to assessment in the workplace including
planning, developing and validating assessment
of apprentices.
The units of competency are from the
nationally recognised Training and Assessment
Training Package and can be credited towards
the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
They have been carefully selected to help
ensure employers and their staff provide a
quality on-the-job training experience to
apprentices and trainees.
The pilot program was developed in response
to research by the Skills Formation Taskforce
that found, while many tradespeople had the
technical skills related to their trade, many
felt they did not necessarily have the skills or
strategies to properly train apprentices under
their supervision.
The program was initially available to apprentice
supervisors in the automotive, building and
construction, electrical, hospitality, and metals
and engineering trade industries but has now
been expanded to include supervisors of both
apprentices and trainees in all industries.
Leading mining and civil construction company
Macmahon Contractors is among the employers
to sign up for the free course. Twelve of its staff
members received training through Kondinin
Group Training.
Macmahon Apprentice Coordinator Jason
Cullen said Macmahon had been keen to take
up the offer to improve its training program
which involves more than 100 apprentices.
Plant mechanic Michael Azzaro from Macmahon Contractors instructs apprentice Jack Downie. Michael is one of many
apprentice supervisors taking up an offer of free training from the Department of Education and Training.
“The training gives our supervisors and leading
hands a better understanding of the training
system and helps them become better
trainers and mentors to the apprentices in the
workplace,” he said.
Fifty-six registered training organisations are
delivering the training throughout WA.
For more information about where the training
is available visit apprenticentre.wa.gov.au. TM
Free employability resources
A set of free employability skills resources
is available to the VET sector at
www.employabilityskillsresources.com.
The resources are the result of a project
conducted by the National Quality Council on
employability skills from late 2006 to early 2008.
Resources include:
• six professional development resources
• t hree pamphlets – one for learners, one for
employers and one for RTOs
• n
ine articles and an accompanying
PowerPoint presentation.
The project involved the development
and pilot of an approach for assessing and
reporting on employability skills in training
packages and the development of a
professional development strategy and
associated resources. TM
Training Matters
Training reforms get the green light
Apprentices in key trades
have given shortened
competency-based
apprenticeships the thumbs up.
Data from the 2007 TAFEWA student satisfaction
survey shows a significant rise in apprentices’
satisfaction with training.
TAFEWA automotive, building and construction,
and metals and mining apprentices are now
more satisfied with how quickly they can complete
their courses.
In 2006, 65.5 per cent of automotive
apprentices were satisfied with how quickly
they could complete their course, compared with
71.5 per cent in 2007.
For metals and mining apprentices, satisfaction
levels grew from 59.9 per cent in 2006 to
71.8 per cent in 2007.
The satisfaction levels of building and construction
apprentices jumped even further, from 63.6 per
cent in 2006 to 82.8 per cent in 2007.
And with pay rates for graduates increasing in
the past year, it is no wonder they are happy.
WA has voice
at 2020
The National Centre for Vocational Education
Research (NCVER) 2007 annual student outcomes
survey shows the full-time earnings of graduate
apprentices and trainees from publicly funded
training providers have increased 8.9 per cent from
2006 to 2007. This is compared with a 4.8 per cent
average increase for all VET graduates who are
not apprentices or trainees.
Graduates employed in the mining industry are
earning the most with an average annual salary
of $66,803. Meanwhile, graduates employed in the
Top paying industries for VET graduates*
electricity, gas and water supply industry
have also experienced an increase in salary
– a 7.8 per cent increase from $53,597 in 2006
to $57,719 in 2007.
Job prospects in WA are also encouraging.
The survey shows 84.3 per cent of graduates
from publicly funded VET providers in WA found
employment compared with 81.1 per cent of
VET graduates from publicly funded training
providers across Australia. This is up from 81.1 per
cent in WA and 79.6 per cent nationally in 2006.
Annual earnings
Annual
increase
TM
%
2006
2007
Mining
$62,987
$66,803
$3,816
6.0%
Electricity, gas and water supply
$53,597
$57,719
$4,122
7.8%
Government administration and defence
$45,786
$53,190
$7,404
16.1%
Transport and storage
$47,850
$51,410
$3,560
7.4%
Average across all industries
$43,721
$45,657
$1,936
4.4%
Source: NCVER 2006 and 2007 Student Outcomes Survey. Average Graduate Earnings at 26 May 2006 and 2007 (midpoint values).
Full-time (35 hrs plus) Employee (Wage or Salary Earners) (main job) / Industry of Employment. *TAFEWA, private providers and
other government.
WA’s training sector had a
chance to put forward its
agenda at April’s Australia
2020 Summit.
State Training Board Chair Keith Spence and
Challenger TAFE Acting Managing Director Liz
Harris were among seven Western Australians
invited to be on the productivity working group.
Convened at Parliament House by Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd, the summit brought together 1,000
of the brightest brains from across the country
with the aim of harnessing ideas to build a
modern Australia ready for the challenges of
the 21st century.
The productivity group, one of 10 at the summit,
had the direct ear of co-chair Deputy Prime
Minister Julia Gillard and addressed issues in
relation to education, training, skills, science
and innovation.
Ms Harris used the forum to highlight the
importance of providing learning and working
environments that encouraged innovation to
raise the issue of workforce development at
a State and national level; and to develop
strategies to target people disengaged from
education and training.
She said it was a fantastic experience to be in an
environment with so many positive ideas, many
of which WA’s education and training system
were already working towards.
Mr Spence’s input included the need to address
the changing attitudes of the Gen Y workforce
who by 2016 will make up 40 per cent of the
workforce. He also took with him ideas to
improve integration between VET and higher
education at a national level with much stronger
links to industry.
“While the summit took a national approach and
was not specific to WA, I’m confident the ideas
coming out will benefit Western Australians,”
Mr Spence said.
The formal outcomes of the Summit can be
viewed at www.australia2020.gov.au. TM
Training Matters
Win leads to big things
Zoe’s on a roll
As judging begins on
Trainee of the Year 2007 Zoe Howarth also
the WA Training Awards WA
continues to reap the rewards of her win in the
WA Training Awards and subsequent runner-up
2008, two previous
placing in the national awards in Hobart.
winners are still revelling Zoe was recently awarded a high
commendation in the 2008 WA Youth Awards
Leadership category. She was recognised for her
in the limelight, and
volunteer work which includes volunteering every
second Sunday to help homeless people in Perth
have become good
city. She also works as a chaplain at Landsdale
Primary School and Ashdale Primary School and
friends in the process.
at just 20 is the youngest chaplain in Australia.
Brendan’s food safari
Zoe was nominated for the Youth Awards by
her fellow WA Training Awards winner and now
good friend Brendan, who says he admired her
dedication and drive.
Zoe said it was another highlight in what has
been a busy time since last year’s win.
“Since the WA Training Awards I’ve been
given so many fantastic opportunities which
just wouldn’t have been possible otherwise,”
said Zoe, who completed her training at
West Coast TAFE.
“It’s opened so many doors and I’ve have the
chance to meet some great people.”
The WA Training Awards 2008 will be presented
on 5 September at a function at the Burswood
Entertainment Complex. Finalists will be notified
in mid July. TM
It’s been a busy nine months for WA Apprentice
of the Year 2007 Brendan Pratt.
Between a trip to Hobart to represent WA in
the national awards, attending functions and
media launches in his role as WA Training Awards
ambassador and working at Fraser’s Restaurant,
he has plenty on his plate.
And now he’s been given yet another exciting
opportunity as a result of his win – a study trip
to the UK to learn from some of its most
renowned chefs.
Brendan (21) – who was also recently named
Challenger TAFE 2007 Apprentice of the Year
and joint winner of its 2007 Student of the Year
Award – has used his $7,000 prize money to pay
for the trip, with extra funding from Fraser’s.
He left in May and is spending two weeks each
at The Ritz in London, the Fat Duck Restaurant
and the Waterside Inn, three of the best
restaurants in England. The Fat Duck and the
Waterside Inn both boast a highly coveted three
Michelin star rating.
Fraser’s executive chef Chris Taylor used
his contacts to help coordinate the work
placements for Brendan which, in his first year of
being a qualified chef, gives him an opportunity
many chefs never see in their entire career.
“The experience of working under such highly
regarded chefs is going to be amazing,”
Brendan said.
“These restaurants are at the cutting edge of
fine dining so it will be fantastic to see how they
operate and then apply what I learn to my work
in Perth.”
WA Training Awards 2007 winners and friends Brendan Pratt and Zoe Howarth are still making a name for themselves almost
12 months since their wins.
Training Matters
Trade teachers in national spotlight
The State’s forestry and mining
industries will benefit from the
success of two WA trainers.
national awards; Andrew as Conservation and
Land Management Trade Teacher of the Year
and Adrian as Mineral Resources Trade Teacher
of the Year.
Recognition in the Institute for Trade Skills
Excellence’s inaugural Australian Trade Teacher
of the Year Awards is helping two Western
Australian trainers continue to produce high
quality, skilled workers for their industries.
The awards recognise excellence in vocational
education and training and carry $10,000 prize
money, $5,000 of which winners must put towards
an industry training project.
Great Southern TAFE lecturer Andrew Nicholson
and Caterpillar Institute (WA) General Manager
Adrian Hall were category winners in the
On his return he will deliver train the trainer
sessions for all Caterpillar Institute technical
trainers to keep them up to date with the
latest industry technology and ensure the
institute’s students are learning the most
current information about engines. TM
Mr Nicholson, a lecturer in horticulture, forestry
and conservation at Great Southern TAFE, will
use his prize money to develop a new training
framework to recognise prior learning in the
forestry industry.
Mr Nicholson is responsible for coordinating,
assessing and quality assuring all forestry
qualifications delivered by the Forest Products
Commission. His framework will involve a shift from
portfolio-based recognition of prior learning to
work-based self and peer assessments and allow
the identification of skills and knowledge gaps
among employees and the development of new
courses in response to identified skills gaps.
Mr Hall will use his funding to help boost the
skills and knowledge of his fellow Caterpillar
Institute trainers.
Caterpillar Institute General Manager Adrian Hall has been
recognised as Mineral Resources Trade Teacher of the Year.
With matched funding from the Caterpillar
Institute to cover the cost of flights,
accommodation and course fees, he will
attend Caterpillar specialist training in the USA
in Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction
Technology (ACERT) Engines and Advanced
Failure Analysis (AFA).
Celebrate lifelong learning
Adult Community Education providers are
encouraged to nominate inspirational
students, tutors and programs for the 2008
Adult Learners’ Week Awards.
The awards will be presented during Adult
Learners’ Week from 1 to 8 September.
The week is an opportunity for all those
involved in adult learning to come together
to celebrate the value of lifelong learning in
the community.
Nominations for the awards close on 4 July.
Categories include Outstanding Learner
– individual, migrant and Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander; Outstanding Group of
Learners; Outstanding Provider – Community
Organisation and Local/State Government;
Outstanding Partnership; Outstanding
Tutor – Volunteer; and Outstanding Service
Contribution (Individual).
Adult Learners’ Week is a national initiative
coordinated by Adult Learning Australia.
It is jointly funded by the Department of
Education and Training and the Australian
Department of Education, Employment
and Workplace Relations.
For further information and application forms
visit www.adultlearnersweek.org or telephone
Toni Rogers on 9264 5056. TM
Rescuing pelicans is all in a day’s work for Conservation
and Land Management Trade Teacher of the Year Andrew
Nicholson, of Great Southern TAFE.
Chance to win $100,000
Do you know a TAFEWA lecturer who should
be recognised for their achievements and
professionalism? Then nominate them for the
Premier’s Teacher of the Year Award, now part
of the new WA Education Awards.
This inaugural awards program recognises
and rewards the skills, creativity, dedication
and passion of the many people who work in
public schools and TAFEWA colleges. It features
nine awards for teachers, TAFEWA lecturers,
principals and support staff in Western
Australian public schools.
TAFEWA lecturers are eligible to be nominated
for the WA Lecturer of the Year Award (TAFEWA)
and have the chance to win $100,000 and be
named the Premier’s Teacher of the Year.
The closing date for nominations is 22 August.
Winners of the awards will be announced at
a presentation event on 8 December.
Further information about the WA Education
Awards will be available on the website at
det.wa.edu.au from 16 June. TM
FEATURE
Training Matters
Training profile guides
future directions
With WA’s booming economy showing no signs of slowing, the job
of making sure the training system is equipped to provide enough
skilled workers to meet demand lies with the State Training Board.
What do we want? Skilled workers.
When do we want them? Now.
WA’s economy is undergoing an
unprecedented boom, driven by the
resources sector, which has resulted in
record employment levels and critical
shortages in labour.
Traditional trades are competing with
the mining industry for skilled workers
and the reality is there are not enough
people to go around.
WA is already training a higher
proportion of apprentices and trainees
in trade-related occupations than the
Australian average to help relieve the
shortage. And the trend looks set to
continue as the State Training Board
responds to the challenge with a focus
on increasing the capacity and
capability of the training sector over the
next three years.
continued…
Photo courtesy of Argyle Diamonds
9
10
FEATURE
Training Matters
...from page 9
Priorities it has formulated to achieve this include:
• t argeted training in areas of skill shortages at
both industry and regional level
Top 10 courses delivered in 2006
The model is just one of the tools used to inform
the profile.
• expansion of apprenticeship and traineeship
delivery
•C
ertificate III in Engineering
– Mechanical Trade
Board Chair Keith Spence said it was this type of
information that was invaluable in enabling an
informed approach to training reform.
• increasing the delivery of higher level
qualifications
•C
ertificate III in Engineering
– Fabrication Trade
• enhancing training options for young people
•C
ertificate III in Children’s Services
• improving training and employment outcomes
for Indigenous people
•C
ertificate III in Teacher Assistant
• developing the training system’s capability
through increased skills recognition and
workplace training and assessment.
•C
ertificate III in Electrotechnology
Systems Electrician
Guiding the path forward is the State Training
Profile 2008 – 2010.
•C
ertificate III in Aged Care Work
Developed by the State Training Board with input
from industry and research, the State Training
Profile provides a three-year outlook into Western
Australia’s skills needs and priorities for publicly
funded vocational education and training.
It gives an overview of the State’s key economic
and labour market issues and the key industry
Some skill shortage areas
(See State Training Profile for full list)
• Bus and truck mechanics
• Auto electricians
• Bricklayers
• Plumbers
• Roof tilers
•D
iploma of Enrolled Nursing
•C
ertificate II in Business
•C
ertificate III in Hospitality
(Commercial Cookery)
•C
ertificate II in General Education for Adults
priorities and issues for the training system on
a Statewide basis as well as on an industry by
industry basis.
The profile puts each industry under the
microscope to see if the current level of training
being delivered meets the projected need.
An economic model developed for the profile
shows there are areas where the level of training
will need to be stepped up to meet future
demand. These include the wholesale, retail
and personal services industry, mining and
metals manufacturing industry, building and
construction industry, and automotive industry.
“The profile is a detailed analysis of training need
versus effort by industry area and outlines the
developments and issues for each industry,”
he said.
“It also sets out training priorities and targets
as identified by the board, which will be used
to inform planning and purchasing of publicly
funded training in Western Australia.”
Mr Spence said the profile provided a valuable
insight for training practitioners and registered
training organisations into how the WA training
system could work with industry to overcome
the challenges of the coming years.
The State Training Profile is available on
the State Training Board’s website at
www.stb.wa.gov.au TM
Top five industries in need of more
apprentices and trainees
• Building and construction
• Mining and metals manufacturing
• Wholesale, retail and personal services
• Automotive
• Primary
• Painters and decorators
• Farriers
• Bakers
• Glaziers
• Chefs
• Computer system engineers
• Cabinet makers
• Boilermakers
• Horticulturalists
• Hairdressers
• Truck and train drivers
• Metal machinists
• Foundry moulders
• Drafters
• Mechanical and electrical engineers
Photo courtesy of Verriers Engineering
FEATURE
Training Matters
11
Photo courtesy of Iluka
What is the State Training Board?
Nine people make up the
State Training Board, the peak
industry training advisory body
to the Minister for Education
and Training.
The role of the board is to provide high level
independent advice to the Minister to guide
the strategic direction of the State’s training
sector. WA’s strong and sustained economic
growth has put pressure on the board to lead
and oversee major changes to the sector.
Each member of the board is appointed by
the Minister for their industry expertise and
ability to make a high level contribution to
the direction of the State training system.
• Keith Spence (Chair) –
Executive Vice President Enterprise
Capability, Woodside Energy Ltd
Keith Spence
Chair State Training Board
• Denis McInerney – Managing Director,
McInerney Ford
• Bill McKenzie – Kalgoorlie-based barrister
and solicitor practising predominantly in the
field of commercial and business law
• Lyn Sherwood – Managing Director, Lyn
Sherwood Enterprises, an executive career
coaching business
• Glen Lewis – Managing Director RecallSMS,
a mobile internet technology venture
• Colleen Hayward – Manager, Kulunga
Network, Telethon Institute for Child
Health Research, and Associate Professor
at Curtin University
• Umberto (Bert) Giancristofaro
– Director Human Resources,
Compass Group (Australia)
• John (Jock) Ferguson – WA State Secretary,
Australian Manufacturers Workers’ Union
• Mike Deeks, WA Site Executive,
Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd
To help the board inform the Minister
about industry training needs, it receives
market intelligence from the State’s industry
training advisory bodies. In 2007, the Board
commissioned a review of industry training
advisory arrangements which recommended
a new model to re-invigorate industry training
advisory arrangements in WA. The new Training
Councils, closely aligned with national Industry
Skills Councils, will have a vital leadership role
among industry and perform significantly
enhanced strategic functions to engage
industry in the VET sector.
The board’s work includes developing
the State Training Profile and last year it
commissioned a key study called Beyond the
Resources Boom. This highlighted the need for
increased flexibility within the training sector in
working with industry to continue developing
training solutions that make it easier for existing
workers to refresh and enhance their skills while
remaining in the workforce. It also highlighted
the need to encourage those sections of the
community that are not traditionally engaged
in the workforce to take up training to
broaden the potential labour force.
To address these challenges, the Minister has
asked the board to now prepare a Skills Plan
to position the VET sector for the future. The
Skills Plan will build on the current Government
reforms to support the development of a
skilled workforce in Western Australia over the
next 10 years by ensuring a flexible, responsive
and agile training sector.
W: www.stb.wa.gov.au
TM
12
Training Matters
FEATURE
Time to trade up to Masterclass
Four successful pilot programs have paved the way for a new approach to post-trade training in WA.
Trade reform – it’s the buzz word of the moment.
From new, shorter apprenticeships to now
recognising prior learning, the training sector is
pulling out all stops to encourage people to get
a trade qualification.
But what about those people who have already
qualified in their chosen trade? How do we make
sure they stick around?
Providing post-trade career training is one
approach gathering momentum throughout
WA’s registered training organisations.
Already, three RTOs have embarked on pilots
under the Department of Education and
Training’s Masterclass of Trades initiative, with
more expected to join the take-up this year.
Pilot programs in the hospitality, automotive,
metals, and building and construction industries
have already proved a success. Now RTOs have
the opportunity to use these models to extend
the programs across all industries.
Department of Education and Training
Vocational Education and Training Executive
Director Siobhan Mulvey said post-trade training
didn’t have to amount to a full qualification but
could relate to a specific skill set to help a person
progress in their career.
“The program gives graduating apprentices and
qualified tradespeople an opportunity to seek
higher levels of skills and knowledge beyond that
of a certificate III tradesperson,” Ms Mulvey said
The initiative promotes training pathways for
tradespeople so they can gain skills to further
their careers and meet the demands of their
evolving industry.
“This could be a set of specialised skills so they
can meet the demands of a changing industry
or advance into a supervisory role, or the skills
they need to help them capitalise on self
employment opportunities.
Think graduate diplomas for mechanics or
honours degrees for builders.
“If we are going to retain people with leadership
potential in the trades, we have to provide them
1. Kitchen Management
and Supervision
– Hospitality Group Training
What: Fifteen chef managers studied towards
a Certificate IV in Hospitality (Supervision) for
Chefs. The course was for supervisors, team
leaders and staff responsible for planning,
controlling, communicating and monitoring
business information and resources within the
workplace to formalise or develop better
supervisory and management skills.
Brass Monkey chef
Steve Protti was one
of the first chefs to
achieve his Certificate
IV qualifications as
part of Hospitality
Group Training’s
Masterclass pilot.
Why: The drastic skill shortages within the
hospitality industry have impacted on the
leadership and management skills of the industry
as a whole. Across the board, employers have
identified issues relating to designing menus,
rostering staff, costings and budgets, dealing with
conflict, harassment issues and other situations
requiring high level skill responses.
with opportunities to advance their careers
as well as show young people considering an
apprenticeship that there are definite career
pathways they can follow.”
Ms Mulvey said a business plan had been
developed based on the outcomes of the four
pilots to help RTOs develop their own post-trade
training programs.
“The plan involves six steps RTOs can take to
establish a program as part of the Masterclass
of Trades initiative,” she said.
“Based on the success of the pilots, we have
identified the best practice approach to
providing post-trade training opportunities
which will help RTOs ensure training packages
adequately meet industry need and cater for
a busy workforce.”
For further information on establishing a
post-trade training program as part of the
Masterclass initiative, telephone Beryl Caldis
at the Department of Education and Training
on 9264 4659.
How: The course ran for six months (one day
a fortnight) and incorporated classroom
delivery, workshops, on the job assessment and
recognition of prior learning. Subjects included
instructing and managing staff, planning and
delegation, occupational safety and health,
how to cost a roster, and budgeting and
financial accountability.
Response: Participants said the course was
relevant and useful, that it could have been
longer and that it was worth promoting to
colleagues. Employers reported that participants
assumed more workplace responsibility as the
course progressed and that their understanding
and commitment to the business had increased.
They were keen for their employees to be
involved in future programs.
Where to from here: As a result of strong industry
demand and endorsement, a second course is
now running. Feedback indicates the importance
of maintaining the course’s flexible delivery
approach, providing strong, ongoing mentoring
support and opportunities for peer exchange.
FEATURE
Training Matters
2. Trade Contracting
– Housing Industry
Association
What: HIA Training is close to completing
its pilot of a new national Training
Package qualification to help
contractors and those preparing to
operate as contractors to establish and
manage their own business.
Why: To date, tradespeople in the
building industry, particularly in housing,
have set themselves up to operate
as trade contractors, contracting to
builders, home owners and owner
builders. Although technically skilled
in their trade, most have no
experience in how to structure
or manage their company.
How: The course runs once a
week for 26 weeks and consists
of eight units from the Building
Industry Training Package.
These include applying the
Building Code of Australia and
the Australian Standards;
business registration, taxes,
super, workers’ compensation;
managing finances; costing and
quoting for work; occupational
health and safety; resolving
disputes; managing priorities;
and customer service.
Response: Feedback on the
course has been very positive,
although some students feel it
is too long. The number of units
offered or the delivery strategy
used will be reviewed on
completion of all units.
Where to from here: Because
of strong industry support
and its obvious success
among participants, HIA
plans to run another course
in the second half of 2008
and eventually offer it to
all its 1400 apprentices
throughout Australia.
continued…
13
Scarborough stonemason
Daniel Killham recently
finished his Masterclass
training through the Housing
Industry Association and says
he found the course on trade
contracting very useful.
14
Training Matters
FEATURE
3. Automotive
Diagnostics – Swan TAFE
What: Thirteen qualified mechanics and
fourth year apprentices studied advanced
diagnostics and electronics at Swan TAFE’s
state-of-the-art autotronics laboratory in
Carlisle. The numbers were kept low for the
pilot but high interest meant the numbers
could have been bigger.
Why: The need for the course was identified
after surveying the industry. It catered for
people wanting to update their technical
skills or take their knowledge and skills to
a level higher than that of a conventional
apprenticeship.
How: The course ran over 26 weeks.
Participants learnt about diagnostic test
equipment and procedures and electronic
systems, enabling them to diagnose faults
in vehicle systems more effectively and
efficiently in the workplace.
Response: Feedback from participants was
excellent and included several people
wishing to take their training further. Feedback
from employers/industry was also excellent
with many of the participating employers
sending students again this year.
Where to from here: As a result of the pilot,
Swan TAFE is now offering a feeder course
into the advanced technician course. Plans
for the program include adding extra vehicle
systems and competencies so participants
can move to a either a full Advanced
Diploma or Certificate IV in Automotive
Technology, and moving to online content
to make delivery more flexible and include
students from the country.
4. Fluid Power – Swan TAFE
What: Last year the Fitting and Machining
department at Thornlie campus began piloting
the Certificate IV in Fluid Power. There are now
four courses running.
Why: There has always been a demand from
industry for fluid power courses that will allow
tradespeople to upgrade their technical skills
or take their knowledge and skills to a higher
level. This course is designed for leading hands,
supervisors and technical staff. It is also available
to mechanical apprentices in their final year of
technical studies.
How: The course runs over two years with
participants attending 3.5 hours a week. Students
learn about and service hydraulic
and pneumatic components. They also maintain
and fault find fluid power systems
plus design and build control circuits.
These outcomes plus others are delivered in
10 units of competency.
Response: Industry and student feedback is
excellent. The success of the course can be
measured by the unprecedented number of
courses running and the number of students
wanting to enrol.
Swan TAFE’s state-of-the-art autotronics laboratory
in Carlisle housed the Automotive Diagnostics
Masterclass pilot.
Where to from here: Because of the high level
of interest from both industry and participants,
Swan TAFE is considering re-instigating the
Diploma of Fluid Power as an option to allow
students a pathway to a higher level of studies. TM
Hydraulic training rigs used in the fluid power course.
Training Matters
15
Offshore solutions
Programs aimed at attracting skilled migrants to our shores and training those who have already arrived
are helping to address skill shortage gaps in Western Australia.
Offshore skills assessment
Tradespeople in selected occupations who want
to migrate to Australia can now get a head
start on their job prospects before they even
pack their bags as part of a program involving
Education and Training International.
General electricians, cable-jointers, electrical
power line tradespeople, general plumbers,
motor mechanics, refrigeration and
airconditioning mechanics, carpenters, joiners
and bricklayers from India, Sri Lanka, South
Africa, the United Kingdom and the Philippines
can now undergo skills recognition in their home
country so they can start work in skill shortages
areas as soon as they arrive in Australia.
The service is the first of its type in the world
and is an initiative of the Council of Australian
Governments. ETI is part of a consortium that
successfully tendered to deliver the service,
which includes Vocational Education and
Assessment Services (VETASSESS) of Kangan
Batman Institute of TAFE in Victoria, Victoria
University, Box Hill Institute of TAFE and Central
Gippsland Institute of TAFE. ETI is the only
consortium partner outside Victoria, an
indication of the value of ETI’s one-stop shop
approach across TAFEWA colleges.
ETI is the Department of Education and Training’s
international marketing and development
arm. It recruits and enrols international students
into Western Australia’s public primary and
secondary schools, Tuart College and Canning
College as well as 10 TAFEWA colleges. It also
provides international project services for the
Department and TAFEWA colleges, and fosters
strategic international alliances with national and
international education and training providers.
As part of its role in the VETASSESS consortium, ETI
conducted 76 offshore skills assessments on 60 UK
bricklayers through South West Regional College
of TAFE and 16 South African electricians through
Swan TAFE between December 2007 and April
2008. Great Southern TAFE will also be involved
in conducting assessments as the project is rolled
out further.
ETI is currently providing initial assessments in
India and Sri Lanka and establishing assessment
centres in Manila.
Managing Director Phil de Garis said the
response from potential migrants to the service
had been significant.
“In the UK, there has been a marvellous response
and enquiries and registrations for assessments
are increasing,” he said.
“Booked assessments are increasing as the
quality of the service is becoming better known.
“In South Africa, we started with a small initial
number of assessments and this is beginning
to grow.”
Skills migration list courses
Potential skilled migrants aren’t the only ones on
the radar of WA’s education and training system.
Attracting overseas students to take up
training in skill shortage areas is another
priority for the training sector as it tries to keep
up with demand.
ETI works closely with TAFEWA colleges to
promote training in skill shortage areas to
international students. In doing so, the students
may qualify to migrate to Australia as part of the
Australian general skilled migration scheme.
Courses in commercial cookery, Asian cookery,
retail bakery, community welfare work and
horticulture are proving the most popular.
Commercial cookery is particularly in demand
with courses at Swan TAFE, Challenger TAFE and
West Coast TAFE all full. South West Regional
College of TAFE, Central West TAFE and Great
Southern TAFE still have places available.
“Many international students are now choosing
to study in WA because word has got out about
the skill shortages and industry demand for
young, well-educated English speaking people
to fill the gaps,” Mr de Garis said.
“They initially come to study English and once
their levels are high enough they will study a two
year diploma in one of the courses where there is
a skill shortage.
“After completing their training they are
immediately qualified to work and many apply
to stay in WA and ultimately migrate.”
W: eti.wa.edu.au.
Commercial cookery student Joseph Kong.
Zee Chiun (Joseph) Kong is from Pehang
in Malaysia and came to Central West
TAFE in Geraldton to study a Certificate
III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery)
after family living there advised him of the
opportunity and encouraged him to study.
He began studying in February and is due
to finish in December when he hopes to
continue on to a Certificate IV in Hospitality
(Supervision) course. He may even go
to university to complete a degree in
hospitality management in the long term.
Joseph said he chose to study commercial
cookery because he enjoyed cooking and
wanted to be a qualified chef. He also
wanted to learn how to cook Australian
cuisine.
“I hope the qualification will let me work in
the hospitality industry in Australia as I love
the cuisine, find the people very friendly and
feel there are great career opportunities
available,” he said. TM
16
Training Matters
Fremantle Freight and Storage Managing Director Robert Bower with Applecross Senior High School Year 12
students Steele Tomasevich and Elena Gill who are completing school based traineeships in transport administration.
Training Matters
17
VET moves to the top of the class
Pressure to meet future demand
for skilled workers is prompting
industries to team up with
WA schools to train the next
generation.
Vocational Education and Training in Schools is
experiencing a popularity never before seen in
WA schools.
With excellent prospects of securing an
apprenticeship or traineeship – in some cases
while they are still at school – more students
are opting to choose a VET pathway in Years 11
and 12.
Last year more than half of all Year 11 and 12
students participated in VET in Schools, enabling
them to earn certificate qualifications as well as
their WA Certificate of Education.
And with increased numbers come increased
diversity as schools work with local communities
and industries to develop career options for
their students.
Gone are the days of schools simply offering
a Certificate I in Hospitality or Certificate I
in Business. Qualifications in the mining,
defence, transport and logistics, nursing and
electrotechnology industries are just some of
the diverse range of programs being offered
to students.
“In areas of identified skill shortages, this is
particularly the case and we are seeing some
exciting partnerships emerging.”
School based apprenticeships are now offered
in 57 trades, while school based traineeships and
the School Apprenticeship Link program are well
entrenched in schools throughout the State.
Ms Micale said new requirements for secondary
graduation next year would enable even greater
participation by school students in VET in Schools
and increase opportunities for these students to
go to university.
Department of Education and Training VET
Teaching and Learning Director Brenda Micale
said VET in Schools programs were more varied
and effective because of the strong partnerships
between industry, community and schools.
“Schools, registered training providers and
industry are increasingly recognising the benefits
of working together to develop programs
that provide secondary school students with
genuine pathways to higher qualifications and
employment,” Ms Micale said.
In 2007, more than 16,000 students were involved
in VET in Schools programs across the State in 154
schools. This included more than 52 per cent of
the Year 11 and 12 student population.
“During 2008, 12 industry specific courses are
being developed by the Curriculum Council
based on training packages. Students will be
able to sit optional exams which can contribute
to their Tertiary Entrance Ranking (TER) as well as
provide pathways to vocational education and
training,” she said.
“This is a very exciting time for VET in Schools
and, with continued support from industry and
community, the possibilities are endless.”
continued…
WorkSmart
A program aimed at building pathways from
school to industry to help combat the skill
shortages in WA’s defence industry is going from
strength to strength.
Education, Training and Articulation (PEETA)
initiative, a long term strategy involving schools,
TAFEWA and industry to develop a sustainable
naval support industry.
Sixteen students from 13 secondary schools in
the Fremantle-Peel district were involved in the
WorkSmart program during Term 4 last year.
A similar number will take part in the program
during Term 4 this year.
“It is crucial that these initiatives have industry
support. Thanks go to Austal Ships and Tenix for
supporting our pilot WorkSmart program with
their work experience placements,” she said.
The program is run by the Defence Industry Skills
Unit at Challenger TAFE in conjunction with the
Centre for Applied Engineering and Shipbuilding.
Austal Ships Human Resources Executive
Manager Linda Devereux said WorkSmart had
presented a perfect solution to Austal’s need
for skilled workers.
Students get a Certificate I in Engineering
after a five week accelerated learning
program including three weeks at Challenger
TAFE and two weeks’ work experience at Tenix
or Austal Ships.
Challenger TAFE Defence Industry Pathways
Manager Dr Jane Lorrimar said WorkSmart
was part of the wider Promoting Engineering,
“We couldn’t have hoped for a more positive
outcome from this experience. If we can get
this many apprentices from each program,
we’ll meet all our future skilling and employment
needs, and I’m sure any other employer who
offers work experience to the students would
have a similar result,” she said.
Challenger TAFE lecturer Paul O’Loughlin instructs Rockingham
Senior High School student Toby Bennett during the WorkSmart
program which promotes careers in the defence industry.
18
Training Matters
Newman Mining Academy
A new concept in VET in Schools started in the
Pilbara this year.
Newman Senior High School is offering students
interested in working in the mining and allied
trades or engineering an opportunity to join the
Newman Mining Academy Program.
It’s one of the Department of Education and
Training’s specialist programs and caters for
students in Years 10 to 12 who aspire to an
apprenticeship in the mining trades or want
to go on to study a mining related degree at
university.
Newman Mining Academy students take in the
action at Macmahon’s ore body 18 mine site.
Transport and logistics
A concerted effort by the transport and logistics
industry to target school students has resulted in
the number of secondary students involved in
industry training programs more than trebling in
the past three years.
One hundred and ninety six students are
involved in VET in Schools programs in the
transport and logistics industry this year,
compared with 59 in 2005. This follows a
proactive approach to increase awareness
of the industry among students, parents and
teachers in the Fremantle-Peel district with
the help of the Department’s Enterprise and
Vocational Education coordinators.
This has included information sessions for
teachers and employers, visits to schools to
promote careers in transport and logistics, linking
businesses with schools to establish VET pathways
and, most recently, a workshop to introduce
employers to structured workplace learning and
school based traineeships.
The Transport Forum WA has been a driver
behind the growth, so much so that it has made
Principal Mike Morgan said 21 Year 10 students
had been selected for the academy this year,
attracted by the opportunities for fast track
employment into the mining sector through
apprenticeships and cadetships and the chance
to achieve their WACE while undertaking
specialist training.
the promotion of school based traineeships in
partnership with a number of its large member
employers part of its business development plan.
A school based traineeship officer employed
by the forum has been responsible for creating
industry-school connections that have resulted in
more than 20 students being placed with Perth
companies through school based traineeships.
Transport Forum WA Business Manager Navinder
Singh said the strategic approach had made
a significant difference to changing industry’s
attitude to VET in Schools.
“The focus has shifted to the point where it is
now the employers who are approaching us
for assistance in establishing partnerships with
schools rather than vice versa,” he said.
Transport and Storage Industry Training Council
Executive Director Silvio Ranieri said the industry
recognised the worth of promoting careers in
the industry to secondary students as a way of
addressing its skill shortage.
“With an ageing workforce and poor public
image the industry has to be proactive if we
are going to meet increasing demand from a
booming economy,” Mr Ranieri said.
“The program was developed in consultation
with industry and the community to meet the
need for a program to fast track people into
careers in the mining industry,” Mr Morgan said.
“The school already has a long established
relationship with local mining companies,
including BHP, HWE Mining, Macmahon and
Westrac. This is another way we can help to
provide our students with genuine career
pathways while also helping the industry to
identify prospective local employees.”
The Newman Mining Academy Program
complements the school’s existing School
Apprenticeship Link program for students aspiring
to obtain a mechanical, fabrication or electrical
apprenticeship at the end of Year 11.
In the past three years 100 per cent of students
who completed the SAL course were offered
one or more apprenticeships – a trend that is
expected to continue with the academy.
“We have found that by building partnerships
with local schools we have generated a
renewed interest in our industry and started
getting students thinking about potential
career pathways.” TM
Training Matters
19
Upcoming professional development workshops
Visit vetinfonet.det.wa.edu.au for full program details and to register.
Cost: $110 inc GST for full day workshops (includes meals); $55 inc GST for half day workshops (morning/afternoon tea included)
Sector workshops
Practitioner workshops
10 June or
1 Sept
VET in the New Western Australian
Certificate of Education,
City West Function Centre,
8.30am–12.15pm
10 June or
1 Sept
School’s Out, City West Function Centre,
9.00am–4.30pm
17 June
Assessing at Higher AQF Levels, City West Function Centre, 9.00am–4.30pm
2 June
Working with Training Packages, City
West Function Centre, 9.00am–4.30pm
2 July or
23 Sept
Recognition of Prior Learning – Done Well,
City West Function Centre, 9.00am–4.30pm
22 July
AQTF Internal/Self Audit, City West
Function Centre,
9.00am–4.30pm
29 July
Action Learning, City West Function Centre, 8.30am–12.15pm
7 August
Emerging Facilitation Strategies, City West Function Centre, 9.00am–4.30pm
1 August
Literacy and the VET Practitioner, City West Function Centre, 8.30am–4.30pm
Sept
Train and Assess in the Workplace, City West Function Centre, 9.00am–4.30pm
9 Sept
Introduction to Assessment, City West Function Centre, 9.00am–4.30pm
11 Sept
Consistency of Assessment: Validation, City West Function Centre, 9.00am–4.30pm
18 Sept
Designing Assessment Tools, City West Function Centre, 9.00am–4.30pm
2 Sept
Engaging the Disengaged Learner, City West Function Centre, 8.30am–12.15pm
August
12 August
2 Sept
An Overview of Vocational Education
and Training, City West Function
Centre, 8.30am–12.15pm
Submission Writing, City West Function
Centre, 9.00am–4.30pm
Telling Ain’t Teaching and Listening
Ain’t Learning, City West Function
Centre, 8.30am–12.15pm
Make your message matter
Advertise in Training Matters – WA’s premier training sector magazine
12,000 copies distributed quarterly to TAFEWA campuses,
registered training organisations, VET practitioners, industry
advisory groups and other key personnel within the field.
Telephone 9270 308 or email trainingmatters@det.wa.edu.au
Training Matters
Volume Two June/July 2008 |
Tradies trade up
to Masterclass
The big picture:
WA training
profile
Skills search
heads overseas
Big idea
for small business
www.det.wa.edu.au
Before I went out into the wide world, I went to the world wide web.
Jobs Board is a free online vacancy listing for prospective apprentices and trainees on ApprentiCentre’s website. Potential apprentices
and trainees can view job vacancies, register as job seekers and receive SMS updates. Employers are able to advertise apprentice and
trainee vacancies in one place and in real time. It’s free and simple to use. Go to apprenticentre.wa.gov.au