Posts Tagged ‘RPL’
Get Ready for Skills for All
If you are operating in the South Australian training market then ‘get ready’ is the key message from the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST). Get ready for:
- the application process to open in the last week or two of October 2011;
- the course (qualifications and skills sets/licence outcomes) list in November 2011 – could be a specialist occupation, state priority (such as Defence, Mining, Arts), foundation skills and/or meet specific industry needs; and
- the price list available in December 2011.
Prices will be detailed at a unit of competency level and will vary depending on AQF levels. The rates will be based upon an average of User Choice, Productivity Places Program and TAFESA’s recurrent funding amounts (referred to as FSI500) together with a comparison of interstate VET prices. Payments are planned on units of competency completion (RTOs will need to manage their cash flow well) paid on a monthly cycle with bonus payments for full completions.
Certificate I and II will be fully subsidised, Certificate III and IV 80% subsidised and Diploma and Advanced Diploma 70% subsidised with concessions available (Healthcare/Veterans Card) and 1 skills set/year for eligible applicants. DFEEST will publish a minimum and maximum fee to be paid to make up the difference between the subsidised % and the full costs. RPL will be fully funded.
The Quality Directorate is moving into the area of contract and purchasing quality. Applications for Skills for All will be online, no fees to apply, with no closing date and it’s recommended that the RTO’s CEO gain a log in. RTOs can work on their application over time until they are ready to ‘submit’ their submission. If providers submit in December 2o11, the Minister will make some providers an offer with contract negotiations over January – March 2012 and the first list of Skills for All providers will be made public in April 2012. Fact Sheet 2 Applying to be a Skills for All Provider procedure details the process for applications and assessments.
If you are a User Choice provider and want to continue after July 2012, you need to register as a Skills for All provider. Providers may also wish to register for VET fee help with the option of income contingent loans for students.
Now for the main game, what are the selection criteria (Fact Sheet 3) for providers? Well, it’s all about performance…
- regulatory record (information will be shared with DFEEST and the regulator, ASQA);
- contract compliance;
- financial health (of the whole organisation, not only the RTO);
- number of graduates;
- student and employer satisfaction (quality indicator reports via Training Packages); and
- graduate outcomes.
Tips for providers: focus on your strengths, where industry/client demand and your performance is high, where you have strong industry connections and excellent graduate outcomes.
DFEEST is taking an evidence based approach to Skills for All providers with data and evidence to be provided about:
- Meeting SA Guidelines for RTOs;
- Meeting student learning needs;
- the RTO;
- Training Package/s; and
- Each qualification.
Review Fact Sheet 4 Preparing to Apply to be a Skills for All Training Provider for all the details on specific evidence – if you don’t have a workforce plan for your RTO and/or a recent Training Needs Analysis then this has to be the catalyst!
A few final things..
- What RTOs put in their application will form part of the contract requirements;
- The contract will be monitored with an annual review, reporting and claims requirements, benchmarking across similar courses with triggers if you are an ‘outlier’ in terms of performance/price or receive complaints against your RTO; and
- Information on Skills in the Workplace will be available in October 2011.
Throughout 2012, the level of interest in workforce development, with RTOs building their own workforce plan’s and undertaking professional development in workforce development and planning, has significantly increased as leaders are positioning themselves to be primed for Skills for All and national reforms – are you?
Want to be the first to get the news and info? Subscribe to the Workforce Planning Tools blog and contact our Head Workforce Planner, Wendy Perry via wendy@workforceblueprint.com.au for assistance with your workforce plan.
PS. Have you seen the latest announcement from Traineeship and Apprenticeship Services about additional User Choice funding for Existing Worker Certificate III Training Contracts? For commencing contracts on or after1.9.11, all existing worker trainees under a Cert III qual will attract a User Choice subsidy in South Australia. For further info, contact Chris Pyne, Manager, Traineeship and Apprenticeship Programs.
National Workforce Development Fund, Skills Australia, NCVER, Skills for All, news, views, blogs
National Workforce Development Fund - On Wednesday 10 August 2011, the National Workforce Development Fund (NWDF) opened with $558 million for 2011-12 to 2014-15 and the due date for applications is 12 noon 30 September 2011*…
Putting skills at the heart of the economy - Anticipated by leaders in skills and workforce development and coming at a crucial time, the Putting skills at the heart of the economy 2011 conference held on 21 July 2011 at The Crown Conference Centre, Melbourne, was very well attended with a great line up of speakers…
2011 NCVER No Frills Conference - I haven’t missed many NCVER conferences over the years and I’m glad that I attended the 20th No Frills Conference in Coffs Harbour this week as it gave me an opportunity to take some time out to think of new initiatives and identify ideas to explore with others…
Skills for Prosperity and the 2011 Federal Budget – On the 3rd May 2011, Skills Australia launched their most significant paper to date on workforce development titled Skills for Prosperity A roadmap for Vocational Education and Training…
Evidence based approach to workforce and client demand - Increasingly you are being asked to provide evidence of demand for jobs and skills that are linked to your contracts, funding and proposals as well as your programs and services, and that reach specific outcomes and targets…
Skills for All and Opportunities for You - Skills for All, the Strategic Direction for Vocational Education and Training in South Australia 2011-2014 has been published and was great weekend reading with the pink highlighter pen out…
Congratulations to:
Skillsbook website providers a home for credentials – use Skillsbook to build skills profiles for RPL, profile job roles, undertake Training Needs Analysis and build competency frameworks. Download Skillsbook for iphone too.
RDNS Education Centre for being shortlisted for small training provider of the year at the South Australian Training Awards – see you on the night, 2nd September 2011 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
National Crime Check – new website launched where you can submit your police check online.
Australian VET Leaders – potential, emerging and current Join the 400 strong members of this LinkedIn community discussing VET issues and opportunities. Are you an Australian VET Leader?
Training Needs Analysis Workshops Recently Service Skills Australia presented a professional development opportunity ideal for practitioners facilitating internal Training Needs Analysis (TNA), working with teams, enterprises and organisations, up to major projects such as large sporting complexes, around Australia. Workforce BluePrint was contracted to facilitate the workshops and Wendy Perry and we received feedback like,
Thank you for the material from the recent workshop on TNA. It is most help full and appreciated. Can I say that I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and as it gave me a better insight into the value of TNA and its execution.
Here are all the comments from participants.
SMART Business Association The SMART Business Association website is being designed and it will be the site to be on if you run a business in Southern Adelaide or do business in the South – all with searchable categories and extras to help you to grow your business and local market. Get a listing as part of your membership for only $50, email Garry Triffett for your membership form.
Latest Presentations and Workshops Workshops, conferences, professional development activities on leading edge topics. Bookings are currently being taken into 2012 – get in quickly with your preferred dates!
Customer Friendly Flying and Travel in Australia
Queen’s birthday long weekend in Rockhampton
Hobby blogging as featured in SA Defence Business Magazine
Think Food – Think Consistency, Quality and Trust as featured for in business magazine
Barossa Valley – can we have it all plus a mini break?
Lazy Ballerina, K1, Three Brothers Arms, Longview and Royal Oak
Succeeding in your first full time job
What have we been up to?
- Development of workforce plans and competency frameworks for various clients across Australia in the Agriculture, Banking and Finance, Building and Construction, Civil Construction, Community Services, Contact Centre, Defence, Disability, Education, Employment Services, Energy, Events, Food and Wine, Government, Health, Higher Education, Manufacturing, Mining and Resources, Telecommunications, Tourism, Vocational Education and Training (VET), and Water sectors
- Consultant for the design and development of Ergon Energy’s Capability Framework, 2011
- Project management of the South Australian Contact Centre Survey for ATA and the Department of Trade and Economic Development, 2011
- Project management of the WorkLife Balance Innovations Project for SafeWork SA including facilitation of Masterclasses, 2011
- Facilitation of the Women influencing Defence and Resources Industries (WiDRI) Community of Practice, 2011
- Recognition of Prior Learning Project for Regional Development Australia, Kangaroo Island, June 2011
- Skills Australia information session, May 2011
- DFEEST SA Works Strategic Planning Workshop, May 2011
- Defence Teaming Centre networking, May 2011
- Workforce development and planning workshop for small-medium sized enterprises (SMEs), Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, Mildura, May 2011
- ACPET and WEA networking event, May 2011
- Workforce plan for South West TAFE in Victoria, May 2011
- South Australian Skills and Workforce Forum, April 2011
- Women influencing Defence and Resource Industries (WiDRI) Community of Practice launch, April 2011
- Women in Leadership, CEDA luncheon, April 2011
- Can we have it all? Regional Development Australia, Barossa Valley, April 2011
- SMART Friday Night drinks at the Vic, March 2011
- Think Food, Food SA, March 2011
- Work Life Balance Masterclass and Tools project, March 2011
- Workforce planning for service success, Jobs Australia, March 2011 and May 2011
- Cellar Door Wine Festival, February 2011
- RPL system design, February 2011
- SMART business breakfast, February 2011
- Workforce planning for local government, Queanbeyan Local Government Association NSW, February 2011
- Development a regional workforce plans and client analysis for Job Service Australia and Disability Employment Service providers, 2011
- Regional workforce plan for the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, January 2011
- Australia Day mini break at Port Elliot, January 2011
- Tour Down Under, Willunga stage finish, January 2011
- Business and workforce profile for Kangaroo Island, January 2011
Contact us…
The very best way to contact us is via 1. email wendy@workforceblueprint.com.au , 2 text 0416 150 491, 3. Call 0416 150 491, 4. call our office number 08 8387 9800, 5. fax 08 8387 9820.
If you do not wish to receive copies of our enews please send an email to wendy@workforceblueprint.com.au with “Thanks but no thanks” in the subject line – we’ll understand.
National Workforce Development Fund
On Wednesday 10 August 2011, the National Workforce Development Fund (NWDF) opened with $558 million for 2011-12 to 2014-15 and the due date for applications is 12 noon 30 September 2011*. $148 million is available during 2011-12 which is made up of $73 million under this NWDF and $74 million under existing arrangements for the Critical Skills Investment Fund.
As the new Workforce Productivity Agency isn’t yet established (from 1 July 2012), DEEWR is managing the NWDF for this financial year using a model based upon the Enterprise Based Productivity Places Program with applications through the Industry Skills Councils.
Partnering Organsiations (POs) including enterprises, professional associations, industry bodies, lead agents for a consortia and employment service providers can apply (not Registered Training Organisations but as least 1 RTO must be involved). The partnership for an application must involved 1 or more POs, RTO/s and an Industry Skills Council (ISC).
“A key element of the Fund is to encourage organisations to undertake workforce planning and skills needs analysis to develop training solutions that align with business goals.” Workforce BluePrint is working with RTOs from around Australia in developing their skills and capability in workforce development and planning, RPL and Training Needs Analysis. Read comments and feedback from participants in our programs, workshops and projects. Use tools and templates to help you to develop your own workforce plan and for your clients.
Aged care ($25 million) and construction sectors ($25 million) are priorities linked to the mining boom, roll out of the National Broadband Network and housing demand. There is direct link with the Cleaner Energy Future Plan as, “funding will also be allocated for projects that enhance workers’ energy efficiency skills and develop skills which support the use of low emissions technology or support the development of clean energy skills in the construction sector and across all sectors”, up to $10 million.
Proposals need to be submitted to Industry Skills Councils with most ISC’s asking for applications by late August – mid September 2011*. ISC’s will call for proposals, convene an Assessment Panel with DEEWR to identify priorities for funding against the Assessment Criteria, submit applications to DEEWR, maintain contact with applicants, monitor the partnership arrangements, receive $$ and disperse funds, collect data and undertake reporting.
Training through the Fund must be for an Eligble Qualification, for new workers Certificate II-Vocational Graduate Diploma and existing workers Certificate III-Vocational Graduate Diploma. Qualifications eligible for funding are mapped to the Priority Occupation List (POL – available soon) with each ISC together with DEEWR outlining priority areas.
“RTOs delivering under the Fund must offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)…for each participant in the program.”
Have you got a partnership with the relevant Industry Skills Councils? Follow the links below to take you to specific pages on the National Workforce Development Fund applications:
Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council
Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council
Manufacturing Skills Australia
Service Skills Australia and say hi to Bernard Moore in the video
Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council
Interested in assistance to develop a Workforce Plan, undertake a Training Needs Analysis or build your capability in workforce development and planning? Get in touch with our Head Workforce Planner, Wendy Perry via wendy@workforceblueprint.com.au .
CEDA Skills and Workforce Development Forum
The CEDA Skills and Workforce Development Forum held on 14 April 2011 in Adelaide focussed on the link between skills, innovation and productivity.
Opened by the Hon Jack Snelling MP, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education an interesting line up of speakers provided these main messages (as interpreted by Workforce BluePrint):
- Malclom Jackman, CEO Elders Ltd – move towards a high performing organisation, Go 2 client = client focussed sales, recruitment from the widest possible talent pool, challenges in managing a widespread, remote workforce
- Professor Sue Richardson, Principal Research Fellow, NILS, Flinders University – skills depth which is difficult to shift and skills breadth which is more easily transferable, stock of Human Capital = inflows/outflows, depreciation of skills
- Adrian Smith, Chair, SA Training & Skills Commission, Managing Director SYDAC – SA needs a wise investment in skills = evidence based, higher level, qualifications and skills
- Guy Roberts, Managing Director, Penrice Soda Products – moving beyond “stay in business training”, current competencies – target competencies, competency based job descriptions, graduated career ladder; value for money to adding value to creating value; change management – over educate and over communicate
- Chris Wood, Manager Corporate Human Resources and Organisational Development, Santos – huge people challenge with 80 000+ people needed by 2020, 6 years to develop employee to “autonomy”
- Tom Karmel, Managing Director, NCVER – SA against Australia has an over representation of Certificate I’s and II’s, we need higher levels of general education, shortages are about churn they aren’t structural = need for retention stratagies
A whole range of workforce development and planning gaps and issues were raised and I’d like to ask:
What is the number 1 priority for skills and workforce development in South Australia? What about for your organisation? What strategies could be implemented to address these issues and gaps?
For those people working on the Skills for All implementation I’d suggest we to:
- undertake a training needs analysis beyond what is on an RTO’s scope and that matches competencies with job roles and organisation capability
- make RPL opt out of not opt in to i.e. all clients/learners undertake an up front RPL process unless they choose not to
- skills development is about foundation, multi-literacies and transferable skills (breadth) as well as industry and job specific skills (depth)
Overall, South Australia needs an evidence based approach to determining workforce demand for jobs and skills over the short and longer term (for enterprises, industries and regions) – this is the number 1 priority for me.
PS. A statewide skills stock-take would be great too!
Skills for All and Opportunities for You
Skills for All, the Strategic Direction for Vocational Education and Training in South Australia 2011-2014 has been published and was great weekend reading with the pink highlighter pen out!
What does Skills for All offer?
- extra $194 million over the next 6 years for an additional 100 000 places
- transition to a National VET Regulator in 2011
- income contingent loans and concession fees for low income earners
- Skills in the Workplace initiative to upskill employees in support of their workforce development – sharing the costs with government where more than 200 employees – at least 50%; 100-199 employees at least 25%; less than 100 employees at least 10%
- independent and endorsed workforce development advisors
- subsidies – full for Cert I and II; 80% for Cert III and IV; 70% for Dip and Adv Dip; up to 100% for priority qualifications, critical skills and specialised occupations
- designated skills set training once/year based upon advice from industry
- move towards fully contestable training market
- from 1.7.11 the Office of TAFE SA will be formed
- training information portal
- plain language document on provider services and outcomes for students, awareness of opportunities to feedback concerns or complaints from students and regular info campaigns
- $6.4 million in additional funding for foundation skills and Adult and Community Education (ACE)
- reduction in VET cost per hour closer to the national VET average
- Skills for All providers will receive subsidies for delivery in rural locations that reflect additional costs with thin markets
- targeted professional development initiatives that address contemporary education and training and workforce development practice
- nominated capability building initiatives to ensure good practice for providers
- a new Employer Recognition Program initially recognising employers of apprentices and expanding over time for employers who are committed to developing the skills of their workforce
- employers co-investment with Government in integrate workforce development plans, encourage industry uptake of workforce development, industry investment and skill development for new and emerging industries and technologies
- workforce development support including toolkits, workshops and resources
So here’s some ideas on what to consider now so you are ready for the roll out:
- training providers must demonstrate the demand for skills and jobs, links to industry and funding required – this means taking an evidence based approach and analysing workforce, industry and regional demand
- registration and qualification requirements as a Skills for All training provider – this is additional to the minimum AQTF standards and you’ll need to be on the look out for when DFEEST releases the requirements
- increased focus on recognition of prior learning and identifying student learning needs – think about RPL as opt out of not op in and who you can tap into for learner support
- at enrolment students and their provider will develop a customised training plan – do you already have this in place or will you need to develop a template and tools?
- the subsidy price will be paid monthly to qualified providers based upon module completions – how will your cash flow work and what systems will you need to put in place for reporting?
- one website will have information about Skills for All providers – how will you keep this up to date and what about your own website, maybe time for review and some advice?
- DFEEST will provide information to students – how could you maximise this promotional opportunity and do you need to rethink your marketing strategy?
- ACE partners - who do you know? who can you work with? do/can/will you deliver foundation skills?
- VET costing – do you know all the inputs, all the outputs and the return on the investment?
- Delivery in rural locations – get familiar with the Accessibility Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) to determine regional loadings and classify your target markets based upon industries, student cohorts and regions – locality, SLA and postcode are important data sets here
- need to better engage and support SME’s – facilitate a workforce development style conversation and identify all their needs
- employer recognition – what about the commitment of your own organisation to workforce development? are you leading the way?
- focus on workforce development – this is moving beyond training and assessment and workforce skills development towards a workforce planning approach
What’s next – have a look at the key implementation milestones with the Skills in the Workplace program due for August 2011 with most activities kicking off publicly from June 2011 through until 2012-13.
Make sure you subscribe for further updates and what you are looking forward to?