11 Jun 2024 - Skills Facts 288

Skills Facts 288 has been released with all the latest news from Skills Tasmania...

In today's newsletter:

• 2024 Tasmanian Training Awards
• Collaborate and Elevate event wrap up
• Training and Work Pathways Program (TWPP)
• Employer of Choice update
• Employer of Choice Assist
• Changes are coming to Australian Apprenticeships from 1 July 2024
• Assistance for Apprentices completing tax returns

2024 Tasmanian Training Awards

Applications for the 2024 Awards have now closed.

130 applications were received over 13 categories, highlighting the outstanding work being done in the VET and skills sector in Tasmania. 

Nominees have received an email advising that shortlisting is underway. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview to determine the 2024 finalists.

Awards Timeline

May/June – shortlisting of all award categories

June/July – semi-finalists interviewed

6 September – Gala Presentation Dinner, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston

December – Australian Training Awards gala presentation dinner, Canberra

For more information contact Jacqui Maclaine on 03 6165 6008 or 0439 305 981, or visit

www.skills.tas.gov.au/tta

Collaborate and Elevate event wrap up

Over 100 people attended the Collaborate and Elevate event, which brought together key industry stakeholders and government representatives for an exchange of ideas on Tasmania’s workforce, was held on 29 May at the Country Club in Launceston. Its purpose was to provide an opportunity for industry, training organisations and government to share information about training, education and workforce challenges, and identify emerging skills needs and concerns. The release of the Tasmanian Skills Plan later in 2024 was also highlighted.

The event included the signing of the latest Industry Skills Compact by the Australian Computer Society’s Tasmanian Branch, TasICT and the Tasmanian Government, cementing a shared vision for investing in the future of the ICT industry. Further information on the Skills Tasmania website

Training and Work Pathways Program (TWPP)

The Training and Work Pathways Program (TWPP) 2024 grant round is now open.

This year the grant is being jointly administered by Skills Tasmania and Jobs Tasmania.

The program will continue to fund projects that assist individuals into training and the job market by providing targeted assistance through the Pathways to training and employmentstream. This stream is open to community service or not-for-profit organisations, businesses and Group Training Organisations (GTOs), and the Regional Jobs Hubs Network and will support the delivery of non-nationally recognised training and other activities that assist people onto a training or work pathway.

For 2024, the program will include a new Youth Support stream aimed at supporting programs of up to 24 months in duration for 15–25-year-olds who are disengaged or at risk of disengagement, and/or more vulnerable to experiencing disadvantage and/or complex barriers to employment, education or training. This stream will support programs to allow young people to engage in a pathway to participate fully in their communities, society and economy. This includes a focus on young people experiencing unstable house or are at risk of homelessness. Information on eligible applicants can be found in the Grant Program Guidelines.

The 2024 Training and Work Pathways Program - Grant Program Guidelines are here.

Applications close on Wednesday 2:00pm (AEST) 26 June 2024.

All enquiries can be directed to the Grant Program Manager on 03 6165 6065 or TWPP@skills.tas.gov.au

Further details can also be found on the Skills Tasmania website.

Employer of Choice update

Is your organisation one of our next Tasmanian Employers of Choice?

The Employer of Choice Recognition Program recognises and promotes Tasmanian organisations that, regardless of their size, are creating supportive and productive workplaces.

If you think your organisation has what it takes to be recognised as a 2024 Tasmanian Employer of Choice then we encourage you to apply.

Employers of Choice demonstrate:

• a commitment to investing in staff wellbeing
• support inclusive practices
• promote a positive work life balance
• demonstrate best practice through their workplace policies and procedures.

Join Jobs Tasmania in an online information session for prospective applicants to be held on Thursday 13 June 2024. Register your attendance here: https://bit.ly/44ZIzWs

Employer of Choice Assist

Employer of Choice Assist is a free service that gives tailored assistance to small businesses to help them build a positive workplace culture.

For businesses with 20 or fewer employees, the service will assist with:

• attracting new employees
• keeping great employees for longer
• developing workforce policies and procedures
• building a positive workplace culture
• being recognised as an Employer of Choice.

Employer of Choice Assist is delivered by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Changes are coming to Australian Apprenticeships from 1 July 2024

From 1 July 2024, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is engaging Australian Apprenticeship Service Delivery Providers to deliver focused help that better supports apprentices and their employers from before the apprenticeship starts to its successful end.

Details here  www.apprenticeships.gov.au/about-apprenticeships/provider-transition

Assistance for Apprentices completing tax returns

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is providing help for apprentices completing tax returns. There is a handy guide for apprentices to help understand what can and can’t be claimed this tax time, record keeping and claiming for tools and equipment.

More information is available at www.ato.gov.au/keepingrecords