Spreading the message
Hello
Welcome again to SkillsOne. It's been a hectic few weeks at the Institute. Kathryn Lees, our Operations Manager, and I have been travelling around Australia launching SkillsOne Television and skillsone.com.au to those who could not make it to the launch event in Sydney.
Positive feedback
There have been really positive responses across the board from industry, employers, TAFEs, private training providers, parents and the media.
We have engaged in a lot of radio and newspaper interviews and the feedback we're receiving from the public is that our initiatives will help to address the skills shortage within Australia. Many people are asking us how they can get involved with what we're doing.
Skills for the future
With the skills shortage such a pressing issue across the country, Australians with trade and technical skills are taking centre stage now and into the future. There are currently a number of incentives and programs available to people interested in getting involved in a trade skill career.
Some of these include:
- The Apprenticeship Wage Top-Up - a tax free payment of $1,000 per year for first and second year apprentices under 30 in trades facing skills shortages.
- Grant funding of up to $50,000 for training organisations to work with industry and local employers to develop and implement fast track apprenticeships.
- Employer incentives and assistance of $4,000 per apprentice.
If you'd like to find out more please visit the DEST website.
Star Rating Scheme and Teacher Awards
The trials for the Star Rating Scheme are going well, with several already completed. If you're interested in participating, you can find more information and application forms at The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence site.
Nominations for Trade Teacher of the Year Awards close soon, so be sure to nominate your teacher, colleague, or yourself for a chance to win $10,000 and be crowned the National Trade Teacher of the Year.
Get involved!
We continue to have a great response to the SkillsOne website and SkillsOne Television with lots of people interested in finding more about trade skills. We've also received many story ideas and videos through My SkillsOne about your careers and experiences in trades, so please keep them coming. If you haven't already, then please join up and be part of SkillsOne.
And don't forget to check our TV Guide and tune into Channel 183 (Aurora) on Foxtel/Austar from Monday through to Sundays.
Best Regards,
Brian Wexham
CEO, The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence
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