Browse Articles
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First team-based auto tech competition now open
SACHS Masters will take place in July 2008 and is a rare chance for experienced (Certificate III qualified, and at least 22 years of age) Automotive Technicians to put their talents and abilities to use in a competitive environment.
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Solutions for labour shortages on the land
"Farming is significantly more than a block of dirt with an animal or plant on it," so says the National Farmers Federation labour shortage recommendations for 2008 which includes attracting seasonal workers from overseas and the student population while improving public perception and training.
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Government moves on training and education reforms
The Rudd government is implementing promised initiatives in education, jobs, and training to address the skills shortage.
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Career advisors working with vocational educators key
Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Australia Association of Career Counselors (AACC) national conference in Hobart. It confirmed to me that their determination, persistence and professionalism will pave the way for working closer with vocational institutions and educators.
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Tiffany Burdack - Agribusiness student
When Tiffany's Principal recommended she try studying Agriculture at TAFE, neither of them could have expected it would result in Tiffany having a scholarship to study farming in the UK for three months!
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2007 Trade Teacher of the Year selected for 2020 Summit
Marion Fitzpatrick, National Trade Teacher of the Year 2007, has been selected to attend the Australia 2020 Summit in April 19-20, 2008.
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Tracey Hickmott - Environmental officer
Not many recent graduates have quite so much variety in their work - and as much freedom to pursue their passions - as this Environmental Officer in rural New South Wales. Her average day could be dealing with everything from feral animals to public speaking.
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Boost for women and sport apprenticeships
Aussie women will have more opportunities to fulfil sporting leadership positions due to a new round of funding grants which will help women undertake accredited training and development in coaching, officiating, governance and sports management.
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Indigenous communities may benefit from stake in mining projects
Remote and Indigenous Australian communities could receive equity in the latest mineral developments, which may help create education opportunities, apprenticeships, employment and sustainable economic growth and social wellbeing for Indigenous communities.
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Flexible working hours: key to skills shortage?
WA's Chamber of Commerce and Industry believes the skills shortage could be curbed if flexible work hours were offered, especially to women.
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Sean Campbell -Twin Rope Operator aka Industrial Abseiler
Sean received a call at 2am to let him know that a large sheet of metal was hanging off a skyscraper, connected only by a few corroded welds. It was his job to go where no other tradie could physically go, for Sean is an Industrial Abseiller.
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Apprentice & trainee statistics released
Quarterly apprentice-and trainee statistics on the Australian vocational education and training system, conducted in September 2007, have recently been released by the The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).
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Mark Hartley - Consulting Arborist
Mark didn't want to work with trees. Not one bit. His family worked as arborist practioners - think of them as 'Tree Doctors'. Then, he was given a challenge.
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Hope on the horizon for Dubbo employers
The GoWest skills-shortage initiative is starting to prove effective, with a Dubbo automotive service business hoping to recruit redundant, though skilled and potentially valuable and useful, workers from interstate - as the plan hoped.
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Trent Fordham: Ranger
When Trent Fordham left school he wanted to enter the Police Force, but, somehow, ended up with a job that allows him to ride around on a motorbike all day and, unlike in the Police Force, not have to deal with the tough side of law enforcement all that much.
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Skills focus on Horticulture
This week SkillsOne presents a TV special examining careers in our second largest agricultural industry: Horticulture.
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Vocational International Baccalaureate being considered
A more vocational International Baccalaureate diploma, is being considered to aim to attract a wider group of students wishing to take the IB in place of the Higher School Certificate and it is thought that this will prepare students better for career options such as trade apprenticeships and traineeships.
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Top TAFEs acknowledged
The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence is forging ahead with independent assessments recognising outstanding work in trade skills training among TAFE and other registered training organisations (RTOs).
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Trading UP!
Why Illawarra TAFE is at the top of the international training game in carpentry, shopfitting and detailed joinery, painting and decorating and brick/block-laying at its Wollongong Campus.
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Fast-track apprentice programs aim to snip away skills-shortage
Canberra's hairdressers and panel-beaters, always on the lookout for apprentice assistants, may find much-needed relief in the Canberra Institute of Technology's (CIT) latest decision to introduce new accelerated apprenticeships.
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TAFE sees growth in all areas
Boosts in funding, partnerships, building and technological developments at Port Augusta TAFE in South Australia has created excellent new opportunities and a potentially rich learning environment for budding apprentices and trade-workers.
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Skilled immigrants part of Rudd strategy
Australia's skills shortage has everyone looking at training, apprenticeships and initiatives to entice workers into getting a trade. To add to this, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced extra skilled migration will be part of the solution.
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Peter Griffin - Green Plumber
Peter Griffin is the managing director of Chadoak Plumbing, which began as a small business with two brothers in their mum's backyard. And now, the property they are on is worth over two million.
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Jeanine Cooke: Construction Operations Manager
At 16 Jeanine Cooke was told females weren't to be builders, so her apprenticeship wasn't to be. Today she operates The Hedley Group in Cairns with partner Tom Hedley and it's one of the largest construction companies in Australia.
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Anthony Fisher: Baker
While Anthony is a third generation baker - he isn't tied down to a family bakery, instead, travels the world with his passion for baking. From working across Australia, to establishing the Baker's Delight chain in Canada, there more than just his bread on the rise in Anthony's career as a baker.
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Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year Awards
Read all the Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year Awards information in one place. Find links to forms and details for the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence and nominations.
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US tradies provide a beacon of light for Australia
It seems Australians have much to gain from the innovative approaches used in the US and elsewhere to attract people to trade skill careers.
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WA Trade Teacher of the Year revolutionising training for students
Conservation and Land Management 2007 Trade Teacher of the Year Winner, Andrew Nicholson from Albany Western Australia is putting his developmental prize money to good use.
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Employability skills
The changing nature of work requires skilled, flexible and well-equipped workforces. To get there, here are the key Employability Skills employers look for.
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February Star Ratings Announced
The first two months of 2008 have been busy with many RTOs applying for Star Ratings assessments. I'm pleased to announce February's ratings.
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Bruce Mathieson Snr talks Apprenticeships
With over 15,000 staff, of which 200 are apprentices, CEO Bruce Mathieson Snr is well aware of the challenges faced by apprentices today - and especially how they compare to those of when he was an apprentice.
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Jocelyn Howard: Painter and Interior Designer
Jocelyn Howard is a woman not afraid to tackle an industry dominated by males. While homes and domesticity has traditionally been the habitat of women, it has been males who dominate the industry of painting and interior design, challenging female clients to attempt to see eye-to-eye over issues such as interior design, which may not entirely cross the gender cultural barrier.
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Winning teacher gets boost to help students 'fast track'
Gary Sewell, inaugural Bakery 2007 Trade Teacher of the Year has recently been granted federal funding worth $50,000 to continue with a project he began with his prize money from The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence.
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Kira-Lee: Taking her career to Japan and beyond
Diners at Hobart's Gilt Lounge Bar & Restaurant can look forward to something extra special from the kitchen now that junior chef Kira-Lee Norman has served the "Ultimate Apprenticeship" in Tokyo.
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Feature: Singapore in July for apprentice winner
SkillsOne Ultimate Apprenticeship winner Daniel Wheat is getting ready to attend the Singapore Garden Festival in July after playing his part in Australia's entry into the prestigious festival.
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Turning a negative into a positive
Gowest, a NSW Government regional development board working in the Orana region near Dubbo, is offering the over-1000 recently retrenched and redundant workers from Mitsubishi Motors in south Adelaide employment - if they are prepared to move across the border to live and work.
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Ultimate Apprentices on the road to great start
Fourth-year apprentice diesel fitter Matthew Hibble, who races carts and currently works on earth-moving trucks in the mining industry, thought his mates were playing a joke on him when he received a call to say he'd won the SkillsOne Ultimate Apprenticeship.
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Generation Y needed to help fill 450,000 vacancies
In a plan to increase the number of training places available so that the skills shortage can be addressed, the government will focus on current, emerging and future skills needed by industry.
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SA's partnership approach to meet skills challenge
The South Australian Government recently announced the start of a range of pilot projects to build the skilled workforce for the state's expanding extractive sector.
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Star Ratings: Give industry and trainees what they need
Since launching its Star Ratings Scheme to recognise RTOs, The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence has received feedback from industry suggesting that, for the first time, industry knows what it wants and can expect from Australia's VET system.
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SkillsOne User/Audience Survey
We're inviting you to tell us what you think and what you like about SkillsOne. It only takes a minute to complete - so, take the survey now!
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The first 100 days
A report about the importance of the first 100 days of an apprenticeship sheds light on why our apprentices are not finishing, and what employers can do.
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NZ clothing industry acts to fix skills shortage
In an example of industry taking the lead and putting their money where their mouth is, the New Zealand clothing industry is acting to solve the problem itself.
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St Kilda crowds get hands-on with trade skills
An exciting day at Australia's biggest festival showed that many people are changing their views about trade skills and jobs. Plus - find out who won the $5000 Dream Wood Workshop!
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Ultimate Apprenticeship Winners Take Off!
Our recent Ultimate Apprenticeship Winners take off to experience their trade in Japan, Singapore and England. We offer our congratulations to all and take a look at them here...
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Francapelli Fabulous
With over 30 years in the hairdressing industry, Frank Sobrio, Artistic Director of Francapelli Hair Academy acted on his vision to create an academy with a difference. In 1998 he set out to produce and mentor high quality hairdressers in a bid to address the skills shortage.
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Wrap up: Trade skills a hot topic around the world
A taste of what's making the news in other countries explains why much is made of the skills shortage affecting most western societies and developing nations.
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Technical College guaranteed funding
The Rudd Government has guaranteed funding for another technical high school as part of its education and social inclusion policy.
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CareerOne Profile - James McKay: Theatre set construction
Sydney Theatre Company head of set construction James McKay was typical of many youngsters in that he had no idea what he wanted to do when he was at school.