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Powering Skills Organisation (PSO) is excited to extend a special invitation to our Energy Pathway Roadshow: Collaborating for a sustainable tomorrow.

In a pivotal move for Australia's mining and automotive sectors, the Mining and Automotive Skills Authority (AUSMASA) has unveiled its groundbreaking "Initial Workforce Plan: The Future is Now." This comprehensive document is poised to reshape the landscape of these industries, providing a strategic blueprint for navigating challenges and fostering sustainable growth. AUSMASA's plan focuses on several key pillars. Skill development takes centre stage, with a commitment to upskilling and re-skilling the workforce to meet the evolving demands of the sectors. Embracing innovation is another critical aspect, as the plan emphasises the integration of cutting-edge technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency.

The Future Skills Organisation (FSO), the Jobs and Skills Council (JSC) for Finance, Technology and Business sectors in Australia, is set to embark on a journey to Darwin and Alice Springs. Their aim is to engage with diverse stakeholders, including businesses, industry professionals, and registered training organisations (RTOs) within the Northern Territory (NT) to gather valuable insights. As one of the ten Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) of the Australian Government, the FSO plays a central role in the skilling and training system in NT’s FTB sectors. Their vision is to empower industries with a more influential and strategic voice, ensuring improved outcomes for both learners and employers in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. It was also stated that courses like the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, Diploma of Beauty Therapy, and Diploma of Community Services exhibit lower rates of continued study in both vocational education and higher education. Nevertheless, foundation skills courses like Certificate I and II in Spoken and Written English acted as crucial springboards, with 61% of students progressing to further VET studies. Furthermore, 15.7% of VET graduates pursued additional VET education, while 6.7% enrolled in higher education programs, signifying a culture of lifelong learning. 

The latest report ‘ VET Student Outcomes 2018-19 – Top 100 Courses ’, released on 16 November 2023, marks a significant step in understanding how vocational education and training (VET) shapes Australia's economic, employment, and social landscapes. This collaborative effort between the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), and the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) introduces the VET National Data Asset ( VNDA ). As the VNDA continues to evolve, its insights will inform policy decisions, amplifying the impact and relevance of vocational education in Australia. Key findings from the report showcase the transformative impact of VET on individuals and the broader community. It reveals that 82.7% of VET graduates secured employment in the year following their training. Notably, women experienced a significant 15.2 percentage point increase in employment rates, surpassing the national average of 12.4 percentage points. Moreover, completing a VET course resulted in a median income uplift of over $10,000 for graduates, with considerable financial improvements observed among First Nations cohorts. The clean energy sector emerged as a beacon of opportunity, displaying the highest employment levels and income increments post-training. It was also stated that courses like the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, Diploma of Beauty Therapy, and Diploma of Community Services exhibit lower rates of continued study in both vocational education and higher education. Nevertheless, foundation skills courses like Certificate I and II in Spoken and Written English acted as crucial springboards, with 61% of students progressing to further VET studies. Furthermore, 15.7% of VET graduates pursued additional VET education, while 6.7% enrolled in higher education programs, signifying a culture of lifelong learning.

Whether you're considering upskilling, retraining, or embarking on a new career, the Australian Government invests in your future by offering an additional 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and vocational education places. This initiative, introduced in 2023 with an initial allocation of 180,000 TAFE and vocational education places nationwide, is set to expand further with the five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) starting in January 2024. The NSA emphasises increased investment in the vocational education and training sector (VET), strengthening VET and providing a pathway to the essential skills required by future job opportunities. These courses cover critical areas with skill shortages, including aged care, technology, hospitality, construction, agriculture, sovereign capability, and the VET workforce. Designed to empower priority groups, this initiative targets First Nations people, young individuals aged 17-24, job seekers, women seeking economic security, unpaid caregivers, women pursuing non-traditional fields of study, and people with disabilities. This remarkable initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Australian, State, and Territory governments, allowing eligible individuals to enrol in accredited diploma, certificate, or short courses without tuition fees. This means your educational journey is free from financial constraints.

Ten job seekers have gained employment, and industry have gained new staff to keep their businesses moving, thanks to the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT (ISACNT) and four Workforce Australia Employment Service Providers in June and July. The ‘All Aboard - Let’s Explore’ manufacturing industry tours held in June and July provided 40 jobseekers with information and the opportunity to engage with six employers from industries they may not have otherwise had exposure to in their day-to-day lives. InToJobs, APM, Mission Australia, and Melaleuca Australia encouraged job seekers to participate in the tours and organised a chartered coach to collect all the Palmerston and Casuarina participants for a one-hour tour with each employer. Employers gave jobseekers an overview of the business, the jobs available, career pathways, and highlighted the benefits of working within the manufacturing sector. Both tours showcased a wide variety of jobs within industries such as printing and graphic arts, recycling, glass and fenestration, polymer, precast concrete, and sheet metal manufacturing. 

Northern Territory’s Jade Reichstein competes in the WorldSkills Competition in Melbourne recently. The competition celebrates excellence in Vocational Education and Skills and the immense potential of education and training for the development of our future workforce.

The Northern Territory Team's participation in the 2023 WorldSkills Australia event yielded remarkable results, including two bronze medals and a Medallion of Excellence. These achievements stand as a testament to the dedication and commitment of five highly talented young Territorians. The competition held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from August 17-19, saw 180 young apprentices and trainees presented with medals at a ceremony on Sunday evening. Just under 27,000 visitors attended the event, with the majority comprising school students seeking to learn more about the opportunities that vocational, technological and service-oriented careers can unlock. Industry Skills Advisory Council NT supported the NT competitors on the ground, along with Charles Darwin University (CDU) Pro-Vice Chancellor and CEO - TAFE Michael Hamilton.

Supplier to constumer and in between - how produce is making its way to your plate.