Nimble News 2 November 2022

Budget 2022-23

Last week's federal Budget included a $1 billion investment in the VET system. It also provided funding for the establishment of Jobs and Skills Australia, a new government agency tasked with bringing together a variety of stakeholders to better identify current, emerging and future skill needs, with the goal of strengthening the nation's workforce planning. For more details here are some great resources and articles, each looking at the Budget from a different point of view.

Spending on Skills and Training is detailed on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

If you want a business focused perspective then this summary from business.gov is for you.

HR issues are well covered by the Australian HR Institute.

Feedback from a range of women's groups have been collated in this article from Women's Agenda.

For a deeper dive into what the Budget means for Australia's economic outlook try this article from the Committee for Economic Development Australia.

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Other Nimble News Stories:

“No-one held back and no-one left behind”

The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP recently delivered a wide-ranging speech on the Federal Government’s priorities for skills and training. He emphasised the need to address skills shortages, such as by removing barriers to women’s participation in the workforce and increasing opportunities for people with disabilities. He commented on the need to improve apprenticeship completion rates, and to focus on foundation skills, as well as lifelong learning. He identified agriculture as one of the priority areas for fee-free VET places in 2023, and spoke about the new agency - Jobs and Skills Australia.

Gender Equality Insights 2022: The state of inequality in Australia

The latest report from the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre and Workplace Gender Equality Agency partnership reveals that WA tops the league for gender pay gaps and living in remote areas adds a further penalty. Their latest research suggests moves to create a more gender balanced workforce is how we make progress in this area.

For careers professionals and young people

The McGowan Government’s Career Taster Program offers students the chance to learn about trades and career opportunities from local industries, through hands-on activities. It's great to see the School of Isolated and Distance Education and the not-for-profit 'Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen Inc. (SALT) running workshops and industry roadshows ensuring schools in regional areas also get to benefit from this great program.

Schools, training providers and employers can get involved here.

For Employers:

Future changes to paid parental leave begin to kick in from July 2024. Read more about them here, as well as how Australia stacks up to the rest of the world.

Is a four-day work week the secret to a happy workforce?

Unilever’s successful four-day work week trial in NZ is now being expanded to staff in Australia. The company reported that business targets were still met, while absenteeism dropped 34% and the staff reported a 33% drop in stress and a 67% drop in work-life conflict.

Workforce Options for Industry Forum

The Peel Development Commission is running this breakfast time forum on 30 November, in Mandurah. The forum will address workforce shortages, and includes workforce attraction strategies such as skills and regional visa pathways for industry.

New reports from Skills Impact

Agribusiness, Food and Fibre Industries Skills Report is a first of a kind report seeking to identify common issues experienced across these industries. Individual Industry Skills Reports are also available on a range of FFTITC industries.

Australia's Environment Ministers show unity on conservation and environmental issues

The states and territories Environment Ministers met recently. Several commitments were made, including to protect and conserve 30% of our landmass and marine areas; to reverse biodiversity loss; to better manage invasive species; to transition from single-use plastics and improve recycling infrastructure, particularly for e-waste and solar panels.

Have your say: Horse Welfare Standards

The State Government has released the draft Standards and Guidelines for the Health and Welfare of Horses in Western Australia. It includes general care, health and management; the conditions under which horses are kept and handled; events; and natural disasters. Consultation period closes 19 December.

A few stories of note for growers:

The UWA Institute of Agriculture is offering a free lecture, open to all, on Groundwater Protection and Agricultural Development – Conflicts and Challenges, UWA 16 November.

Grants available to Horticulturalists in the Swan Valley and North Wanneroo to invest in water use efficiency infrastructure.

Grants available to established and emerging Aboriginal businesses and landowners under the Building Better Aboriginal Business Native Seeds and Nursery Development scheme. Grants are on offer to accelerate business development and seed supplies, workforce development, facilitating supply chain partnerships, and business coaching and mentoring.

With another bumper harvest underway the Grains Research Development Corporation is urging WA grain growers to be proactive about managing mouse numbers. There’s lots of tips in this media release.

Two upcoming events for educators:

TAFE Directors Australia Convention 2022: Courage, Change and Challenge: The Future of TAFE, has a great line up of guest speakers. Adelaide, 15-17 November.

The VET Development Centre's Teaching and Learning Conference is a two-day online event on the theme of Re-emerging. 17-18 November.

We hope that this has been of some assistance. Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council.