As the mad rush to the end of the year gathers momentum, CSWA is once again looking to ensure we are best positioned to respond to the WA Jobs, Education and Training (WAJET) survey by early 2024, ensuring it provides a platform to advocate for the needs of our sectors.
The design of the Department of Training and Workforce Development’s recently released 2023-2028 Strategic Plan was inspired by Aboriginal artist Brody Campbell’s artwork “Kaartdijin”. This artwork, which translates to “knowledge” in his language, tells a story of transforming lives and communities, and enabling a thriving economy through contemporary vocational education.
https://mailchi.mp/3bd7a424cbc2/cswa-newsletter-aug-17399722
Dear OSHC Stakeholder,
CSWA would like to thank those who provided feedback and advice during the consultation process for the establishment of the traineeship for the Certificate III in Outside School Hours Care (10983NAT) in Western Australian. As a Training Council our role is to submit the application to the State Training Board with strong evidence which supports our recommendation. This evidence is based on consultation with a range of stakeholders including Industry, Employer and Employee Associations, Government and Training Providers. When we asked these stakeholders to confirm their position, overwhelmingly the response provided was that the endorsement of this qualification, whilst it was able to be utilised to run a service, posed too great a risk to the children and worker. This was despite chronic workforce shortages in the outside school hours care (OSHC) sector. Whilst the sector is identified as being critical to support working parents, the State Training Board was advised that it was imperative the sector was adequately resourced and workforce issues addressed in way that minimised the risk to the child and worker. It was recommended that the promotion of the Diploma of School Aged Education and Care (CHC50221) be promoted for those who have responsibility for running a service.
Since these consultations were undertaken, a change to the OSHC regulations by Education and Care Regulatory Unit (ECRU) came into effect on 1st July. This change has created an opportunity to review this position particularly in light of the fact that a service can no longer be run utilising the Certificate III qualification, however the First Qualified Educator may now be working towards a number of other identified qualifications. Whilst the First Qualified Educator can no longer run a service with the Certificate III, a Qualified Educator can and as such, we seek your advice on the establishment of this qualification as a traineeship as part of a strategy to build the OSHC workforce.
To assist with the decision-making process, we provide the Summary of OSHC Regulation Changes and OSHC Petition Template for review.
Qualification Details
An outline of the qualification as listed on the Training Government Authority website https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/10983NAT this lists the units of competence included. Note whilst this lists 12 units it appears in other states delivery is based on 15 units which includes the elective three units:
The Certificate III qualification does have a work placement component of 320 hours which would be captured under the traineeship arrangement.
At present the qualification in not on the government funded list and the costs unable to be confirmed as this will be negotiated between the owner of the qualification and the WA RTOs that choose to deliver. Should its establishment be supported, CSWA will advocate for the qualification to be funded at similar levels to the existing ECEC Certificate III and Diploma. Concurrently CSWA will also advocate for the Diploma of School Aged Education and Care (CHC50221) to be funded at the same level.
Summary of OSHC Regulation Changes
Prepared by CSWA, this document aims to highlight the changes to the regulatory requirements and map again current and proposed training pathway in WA.
Petition
This outlines the potential delivery arrangements for the Traineeship and should you support its establishment placing this on your letterhead and confirming your responses to the questions in red will assist us to resubmit a position to the State Training Board promptly. Please note that the Traineeship is delivered over 24 months in other States and is available within schools. CSWA will seek clarification from ECRU, but a potential special consideration could be that under 18s are unable to undertake the qualification unless under the supervision of a qualified staff member.
In addition to the Traineeship consultation process CSWA will continue to work with the sector to explore other opportunities to build the capacity of this critical workforce.
Please do not hesitate to contact Caroline Thompson caroline@cswa.org.au or Fiona Andreas fiona@cswa.org.au if you have any queries.
All responses are required by COB Monday 4th September 2023.
The recent release of the Vocational Education Training (VET) Qualifications Register for Secondary Students for the 2024 school year coincides with a period within the school system when students are considering or have already identified career options, particularly pathways for years 11 and 12. Having recently navigated this space as a parent, I am acutely aware that this can be a confusing and challenging time for both students and parents.
Whilst the recent conversation around Vocational Education and Training (VET) tend to focus on the enrolments, completions and employment outcomes, in addition to this CSWA also like to focus on the stories and the impact training can have on individuals, organisations and communities. Access to meaningful and attainable VET training can change lives by giving individuals confidence and choices that they may not have thought possible.
The recent release of the McGowan Government’s Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Regional Workforce Action Plan presents an opportunity to further highlight the challenges currently facing the sector and more importantly explore potential solutions. This includes the expansion of the ECEC Job Ready program and providing some clarity around migration pathways.
When undertaking consultations with industry stakeholders, one of the most common comments we hear is how confusing it can be to navigate the training options available, including when looking to engage trainees. As part of our role in promoting vocational training to our sector, we aim to reduce this confusion and help connect the dots to make the process smoother.
https://mailchi.mp/3a80de5e80f8/cswa-newsletter-aug-17047961
The CSWA team are currently immersed in compiling WA Jobs, Education, and Training (WAJET) survey responses for submission to the Department of Training and Workforce Development and I want to thank those who took the time to complete the survey. We are acutely aware of how time-consuming surveys can be however once again this information is incredibly valuable in informing advocacy for training and workforce strategies on behalf of our sectors. Over the coming weeks, the team will continue to undertake qualitative research and I would encourage anyone who has information they seek to have included, to contact the CSWA team.
Happy New Year to all our readers, though, like most of you, I’m wondering where January went. We anticipate another busy year ahead and look forward to working with key stakeholders to continue to achieve real outcomes for our sectors that support workforce development. This will include, among other things, continuing to promote training initiatives established in 2022, such as Community Health and Wellbeing Pre-Traineeship, Integrating Mental Health Practice Skill Set, Community Support Skill Set, and Early Childhood, and Ageing and Disability Job Ready Programs.
https://mailchi.mp/6fa855f825ee/cswa-newsletter-aug-16997073
On behalf of the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD), Community Skills WA (CSWA) is undertaking the WA Jobs, Education and Training (WAJET) survey for 2023. The purpose of this survey is to understand the skill needs in Western Australia and the various pathways available to meet these skill needs. The WAJET survey will be used to inform the development of the State Priority Occupations List (SPOL), WA Skilled Migration List (WASMOL), Graduate Occupation List (GOL), Priority Industry Qualifications List (PIQL) and other training priorities for the State.
To identify the skill needs of industry, the WAJET Survey 2023 has been developed to seek your input on the following:
Please help us continue to advocate for and develop strategies to support workforce development across the Community Services, Health and Education sectors in WA, by completing the relevant survey below.
Surveys close on 21 February 2023 at 5pm.
Note: For your convenience, please complete the survey on a desktop computer rather than a smartphone device.
Early Childhood Education and Care
Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedics
The recent announcement of 18,800 free training places represents a significant opportunity for our sectors to engage with Vocational Education and Training (VET), especially given the allocation of 8500 places for the care sector. While many of the qualifications and skill sets were already on the Lower fees, local skills list, the signing of the new 12-month skills agreement with the Commonwealth will ensure funding is maintained and access to free training is expanded throughout the community.
https://mailchi.mp/6fa855f825ee/cswa-newsletter-aug-16997073
According to the most recent available data, 774,000 children aged 0-14 years lived in poverty in 2017-18, accounting for 1 in 6 Australian children. Poverty has an impact on young people’s dreams and aspirations, and these statistics are confronting and unacceptable.
Reducing child poverty requires advocacy to ensure the development of a range of strategies and policy changes, especially in light of rising living costs. While CSWA can continue to support the advocacy and effect change through training strategies that create pathways and build capacity, the symposium highlighted the impact of one of our current projects.
https://mailchi.mp/7ef93691e81a/cswa-newsletter-aug-16605541
