SSV Newsletter: Issue 11
New Year
SSV would like to send a warm Happy New Year to all and wish you a prosperous year. 2008 will be a busy year once again with current and new projects and all staff at SSV welcomes the challenges that lay ahead.
Staff Changes
The Better Business Tourism Accreditation Program has continued its work placement program with William Angliss Institute, and has two students, Thompson Ho and Nataliya Yako, assisting on projects and general administration of the program for the duration of 1st semester.
Reframing The Future Project Updates
Pre-Apprenticeship network 2007
In addition to the pre-apprenticeship research that was undertaken last year, SSV undertook a Reframing the Future project looking at creating a network to look at work placements, and best practice approaches to work placements, following OTTE's feedback that delivery cannot be mandated.
The group has continued working past the funded portion of the project which is an indication of the desire within industry and the educators to see change in the quality of experience for students and improving employability.
Since the start of the project in mid 2007, we have now developed two manuals, one for employers and one for students, looking at what is required with a placement and the legal requirements of such an agreement. These manuals are presently being trialled at Ballarat University, ALH Group and Restaurant & Catering to seek feedback on whether the manuals meet the requirements or what information is missing.
Case studies are also being put together, one regional and one city, looking at success stories that already exist within the industry. These case studies will also be used as part of marketing collateral of the project.
Service Skills Australia Conference
Service Skills Australia's national conference Update, Motivate, Educate was held on 28-29 February in Sydney.
In the current environment of skills and labour shortages across the service industries, the conference provided an important forum for the vocational education and training sector and industry to discuss issues, and generate new ideas to respond to the challenges that lie ahead.
Dr Carol Nicoll's stimulating opening keynote address provided an insight into new government initiatives and the future of VET. Ian Blandthorn, Chair of Service Skills Australia, outlined a range of concerns around the effectiveness of the VET system, particularly in terms of national consistency, and issued a clear challenge to the system to adopt a national perspective to more effectively meet industry needs. Peter Noonan provided a snapshot of industry issues and the key recommendations and initiatives outlined in Service Skills Australia's current work plan. An energetic Tom O'Toole, 'the Beechworth Baker', shared his story of success which empowered and enthused the audience.
On day two John Smyth's (Department of Education Tasmania) thought provoking session described an education revolution in Tasmania. Megan Lily of the Australian Industry Group discussed the need to reform entry-level training arrangements, whilst developing new and more sophisticated approaches to re-training and up-skilling existing workers.
The conference closed with a vigorous presentation by David Parkin (former Carlton AFL coach), whose unique perspective reminded delegates of the importance of working for, and with, each other.
Final Change Drivers Report 2007-2008
The purpose of this report is to examine major change drivers shaping Victoria's service industries and the probable implications these drivers may have on skills and training required by industry over the next 10 years and beyond.
Information contained in the report will inform and assist the State Government Office of Training and Tertiary Education (OTTE) to moderate purchasing decisions regarding future training needs in Victoria. The report is also intended to assist individuals and organisations involved in workforce development and planning in the service industries.
The 2007 Change Drivers Report has been through the consultation process, validation through the WRAPS and Tourism and Hospitality Industry Advisory Committees, presented to OTTE and been signed off by the SSV board. The report was then submitted to OTTE in February. Once submitted, it is a Crown copyright document. SSV is in the process of seeking permission to upload the document to the SSV website.
Developing Tourism Leaders Awards
The Melbourne Airport Developing Tourism Leaders Awards are run by SSV and is an innovative employment development exercise for final year tourism, hospitality and events students from Victorian universities and TAFEs, requiring them to create original business or event concepts and submit business or event plans. The plans are judged by a panel of industry representatives based on the feasibility of the business, product innovation and knowledge of the tourism industry.
Institute visits covering both universities and TAFE's have begun, with appointments being scheduled across the state ensuring students have access to the information and make a decision on whether it is something they feel they can commit to for their final year of study. The website has undergone an overhaul for 2008, simplifying information and making movement around the website easier (www.dtlawards.com) The registration process was also changed due to increase in website content management fees; therefore SSV will now manage the registration process from our Melbourne office.
Congratulation must go to the winner of the 2007 awards; Ms Karen Kavanagh, who was accepted into the Accor Graduate Management Traineeship, where she has taken up a position at Novotel St Kilda.
Training Packages - Update (check the latest update on SSA's website www.serviceskills.com.au)
Retail Services
The NQC endorsed the SIR07 Retail Services Training Package on 24 August 2007 and Ministers approved this endorsement on 17 September 2007. The Package has also now been uploaded to the NTIS website.
Funeral Services
Service Skills Australia submitted the SIF08 Funeral Services Training Package for endorsement on 21 December 2007, after some final editorial changes.
The Package will now be subjected to Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) quality checks, a State and Territory training agency consultation phase and will then be put forward to the National Quality Council for its final endorsement. It is expected that these processes will take three months.
For more information on changes, please visit SSA website at www.serviceskills.com.au
Beauty Training Package Continuous Improvement
Service Skills Australia has undertaken widespread consultation into the scope of the beauty industry and the contents of the current training package to inform its continuous improvement. During 2007, a discussion paper was distributed to facilitate comment on current trends and changes within the industry that may impact on skills need and Training Package content. All comments provided during the 2007 consultation phase have since been collated, reviewed and incorporated into the Report into the Continuous Improvement of the Beauty Training Package. The report was endorsed by the Steering Committee. Service Skills Australia distributed it to stakeholders for validation of the contents. The contents of the report inclusive of recommendations for change will guide the future re-write of the Beauty Training Package and potential incorporation with other training packages.
Comments on the Report into the Continuous Improvement of the Beauty Training Package have closed and have been included in an updated version. This version is now available to view on the SSA website; www.serviceskills.com.au
Floristry Training Package Continuous Improvement
Service Skills Australia has undertaken widespread consultation into the scope of the floristry industry and the contents of the current training package to inform its continuous improvement. During 2007, a discussion paper was distributed to facilitate comment on current trends and changes within the industry that may impact on skills need and training package content. All comments provided during the 2007 consultation phase have since been collated, reviewed and incorporated into the Report into the Continuous Improvement of the Floristry Training Package. The report was endorsed by the Steering Committee. Service Skills Australia distributed it to key stakeholders for validation of the contents. The contents of the report inclusive of recommendations for change will guide the future re-write of the Floristry Training Package and potential incorporation with other training packages.
Comments on the Report into the Continuous Improvement of the Floristry Training Package have closed and have been included in an updated version. This version is now available to view on the SSA website; www.serviceskills.com.au
Tourism, Hospitality and Events
The Tourism, Hospitality and Events Training Package was endorsed by the National Quality Council in December, and endorsement was approved by Ministers on 18 January. Following checking of the NTIS data,the Training Package will be made available on the NTIS website. These corrections are being made through the NTIS team and DEEWR.
SSA has gained special approval from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to commence publication of the Tourism, Hospitality and Events Training Package before the package is published on the NTIS.
Orders that have been placed with Service Skills Australia have commenced delivery.
The early availability of the package means that users will be able to commence planning their delivery and assessment processes in advance of formal implementation in each state/territory.
Please note that registered training organisations (RTOs) will not be able to commence delivery of the SIT07 Training Package nor add it to their scope of registration until it is released/published on the NTIS.
Before commencing delivery RTOs will also need to comply with the specific implementation and registration processes and timelines established at state/territory level for this package.
RTOs should contact their state/territory training authority for further details of these processes in their state/territory.
For further information on training packages, including draft qualifications, go to www.serviceskills.com.au.
TAFE Development Centre - Food Safety Supervisor Trainer Network
In 2007, the Food Safety Supervisor Trainers Network, as part of a project funded by the TAFE Development Centre, developed RPL tools through a series of workshops facilitated by Sue Picot and Caren Watts of the Community Services and Health Industry Training Board. The tools, designed to be customised to suit institutional needs support Food Safety units across Retail, Hospitality and Health.
Templates are available on the SSV website at no charge.