The Centre explores new ideas to improve Australia’s education and training ecosystem in line with contemporary and emerging skill needs. We incubate new concepts through project activity, often partnering with other bodies.
Using a seed grant from the Victorian Department of Education and Training the project investigated the feasibility of a model for Workforce Readiness Partnerships Pods that would result in improved work readiness in VET graduates and therefore increased productivity in industry. The project scoped a model that: identifies and implements innovative industry-student activities across industry sectors that are attractive to companies, particularly SMEs; and established a central space for industry and TAFE provider representatives to interact on student-work activities which incorporated companies' enterprise skill needs. It provided an opportunity to increase the volume of companies and students involved, and led to collaboration on broader initiatives between industry and TAFE. The project completed at the end of 2018.
Ai Group has received funding from the Victorian Government to generate interest in traineeships in the ICT sector. This is a sector that generally employs university graduates, although many of the occupations do not require that level of qualification.
Ai Group will work with a training provider to develop and conduct a preparatory program for prospective trainees, and then help place successful completers in Certificate IV traineeship programs. A mentor will support the trainees throughout the process, and there will be professional development support for their supervisors as well.
Following on from the success of the higher apprenticeships program piloted in Victoria, Ai Group is working with training providers to establish the program in South Australia. We are promoting the program to prospective employers and assisting them in finding suitable candidates.
Ai Group was a panel member for the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s PaTH Business Placements Partnerships Program, along with 11 other industry associations.
As a panel member, Ai Group worked with industry and employers to co-design industry workforce solutions. These solutions met skill needs by moving unemployed young people into employment in identified industries.
The initiatives incorporated existing government funded employment programs involving employer-tailored preparatory training, work experience and incentives for then hiring the young people.
Get in touch with the Centre for Education & Training to discuss your company’s skills issues and plans, our research and reports, or the members’ network.
Address: Level 5, 441 St Kilda Rd Melbourne VIC 3004 Australia
Phone: +61 3 9867 0202
Email: cet@aigroup.com.au
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