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Home | Apprenticeship Office | News and updates

Apprenticeship Office news and updates

WATA2021.

Applications for the 2021 WA Training Awards open 1 March

15th February, 2021

Time to put yourself in the spotlight!

The WA Training Awards program recognises excellence in vocational education and training (VET), and the outstanding achievements of VET students, apprentices and trainees, practitioners, organisations and employers.

If you’re an apprentice, trainee or vocational student, the WA Training Awards can open doors to new career opportunities and highlight your skills and achievements.

For organisations, the Awards are an opportunity to be recognised as an industry leader and provide a platform to network with other businesses and training providers in WA and around Australia.

The 2021 program will highlight the achievements of both individuals and organisations across the following 12 categories.

Individual categories

  • WA Apprentice of the Year
  • WA Trainee of the Year
  • WA Vocational Student of the Year
  • WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
  • WA School-based Apprentice of the Year
  • WA Trainer of the Year
  • WA International Student of the Year
  • WA Cultural Diversity Training Award Organisational categories

Organisation categories

  • WA Medium Employer of the Year
  • WA Large Employer of the Year
  • WA Small Training Provider of the Year
  • WA Large Training Provider of the Year

Winners of individual categories receive a $3,000 prize, and all WA winners have the opportunity to represent Western Australia at the Australian Training Awards later in the year.

Applications open on 1 March and close at 5.00 pm on Friday 23 April 2021.

Find out more about the 2021 WATA program at dtwd.wa.gov.au/watrainingawards/wata2021

To register your interest please email the WA Training Awards team or phone 08 6551 5952.

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COVID-19 information update

COVID-19 Update: Transitional lockdown restrictions lifted

12th February, 2021

Update regarding lifting of restrictions from 14 February 

The Perth and Peel restrictions will end as planned at 12.01 am, Sunday, 14 February. This means the whole of Western Australia will return to the pre-lockdown conditions, as experienced prior to 6 pm on Sunday 31 January. From Sunday 14 February masks will no longer be required to be worn either inside or outside.

Further information is available on the wa.gov.au website: Return to pre-lockdown life from 12.01am Sunday, 14 February 

WA TAFE colleges

Students and staff attending North Metropolitan TAFE and South Metropolitan TAFE will not be required to wear masks. Students should continue to practise physical distancing where possible, maintain good personal hygiene at all times and get tested when unwell.

Further details about the specific arrangements at each TAFE is provided on their website, please follow the links below. 
 

  • North Metropolitan TAFE
  • South Metropolitan TAFE
  • South Regional TAFE
  • North Regional TAFE
  • Central Regional TAFE

Jobs and Skills Centres

All Jobs and Skills Centres (JSCs) will be operating as usual. 

  • Visitors to all JSCs across the State must check in using the SafeWA app or contact register.
  • For those not wanting to attend a JSC in person, services will continue to be available via email and phone.

Visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/jobs-and-skills-centre to find contact details for your local JSC, or phone 13 64 64 for assistance.

Department of Training and Workforce Development

All offices and facilities will be operating as usual.
 

  • For general enquiries, please contact us via email at info@dtwd.wa.gov.au or phone 08 6551 5000.
  • For all other enquiries please use the contact details below:
    • Apprenticeship Office: Please phone the Apprenticeship Office helpline on 13 19 54, email apprenticeshipoffice@dtwd.wa.gov.au or use our online enquiry form if you require assistance.
    • Migration Services: Please phone 08 9224 6540 or visit migration.wa.gov.au/contact/general-migration-support  for further options.
    • Muresk Institute:  Please contact Muresk via phone on 1300 994 031, or email muresk@dtwd.wa.gov.au. 
    • TAFE Admissions: Please phone 6212 9888 or send an email to tafe.admissions@dtwd.wa.gov.au for assistance. 
    • TAFE International WA (TIWA): Please call 9218 2100 or use the online enquiry form on the TIWA website. 

 The Department of Training and Workforce Development remains committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of all students, clients and staff. We will continue to follow the advice of the WA Chief Health Officer to take the necessary precautions related to COVID-19. Please check WA.gov.au for further updates.

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COVID-19 Update: Transition out of lockdown for Perth, Peel and South West WA

5th February, 2021

Information for students, clients and staff

The WA Government has announced that if there are no further cases of COVID-19 recorded, restrictions in the Perth metropolitan, Peel and South West regions are set to ease from 6 pm, Friday 5 February 2021.

From 6 pm Friday 5 February the following will come into effect.

  • Perth and Peel will enter into a post-lockdown transition period until 12.01 am, Sunday 14 February; and
  • South West will return straight to pre-lockdown conditions.

Further information, including about the post-lockdown transition period for Perth and Peel, is available on the wa.gov.au website

WA TAFE colleges

Semester one will commence on Monday 8 February 2021 at all North Metropolitan TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE and South Regional TAFE South West campuses.

Consistent with health advice, the four square metre rule will not apply in classrooms and working environments at TAFE.

Students who are unwell should stay home, follow health advice and not attend their TAFE campus.
 

  • Students and staff attending North Metropolitan TAFE and South Metropolitan TAFE will be required to adhere to physical distancing requirements and wear masks, in line with health advice.
  • Everybody must wear a mask once they leave their home.
  • There will be a small supply of masks for students in the event they require a replacement while on campus.
  • All South Regional TAFE campuses will operate as usual and return to pre-lockdown conditions.
  • North Regional TAFE and Central Regional TAFE campuses will continue to operate as usual.

Further details about the specific arrangements at each TAFE is provided on their website, please follow the links below. 
 

  • North Metropolitan TAFE
  • South Metropolitan TAFE
  • South Regional TAFE
  • North Regional TAFE
  • Central Regional TAFE

Jobs and Skills Centres

All Jobs and Skills Centres (JSCs) in the Perth metropolitan area and in South West regions will return to full operations on Monday 8 February 2021.
 

  • Visitors to all JSCs across the State must check in using the SafeWA app or contact register.
  • For those not wanting to attend a JSC in person, services will continue to be available via email and phone.
  • All JSCs in the regional areas of WA will operate as usual.

Visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/jobs-and-skills-centre to find contact details for your local JSC, or phone 13 64 64 for assistance.

Department of Training and Workforce Development

All offices and facilities will re-open on Monday 8 February 2021.
 

  • For general enquiries, please contact us via email at info@dtwd.wa.gov.au or phone 08 6551 5000.
  • For all other enquiries please use the contact details below:
    • Apprenticeship Office: Please phone the Apprenticeship Office helpline on 13 19 54, email apprenticeshipoffice@dtwd.wa.gov.au or use our online enquiry form if you require assistance.
    • Migration Services: Please phone 08 9224 6540 or visit migration.wa.gov.au/contact/general-migration-support  for further options.
    • Muresk Institute:  Please contact Muresk via phone on 1300 994 031, or email muresk@dtwd.wa.gov.au. 
    • TAFE Admissions: Please phone 6212 9888 or send an email to tafe.admissions@dtwd.wa.gov.au for assistance. 
    • TAFE International WA (TIWA): Please call 9218 2100 or use the online enquiry form on the TIWA website. 

 The Department of Training and Workforce Development remains committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of all students, clients and staff. We will continue to follow the advice of the WA Chief Health Officer to take the necessary precautions related to COVID-19. Please check WA.gov.au for further updates.

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COVID-19 update

31st January, 2021

Information for students, clients and staff

The latest health advice of Sunday 31 January is that parts of Western Australia - the Perth metropolitan and the Peel and South West regions  - will be going into a mandatory five-day lock down from 6 pm Sunday 31 January to 6 pm Friday 5 February.

Media statement

The following services will be closed during this time.

WA TAFE colleges

  • All North Metropolitan TAFE and South Metropolitan TAFE campuses will be closed.
  • South Regional TAFE campuses in the South West region will be closed. Campuses in Narrogin, Katanning, Denmark, Mt Barker, Albany and Esperance will operate as usual during this time 
  • Central Regional TAFE will operate as usual during this time except for the Northam campus where some staff and students who travel from a lockdown area will be affected.
  • North Regional TAFE campuses will operate as usual. 

Further details about the specific arrangements at each TAFE is provided on their website.

  • Central Regional TAFE
  • North Metropolitan TAFE
  • North Regional TAFE
  • South Metropolitan TAFE
  • South Regional TAFE

Jobs and Skills Centres

  • All Jobs and Skills Centres in the Perth metropolitan area, and in South West WA, will be closed for physical attendance during this time. Services are still available via email and phone. Visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/jobs-and-skills-centre to find contact details for your local JSC, or phone 13 64 64 for assistance. 
  • All Jobs and Skills Centres in the Goldfields, Central, North and Great Southern regional areas of WA will be operating as usual during this time.

Department of Training and Workforce Development

All offices and facilities will be closed during this time. For general enquiries, please contact us via email at info@dtwd.wa.gov.au. 
 

  • Apprenticeship Office: Please phone the Apprenticeship Office helpline on 13 19 54, email apprenticeshipoffice@dtwd.wa.gov.au or use our online enquiry form if you require assistance during this time.
  • Migration Services: Please phone 08 9224 6540 or visit migration.wa.gov.au/contact/general-migration-support  for further options.
  • TAFE Admissions: Please phone 6212 9888 or send an email to tafe.admissions@dtwd.wa.gov.au for assistance. 
  • Muresk Institute:  Although Muresk is located outside of the lock down zone,  some scheduled events may still be disrupted or cancelled. If you are registered to attend an event during this period please contact Muresk via phone on 1300 994 031, or email muresk@dtwd.wa.gov.au to confirm event details. 
  • TAFE International WA: Please call 9218 2100 or use the online enquiry form on the TIWA website. 

While we will endeavour to continue providing services during this time, there may be some delays as we adjust our approach.

The Department of Training and Workforce Development remains committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of all students, clients and staff. We will continue to follow the advice of the WA Chief Health Officer to take the necessary precautions related to COVID-19. 

Please check the website for further updates. 

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Business closure times over Christmas and new year 2020

15th December, 2020

All Department of Training and Workforce Development offices will be closed from 4.30 pm WST on Thursday 24 December — reopening at 8.30 am WST on Monday 4 January 2021. 

The 13 19 54 Apprenticeship Office Helpline will not be operational during this time. Please email your enquiries to ApprenticeshipOffice@dtwd.wa.gov.au and we will respond to your enquiry when we reopen in the new year.
 

  • Training contracts can continue to be lodged during the closure, and will be assessed from 4 January 2021.
  • Training contracts changes can still be submitted via the Western Australian Apprenticeship Management System
    (WAAMS) online client portal during the closure period. 
  • Emails or other training contract related requests received during the closure will be actioned from 4 January 2021.

We would like to wish all of our customers, colleagues and stakeholders a safe and happy festive season — we look forward to working with you again in 2021.

 

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    New COVID-19 contact register from 5 December

    1st December, 2020

    Important information for businesses and venues

    Mandatory contact registers at relevant businesses and venues will be introduced from Saturday 5 December 2020. Maintaining a contact register is an extra safety measure and one of the most effective ways to control the spread of COVID-19.

    Businesses and venues will need to record the name, telephone number, location, date and arrival time of all patrons, staff, volunteers and contractors and keep that information for 28 days.

    These businesses or venues include:

    • food and licenced venues (restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, taverns, nightclubs);
    • gyms, indoor sporting centres and pools;
    • places of worship and funeral parlours;
    • beauty and personal care services including hairdressers and barbers;
    • galleries and museums;
    • cinemas, theatres and other entertainment venues;
    • auction houses and real estate inspections;
    • community facilities, libraries and halls ;
    • zoos and amusement parks;
    • function centres; and
    • accommodation facilities that already have check in arrangements in place (eg; hostels, hotels, large camp grounds).

    New app available

    To assist businesses and venues in collecting the information required, and make it easier for individuals to provide their contact details; a free, safe and secure app called SafeWA is now available. Endorsed by the Department of Health, the app provides businesses and venues a unique QR code that enables patrons to quick scan their contact details into the register.

    Data collected via the SafeWA app will be encrypted at the point of capture, stored securely, and only be accessible by authorised Department of Health contact tracing personnel should COVID-19 tracing be needed. This means tracing can be performed quicker to keep people safe. 

    The use of SafeWA is not mandatory, but is encouraged. The free app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play, giving businesses and venues time to implement the digital contact register system in time for 5 December. An information pack will be emailed to each business that downloads SafeWA.

    Businesses may also use alternative formats for registration — including other electronic or paper-based systems depending on what is suitable for the business, venue or individual — however all information collected must be saved and stored securely and retained for 28 days.

    Further information

    Full details about the contact register requirements including frequently asked questions, ‘how to’ guides and information sheets for businesses and for individuals, is available on the WA Government website. Contact register templates, for those not using the SafeWA app, are also available.

    Find out more at wa.gov.au/organisation/covid-communications/covid-19-coronavirus-contact-registers

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    Building pathways for new apprenticeships

    3rd November, 2020

    New free program offering 50 bricklaying apprenticeships

    A new short course is now available: the Bricklaying Job Ready program. It was developed in consultation with the Construction Training Fund and key industry partners including HIA, MBA and ABN Group, will create a pipeline of qualified bricklayers to meet the needs of WA’s building industry.

    Students will complete the Work Safely in Construction short course skill set, which teaches work safety practices, basic measuring and calculation skills, and how to operate small plant and equipment used on building and construction projects — through a mix of on-campus training and work placement with industry employers. The program is free for concession-eligible students including jobseekers and people aged 15—24. Non-eligible participants will need to pay a fee. On completion of the course, students will have the opportunity to start a bricklaying apprenticeship with a participating employer.

    The pilot program will be delivered by North Metropolitan TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE, and private training provider Skill Hire. The program will be reviewed at the completion of the first course with a view to it being expanded to regional WA. Employers who sign up to the program will be able to access State and Australian Government incentives and wage subsidies.

    Applications for the course are now open — with 50 places available for the first intake scheduled to start on November 9, 2020. Register your interest by emailing BricklayingJobReady@dtwd.wa.gov.au.

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    SBAT guide.

    New guide for school-based apprenticeships and traineeships now available

    23rd January, 2020

    Helpful information for all WA SBAT users

    The Department has released a new guide to Western Australian school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. The guide was developed collaboratively with stakeholders and is now available on our website.

    The new guide provides detailed information on the important aspects involved in a school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBAT) arrangement. It provides help and support for schools, registered training organisations (RTOs), employers, students, parents and other stakeholders operating in Western Australia’s apprenticeship and traineeship system.

    It includes:

    • a quick guide which highlights the key steps involved in an SBAT from starting out through to completion;
    • real life examples to make it easier to understand how SBATs actually work in practice;
    • information on the different roles and responsibilities of each of the stakeholders, including the importance of effective communication and collaboration; and
    • website links for easy access to fact sheets, forms and other relevant information.   

    The guide is available as an online resource and can also be downloaded and printed.

    View the SBAT guide
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    Updated fact sheet for SBAT minimum hours

    14th June, 2019

    The Department of Training and Workforce Development has recently updated the fact sheet, School-based apprenticeships and traineeships: Minimum hours per week.

    The Department’s policy position on minimum hours of paid work has not changed. The revised fact sheet has been developed to provide more detailed information to help clarify the existing minimum hour requirements of paid work for school-based apprenticeship and traineeship arrangements, along with some examples to show how the requirements could be achieved.

    The updated fact sheet is available on the Apprenticeship Office website, under Training contract forms and fact sheets.

    View the updated fact sheet 
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    New fact sheet and calculator

    New fact sheet and calculator tool to determine employment status for traineeship training contracts

    23rd October, 2018

    The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office recognises stakeholders' need for guidance on the determination of a person's employment status (ie; new entrant or existing worker) when entering into a training contract.

    A new fact sheet and calculator tool have been developed to provide information to stakeholders, and to assist with the calculation of the relevant periods. They are both available on the Apprenticeship Office website, under 'Other publications'. 

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    Updated fact sheet/form: Suspension of a training contract for serious misconduct

    17th September, 2018

    The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office has recently undertaken a review of the process for an employer to suspend a training contract due to apprentice’s serious misconduct. The associated fact sheet and form has been reviewed and updated – please ensure you are using the current version of the form when submitting requests to Apprenticeship Office.

    The updated fact sheet and form is available on the Apprenticeship Office website under Forms and fact sheets relating to training contracts 
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    New FAQs – What happens when an RTO no longer provides training?

    17th September, 2018

    The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office is committed to providing guidance to stakeholders when a registered training organisation (RTO) no longer provides training. To assist stakeholders to determine options available for apprentices and employers when confronted with this scenario, a new fact sheet outlining a serious of frequently asked questions and answers has been developed.

    The FAQs document is available on the Apprenticeship Office website under Other publications 
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    New and updated forms, fact sheets and FAQs

    14th February, 2018

    The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office has updated a number of publications.

    • Form – Notice to terminate a training contract
    • Form –  Notice to assign a training contract to a new employer
    • Form – Notice to vary a training contract
    • Fact sheet – Termination of a training contract without apprentice consent
    • Fact sheet – Extending a training contract
    • Fact sheet – Assignment of a training contract to a new employer
    • Fact sheet – Training contract registration and assessment – Frequently asked questions
    • Fact sheet – Training plans
    • National training plan template
    • Case study – Completion of a training contract

    In addition, the following new fact sheets have been developed and published.

    • Fact sheet – Employer’s eligibility to enter into a training contract
    • Fact sheet – Cancellation of a training contract due to apprentice abandonment
    • Fact sheet – School based apprenticeships and traineeships: Minimum hours per week

    These documents are all available from the Training contract forms and fact sheets section of the Apprenticeship Office website at dtwd.wa.gov.au/apprenticeship-office.

     

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    New minimum part time hours for school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs)

    7th February, 2018

    Following extensive stakeholder consultation, the Minister for Education and Training has endorsed the setting of the minimum part time hours per week of paid work and supervised training for school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs).

    The setting is identified on the Public Register of Prescribed VET Qualifications. It states:

    • a school-based training contract comprises of:
      •   a minimum of 7.5 hours per week in paid work over the duration of the traineeship or apprenticeship, which can be averaged over six month periods; and
      •   training which may be supervised on the job, delivered off the job, or as some combination of on and off the job.

    Please note that the setting identifies the minimum hours of paid work and allows employers and SBATs to negotiate longer hours of work, if required.

    A new fact sheet School-based apprenticeships and traineeships: Minimum hours per week, is available on the Apprenticeship Office website under Training contract forms and factsheets.

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    Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations amendments: New fact sheets

    2nd February, 2018

    Following extensive consultation with stakeholders and with their support, on 29 December 2017 amendments to the Vocational Education and Training (General) Regulations 2009 were gazetted. These amendments will come into effect on 9 February 2018 and training contracts registered by the Department’s Apprenticeship Office on or after this date will be subject to the new requirements.

    The changes simplify the timeframe for training providers to develop training plans for apprentices and trainees, clarify training plan requirements and ensure that schools are central to and can support school-based apprenticeship and traineeship (SBAT) arrangements. Overall, the changes will support quality training plans being developed in a timely manner that meet stakeholder needs.

    Amendments include:

    • changing the timeframe to sign a training plan to six weeks from the date that the parties are notified of the registration of the training contract.  In most cases, this will give RTOs more time;
    • making all parties aware of their obligations by clarifying that a new training plan is to be signed when there is a new training provider or employer.  This will ensure that the same quality applies to the training arrangement after an assignment or variation;
    • requiring training providers to notify the Department when a training plan has been signed so that the Department can ensure that training plans are being developed in the early phase of the training;
    • requiring school endorsement of the training plan for all SBAT arrangements to ensure that schools are aware of and are supportive of the training arrangement. Completion and submission of the Education, Training and Employment Schedule or ETES form will no longer be required; and
    • clarifying that home educated students will no longer be able to access SBAT, but will instead have access to a broader range of apprenticeships or traineeships under a part-time arrangement.

    Further information on the amendments is provided in the fact sheets Changes to training plans and School-based apprenticeships and traineeships and changes to training plan requirements which are available on the Apprenticeship Office website under Training contract forms and fact sheets.

    Updated forms and fact sheets relating to training plans, assignment and variations and the training plan template will be published on the Apprenticeship Office website on 9 February 2018. Please ensure you are using the current version of the forms when submitting requests to the Apprenticeship Office.

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    Temporary closure of Apprenticeship Office during Christmas and new year period

    11th December, 2017

    The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office will be closed from 4.30 pm on Friday 22 December 2017 to 8.30 am on Tuesday 2 January 2018 Western Standard Time.

    The 13 19 54 information hotline will not operate during the closure period. Please email your enquiry to ApprenticeshipOffice@dtwd.wa.gov.au and we will respond to your enquiry after the Apprenticeship Office reopens in the new year.

    Training contracts can continue to be lodged during the closure. They will be held until assessment and processing resumes in the new year. Similarly, any emails, variation, extension or termination requests received in the Apprenticeship Office email boxes during the closure will be regarded as being received on the date of receipt. They will be actioned after the Apprenticeship Office reopens in the new year.

    From everyone at Apprenticeship Office, we wish you a very enjoyable Christmas and a happy new year.

     


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    Changes to payroll tax exemption arrangements from 1 December 2017

    1st December, 2017

    On 30 November 2017 the Treasurer announced changes to be made to the payroll tax exemption arrangement for existing employees entering into traineeship training contracts. The Government will introduce a Bill into the Parliament in 2018 to amend the Pay-roll Tax Assessment Act 2002, with the changes to apply retrospectively to 1 December 2017.

    Details of the proposed changes can be found at Office of State Revenue Circular 10. Any queries relating to the administration of the payroll tax exemption should be made to the Office of State Revenue on 08 9262 1300 or by web enquiry at osr.wa.gov.au/PayrollEnquiry.

    The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office will continue to assess and make decisions on requests relating to existing worker traineeships in accordance with the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 and relevant Regulations.

    Please note, under the proposed transitional arrangements for existing worker traineeships registered or lodged with the Department before 1 December 2017, the duration of the payroll tax exemption cannot be extended by suspending or varying the training contract. The transitional arrangements will only allow the payroll tax exemption to apply until the expected completion date of these training contracts as at 1 December 2017.

    The Apprenticeship Office may also assess a worker’s employment status (ie; existing worker or new entrant) as part of its registration assessment or compliance assessment following the registration of a training contract. Guidelines on how to determine a worker’s employment status will be published in due course.

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    Fair Work Ombudsman guides for apprentices and employers

    10th October, 2017

    The Fair Work Ombudsman has developed guides for apprentices and employers that set out essential information about workplace rights and responsibilities, to assist them in understanding their rights and obligations.

    You can download the following documents from the Fair Work Ombudsman's website at fairwork.gov.au.

    Guide for starting a new apprenticeship
    Guide for taking on an apprentice 
     
     
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    New fact sheet: Casual workers and apprenticeships

    10th October, 2017

    The Department of Training and Workforce Development has developed a fact sheet on the eligibility of casual workers entering into a Western Australian apprenticeship training contract.

    The fact sheet; Casual workers and apprenticeships, is available on our website under 'Other publications'.

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    Training plan quality improvement consultation sessions

    31st July, 2017

    Working together to identify challenges and find solutions.

    The Department of Training and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Office is committed to improving the quality and integrity of the apprenticeship system in Western Australia. The training plan is an important document because it sets out how the apprentice will receive quality structured training, both on and off the job.

    The Department would like to work with stakeholders to examine some of the challenges faced by training providers in meeting the training plan requirements, and to identify strategies that may assist in overcoming these challenges.

    With this in mind, the Apprenticeship Office has prepared a Training plan quality improvement strategy discussion paper.  Training providers are invited to review this discussion paper and attend one of the following consultation sessions.

    When

    Wednesday 16 August 2017
    or
    Thursday 17 August 2017
    2.00 to  3.00 pm

    Where

    Training Room 3, Ground Floor
    Department of Training and Workforce Development
    1 Prospect Place
    West Perth

     

    To register your attendance, please email apprenticeshipoffice.regulation@dtwd.wa.gov.au with your name and contact details and kindly state which session you wish to attend.  This map gives you directions to find Prospect Place, and details of available free parking.

    If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, you may provide written feedback on the discussion paper to us via email. Alternatively you may wish to join in to these sessions online – this attendee information sheet has full details of how to access that option.

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    Automatic upgrade of superseded qualifications for WA apprenticeships and traineeships

    30th May, 2017

    The Department of Training and Workforce Development sought feedback from stakeholders in October 2016 regarding a proposal to automate the upgrade of superseded qualifications where the transition period has ended.

    Traditionally, RTOs have had to notify the Department every time a superseded qualification in a training contract needs to be upgraded to a replacement qualification. The Department recognises the administrative burden this practice places on RTOs.

    The proposed automation to the upgrade of superseded qualifications where the transition period has ended provides the following benefit to stakeholders:

    • removal of the need to notify the Department for a qualification upgrade; and
    • instant update of the qualification information in a training contract record.

    The Department has received overall positive feedback to this proposal and made necessary amendments to ensure the change meets stakeholder needs. It is planned that the change to TRS will be deployed in the evening on Thursday 8 June 2017.

    For detailed information about this change, please refer to this frequently asked questions document.

    If you have any questions regarding the above change, please call 13 19 54 or email ApprenticeshipOffice.Projects@dtwd.wa.gov.au.

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    New fact sheet - Training contracts and holders of temporary work (Skilled) (subclass 457)

    31st October, 2016

    The Department of Training and Workforce Development has developed, in conjunction with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the Commonwealth Government Department of Education and Training, a fact sheet on the eligibility of Temporary work (skilled) visa (subclass 457) holders entering into a Western Australian apprenticeship or traineeship training contract.

    The fact sheet, Training contracts and holders of temporary work (Skilled) (subclass 457), is available on our website under Training contract forms and fact sheets.

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    Workshop: training contract completion requirements

    1st September, 2016

    The Apprenticeship Office is committed to providing ongoing education to stakeholders with regards to our processes and compliance requirements. We will be offering a series of information sessions and workshops in the future and the details will be published on our website as they become available.

    The following workshop focuses on training contract completion requirements, as prescribed in Regulation 52 of the VET Regulations:

    Regulation 52 training contract completion requirements

    When:              26 October 2016 2–3pm

    Where:             Ground Floor, Optima Centre Building B, 16 Parkland Road Osborne Park

    This workshop is aimed at staff within registered training organisations who are responsible for advising the Apprenticeship Office of the training contract completion.

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    Apprenticeship Office's first anniversary

    15th August, 2016

    It is now over one year since the Apprenticeship Office was established on 1 July 2015. Below are some statistics from the actions during our first year of operation to 30 June 2016.

    • Number of training contracts registered: 25 282
    • Number of lodged contracts that had undergone further assessment: 9 063
    • Number of training contracts where registration was refused: 98
    • Average time taken to register a training contract: 6.5 days
    • Number of variations to training contracts assessed and processed: 17 308
    • Number of callers assisted: 22 578
    • Number of contacts with employers/apprentices providing advice about training plans: 12 038
    • Number of overdue training plans recovered: 4 760
    • Number of training plans audited: 461

    The Apprenticeship Office would like to thank our stakeholders for your support and cooperation over the last year. We look forward to continuing to work with you to improve the efficiency of the administration of training contracts and the quality and integrity of the apprenticeship system in Western Australia.

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