NAEN Newsletter

Chief Executive Officer's Message
Australia's future leaders take the next step on their journey
Mark your calendar - NAEN 2025 conference date!
Governor-General to serve as NAEN Patron
Group training apprentices and trainees vie for top honours at Australian Training Awards
New NAEN Board Director
Congratulations to WA group training award winners
NAEN discusses critical apprenticeship issues with Minister Giles
2024 Notice of Annual General Meeting
A message from AustralianSuper
Jobs and Skills Australia sets out critical role for VET in jobs creation
DEWR proposing changed targets for ICT under the Australian Skills Guarantee

Colleagues,

As we approach the end of another year, it’s inspiring to reflect on the achievements of the National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) and its members in 2024. This year has been a celebration of leadership, innovation, and growth across the apprentice and trainee employment landscape through group training organisations and our valued partners.

Highlights include the incredible Today’s Skills: Tomorrow’s Leaders (TSTL) program, where we witnessed 25 exceptional apprentices and trainees embark on a transformative journey in Canberra. These young leaders, supported by NAEN and our member Group Training Organisations, are a testament to the future potential of Australia’s workforce.

We were honoured to welcome Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC as NAEN’s Patron, a milestone that underscores the importance of apprenticeships and group training to the nation’s future. The continued engagement of leaders at all levels, including the recent discussions with Minister Andrew Giles, highlights the critical role we play in shaping policy and driving forward-thinking initiatives.

Looking ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year. Our Brisbane conference in June will be an extraordinary event, coinciding with the WorldSkills National Championships. It promises to bring together key players in skills and training to discuss how we can collectively prepare for a changing workforce.

I extend my deepest gratitude to our members, stakeholders, and partners for your tireless commitment to careers and employment through apprenticeships and traineeships. Your work ensures that vocational education and training remains at the forefront of Australia’s workforce development.

Let’s continue to work together to build a skilled and prosperous future for all Australians.

Kind regards,

Dianne Dayhew

Chief Executive Officer

Australia's future leaders take the next step on their career journey

Twenty-five of Australia’s most promising apprentices and trainees took part in an intensive week of career development, as part of NAEN's ‘Today’s Skills: Tomorrow’s Leaders’ (TSTL) program in Canberra during November.

The group comprised 20 apprentices and trainees selected by NAEN-member Group Training Organisations (GTOs) and five finalists from the 2023 Australian Training Awards.

All the participants are regarded as emerging leaders in their fields. They are engaged in sectors including, electrical, business, plumbing, health, project management and automotive.

The residential program was officially launched by the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC at a reception at Government House.

Participants also spent a morning at Parliament House where the Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles addressed the group and answered questions on a range of issues including apprenticeships, skills creation and leadership.

The TSTL program commenced in 2004 and has seen more than 250 apprentices and trainees participate.

NAEN extends its appreciation to the National Careers Institute, within the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), which supports and funds the program.

NAEN also congratulates TSTL facilitators Bruce Sullivan and Leonie Stanfield for an outstanding 2024 program, as well as NAEN board member Andrew McCarthy who assisted across a range of activities over the week.

Mark your calendar - NAEN 2025 conference date!

Please mark your diaries with the date for the National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) 2025 National Conference – 11-13 June 2025!

We are pleased to advise that the conference, themed 'Future Skills: Changing World', will be in Brisbane, and will feature another outstanding array of speakers, presenters and panellists.

It will be a huge week in Brisbane, with the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships and Skills Show running 12 -14 June at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Registrations to NAEN25 will open soon, so please keep an eye out!.

We are delighted to advise that the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, has agreed to be Patron of the National Apprentice Employment Network.

It is a real honour to have the Governor-General play such an important role in the national body, and for the recognition this affords to our members and the thousands of apprentices and trainees they employ.

NAEN is thrilled that the connection with Australia's highest office continues. We extend our appreciation to the Governor-General and all those at Government House who have made this possible.

Image: NAEN Chief Executive Officer Dianne Dayhew with Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC at Government House, Canberra.

Group training apprentices and trainees vie for top honours at Australian Training Awards

Group training apprentices and trainees are strongly represented among the finalists for the Australian Training Awards in December.

The list of finalists, released yesterday, shows a host of GTO representatives across multiple categories.

Apprentice of the Year

Rachael Pearson (NSW), employed by Zeal Futures, hosted by South 32.
Asinate Bradbury (Northern Territory), employed by GTNT, hosted by Territory Generation.
Ellie Wotherspoon (Western Australia), employed by Programmed, hosted by Woodside Energy.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

Vanessa Williams (Northern Territory), employed by Programmed, hosted by Santos.

Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

Lawson Connor (ACT), employed by Indigenous Allied Health Australia Group Training, hosted by Canberra Health Services.
Lara Wilson (South Australia), employed by MEGT, hosted by Hospital School SA.

Industry Collaboration Award

IAHA NT Aboriginal Health Academy, formed in 2018 by Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), IAHA Group Training and Fox Education and Consultancy.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Canberra on December 6.

New NAEN Board Director

NAEN has a new Board Director, representing South Australia – Greg Megaw, the General Manager of GTE (Group Training Employment).

Greg has been employed by GTE since 2000, originally as a Field Officer mainly dealing within the construction industry.

Greg brings extensive knowledge and experience to the group training sector and, now, to the NAEN Board.

NAEN extends its warm congratulations to Greg on his appointment.

Congratulations to WA group training award winners

The Apprentice Employment Network WA (AEN WA) celebrated group training achievement at its annual awards event in Perth in October.

The Minister for Training and Workforce Development, Industrial Relations and Water, Simone McGurk delivered the keynote address.

The category winners were:

School-Based Apprentice / Trainee of the Year: Shaian Angel, employed by Maxima Training Group
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Apprentice / Trainee of the Year: Taj Derschow, employed by Maxima Training Group
Trainee of the Year: Birgitta Verster, employed by MEGT
Woman in Building and Construction Apprentice / Trainee of the Year: Lily Trainor, employed by The Apprentice and Traineeship Company
Apprentice of the Year: Jess Haydon, employed by MEGT
Host Employer of the Year: Iluka Resources Limited

AEN WA extended its appreciation to the host employers who are crucial in supporting its members. Special thanks also to the generous sponsors who made the evening possible.

NAEN discusses critical apprenticeship issues with Minister Giles

NAEN discusses critical apprenticeship issues with Minister Giles

The National Apprentice Employment Network is delighted to have engaged in an extremely productive meeting with the Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles in Sydney.

NAEN Chief Executive Officer Dianne Dayhew and Communications Adviser Bob Bowden met with the minister and discussed a range of issues critical to the group training network.

This included apprentice incentive payments, skills shortages, the recent review of future apprentice incentive arrangements, completion rates, and GTO achievements across the country.

NAEN extends its appreciation to Minister Giles for his positive and warm engagement.

2024 Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Annual General meeting (AGM) of Group Training Australia Limited T/A National Apprentice Employment Network (Company) will be held on Friday, 6 December 2024, 12.30pm AEDT.

This year’s meeting will be conducted in person in Canberra. Member representatives will also have the opportunity to join virtually.

AustralianSuper is a leading profit-for-member super fund who has long advocated for an equitable superannuation system to ensure all Australians live well in retirement.

AustralianSuper regularly reviews its fees, investment portfolios and product offering, to help members achieve their best financial position in retirement. AustralianSuper offers a range of help and guidance to meet the changing needs of members.

From online tools through to seminars/webinars, AustralianSuper helps members manage their super and plan for their future, no matter where they’re at on their path to retirement. Visit AustralianSuper

Sponsored by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd, ABN 94 006 457 987, AFSL 233788, Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898.

Jobs and Skills Australia sets out critical role for VET in jobs creation

The 2024 Jobs and Skills Report estimates that over 90% of employment growth over the next 10 years will be in jobs that need post-secondary qualifications. However, only half of that growth is in university-qualified roles.

Released annually by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) to detail a uniquely national view of the current and future shape of Australia’s workforce, the report provides a detailed look at Australia’s workforce landscape, with a focus on future skills, opportunities and challenges.

“What’s clear is that we need to stop thinking about post-school study in terms of only university,” said Professor Barney Glover, JSA Commissioner and a former Chancellor of Western Sydney University.

“Half of what people will need to know for the jobs of the future is going to be taught in vocational education and training.”

“Anyone looking at a new or changed career needs to understand that we have to think outside of the university box to make sure we have the skills we need for strong employment in the future.”

Professor Glover was speaking at the beginning of a national roadshow in Canberra. JSA is currently visiting every capital city to discuss with stakeholders and interested members of the public what their findings mean for local regions.

See Better Together - The Jobs and Skills Report 2024

DEWR proposing changed targets for ICT under the Australian Skills Guarantee

The federal government is looking to alter the way it applies targets in the ICT sector under the new Australian Skills Guarantee.

The Skills Guarantee has been in force since 1 July 2024 and sets targets for apprentices, trainees, paid cadets and women on major Australian government-funded construction and ICT projects.

Under the current settings, Skills Guarantee targets for major ICT projects are negotiated on a project-by-project basis.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is now seeking feedback on proposed new national targets to apply to major ICT projects. It is also canvassing a higher target for high-value ICT projects.

DEWR is also considering the definition of a ‘learning worker’, as well as the targets for such workers.

A discussion paper outlining the proposals is now available.

There will also be a series of online roundtables from 26-29 November.

Feedback and registration for the roundtable can be made via the DEWR Consultation Hub.