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Dear Colleague,
Wrap up of SkillsDMC National Conference
SkillsDMC hosted its fourth National Conference at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney on Wednesday 20 August 2008. The feedback from those who attended has been very positive, reflecting SkillsDMC commitment to providing industry with timely and relevant information. This year saw record figures of attendance by senior industry operators representing the Resources and Infrastructure sectors from across all regions of Australia.
For a full wrap up of the day and to view a selection of speaker presentations click on the photo of our SkillsDMC team. For further information contact our national office Ph: 02 9299 3014 or email: skillsdmc@skillsdmc.com.au
We hope to see you at our next National Conference on Wednesday 26 August 2009, at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney.
SkillsDMC would like to thank our major sponsor BMA Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance and supporters Xstrata Copper, Xstrata Coal, Australian Drilling Industry Alliance (ADIA), Australian Bulk Minerals (ABM), and the Mineral Drilling Association of Australia (MDAA).
If you are interested in supporting or being part of our next conference please contact Bridgena Hartley via email: bhartley@skillsdmc.com.au or Ph: 02 9299 3014.
Chairman’s Awards
Awards Recipients - Ray Barker OAM, Chairman of SkillsDMC, presented a selection of industry awards on the evening of SkillsDMC National Conference - the media release and a list of all award winners is included in the Latest News section of our website. Pictured is Des Caulfield our CEO with Alistair Croll of the Kimberley Diamond Company who is receiving the company award in recognition of Kimberley Diamond Company’s commitment to Indigenous Training and Workforce Development.
Industry News
Productivity Places Program
SkillsDMC has been contacted by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to actively participate in the Productivity Places Program. The role of SkillsDMC is to provide DEEWR with proposals for training from enterprises who are interested in taking part in the Productivity Places Program. The proposals include skills assessments, matching of training needs with areas of identified skills shortage and strategies for addressing these shortages. DEEWR has indicated that they will fund proposals up to $300,000. For more information contact SkillsDMC Ph: 02 9299 3014 E: skillsdmc@skillsdmc.com.au
Virtual Reality Training Program
The idea behind this project is to train workers using virtual reality training programs before they actually go into the mining environment and is designed to cut mining industry accidents. The $430,000 project is a collaboration between BHP Billiton, SkillsDMC, RESA, the University of NSW and the University of Adelaide and TAFE SA. The simulator will re-create a completely interactive virtual mine which enables trainees to perform, select equipment and complete jobs safely in environments that require working at heights, such as elevated platforms, and construction scaffolding. The program will be piloted by BHP Billiton at its Olympic Dam operation and is expected to be in use by early 2009.
Tasmania in Focus
Productivity Places Program – existing worker initiative Tasmania
The time has come for the mining sector to stake it’s claim! Two members of the SkillsDMC team, Jodie Stevenson (Tasmanian Regional Manager) and Xavier Shea (Workforce Development Manager), recently visited a number of mining sites in the North and North West of Tasmania. The purpose of the visit was to work with individual enterprises to develop a picture of the workforce, both now and into the future. This is particularly relevant in respect of the Productivity Placement Program, and for those enterprises seeking assistance to enhance their workforce capacity and satisfaction whilst increasing productivity. Click here to view the full report
SkillsDMC adds to it’s National Network
SkillsDMC has recently recruited two new team members in Victoria and the Northern Territory. They will be focussing on establishing industry networking groups to be the voice in identifying industry needs and building networks with enterprises and RTOs.
For further information please contact:
Victorian Region – Ray Townsend Ph: 0429 000 438 E: vicregion@skillsdmc.com.au PO Box 13047, Lawcourts, Melbourne Victoria 8010
Northern Region – Marcia Kelly Ph: 0429 000 549 E: ntregion@skillsdmc.com.au GPO Box 3287, Darwin, Northern Territory 0801
Update on SkillsDMC Resources
Certificate 1 in Resource & Infrastructure – Pilot Program Evaluation
The highlight of the SkillsDMC National Conference was the DVD presentation of the Certificate 1 in Resources and Infrastructure, which showcased the future generation of workers for our industry. The program has been a wonderful collaboration between industry, VET in Schools program and the indigenous population. Employers and students considered the pilot a great success, with many of the participants entering full time employment. The evaluation can be downloaded from this newsletter (see top right).
If you would like more information on this program, or a copy of the DVD please contact Dorothy Rao via drao@skillsdmc.com.au or Ph: 02 9299 3014.
Resource Materials
SkillsDMC has a number of resource materials which have been developed to assist in the implementation of the Training Package, and to help companies to deliver high quality, relevant competency based training and assessment. The availability of the materials should also help to reduce company training workload and costs. The resources will also assist in the delivery of nationally consistent, quality training and assessment.
To order these materials visit the Products and Services section of our website www.skillsdmc.com.au or email: skillsdmc@skillsdmc.com.au
Rationalisation Project Nearing Completion
Rationalisation Project Final Drafts
The rationalisation project continues on schedule and is on track for endorsement at the end of 2008. The final drafts of the rationalised units are available for viewing on the SkillsDMC website for stakeholders to review. Comments on these or the existing units can be made on the Issues Registers. To view the Final Draft Versions of the revised units visit the Industry Projects section of our website www.skillsdmc.com.au
SkillsDMC has received financial support from BMA Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance, QRC and Kimberley Diamond Company to develop resource materials, which will be aligned with the new Rationalised Training Package. These resources will help all enterprises to smoothly integrate the new system when it is released in early 2009.
For further information, please contact Dorothy Rao, SkillsDMC Operations Manager on (02) 9299 3014 or email: drao@skillsdmc.com.au
New Ways of Working in VET Forum 5
Reframing the Future is facilitating an interactive, national two day forum encouraging fresh thinking about innovation, agility and responsiveness in the vocational education and training system.
The forum will be held on 17 and 18 November 2008 in Melbourne and will provide an opportunity for the participants to network, share contemporary approaches to vocational education and training and promote good practice in implementing the national training system.
Participants will also have an opportunity to attend the ‘Enterprises Enhanced by VET’ forums, as well as activities with a special focus on the latest Council of Australian Governments recognition of prior learning resources and practices from around Australia.
The forum will be of value to vocational education and training practitioners interested in developing their capabilities to continuously improve competency based training and assessment and in being responsive to the workforce development requirements of industry and communities.
Confirmed keynote speakers include Dr Peter Smith who will speak on insights from strategic and change management projects in registered training organisations and Jane Figgis in conversation about teaching and learning in VET.
Participants can register by downloading a detailed flyer/registration form from www.reframingthefuture.net
For more information contact Renata Marshall, Reframing the Future, on 08 8207 9655, or Renata.Marshall@tafesa.edu.au
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