National Initiatives

Queensland Water Skills Partnership

Current national projects
National Water Skills Strategy Business Plan	A National Water Skills Strategy designed to address skills gaps was endorsed by COAG in 2009. This Strategy outlines specific items to be undertaken which will enable better utilisation of existing Government programs to assist the water sector in bridging projected skills gaps. AWA developed a Business Plan to operationalise the National Water Skills Strategy. The Business Plan outlines the framework for implementation (i.e. governance, funding, timetables etc) and includes details on specific actions to be undertaken.
National Framework for Certification of Water Treatment Operators	The National Water Commission (NWC) has funded a project to develop a national competencies framework for certifying potable water treatment operators. The project is being conducted by Government Skills Australia (GSA). The objective of the “National Certification Framework for Operators of Potable Water Treatment Plants” project is to recognise public expectation for this role to be carried out by a suitably qualified person. The challenge is to ensure the framework is flexible enough to meet all industry needs. The first round of consultations took place with workshops held around the country. The workshops were attended by 158 people with 107 water organisations represented. A draft framework is now available on the GSA website. Second round consultation workshops are taking place over January and February. This will provide industry with an opportunity to provide further comment. To attend a workshop or comment on the framework visit the GSA website.
Funding programs
Critical Skills Investment Fund	The Critical Skills Investment Fund (the Fund) is a $200m Australian Government initiative designed to up-skill existing workers and to train job seekers who seek to work in critical industry sectors. The Fund will initially target the resources, construction, renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. The Fund will also be used to address skills gaps in other sectors impacted by a loss of workers. Over time, the Fund may also be used to address other emerging skills needs identified by the Government. The Fund is a discretionary grants program available over four financial years from 2010-11 until 2013-14. Australian Government funding will be in the form of one-off grants that support innovative training to rapidly expand the workforce capacity of enterprises. Participating Enterprises will also be required to contribute to the training costs.
Apprenticeship/ Traineeship employer incentives	The Australian Government has introduced a number of initiatives to assist employers who take on an Australian Apprentice (the term apprentice includes trainees). Employers of Australian Apprentices may be eligible to claim commencement and completion incentive payments of up to $4,000 for employing an Australian Apprentice at the Certificate III to Advanced Diploma level (subject to meeting the required eligibility criteria). Employers of an Australian Apprentice may be eligible for financial assistance through: • Standard, Additional and Special incentives • Support for Adult Australian Apprentices • Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability • Support for employing an Australian School-based Apprentice Assistance on all aspects of Australian Apprenticeships can be obtained from an Australian Apprenticeships Centre. To contact an Australian Apprenticeships Centre, please call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73.
Workplace English Language Literacy (WELL)	The WELL Program is funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Each project includes a employer co-contribution of between 20 and 50%. The main aim of the program is to assist employers to train workers in English language, literacy and numeracy skills. The training needs to be related to job-related workplace training and is designed to help workers meet current and future employment and training needs.