Perth population and transport needs, set to grow

The rapid increases seen in the transport industry are set to continue in the coming years according to figures published by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport. The recently released document, State of Australian Cities 2011, has reported considerable rises in population for Perth and projected strong growth figures for the coming years. The population of Perth in 2001 stood at just under 1.4 million; nine years later it was almost 1.7 million and is set to reach 2.3 million by 2027. The annual growth rate in 2009-2010 was 2.3% which is double the growth rate of Sydney, with the bulk of the growth taking place in the central suburbs.

This population growth can be attributed to a combination of factors, including overseas and interstate migration and natural growth in WA. The increase in population will inevitably lead to an increase in transport and logistics activity in the coming years, with a projected rate increase of 3.5% in freight task annually and a 8.2% growth in rail passengers for the foreseeable future.

 

 

 

 

 

The Logistics Training Council is happy to announce the release of the Environmental Scan 2011and the Workforce Development Plan 2011, along with the results of two surveys of the Transport and Logistics workforce and RTOs. These documents provide penetrative insight into the issues affecting the Transport and Logistics Industry and suggest a number of strategies for addressing current and future challenges. Not only do we value your feedback but we see the Workforce Development Plan in particular as being a constantly changing document and we encourage continuous input to reflect the changing nature of the workforce.

The Road Safety Remuneration Bill, better known as Safe Rates, is a federal initiative that seeks to improve road safety for the trucking industry by ensuring that rates of pay are sufficient to mitigate risks being taken by under-pressure truck drivers. A Safe Rates Remuneration Tribunal, which will target companies who underpay owner-drivers, will have the power to set pay rates and pay-related conditions, including mandating paid waiting times, outlawing incentive-based remuneration and dictating payment periods.

While generally welcomed in the industry, Safe Rates has been the subject of a considerable amount of discussion. While the Transport Workers Union has supported the measure strongly, saying that the new bill will remove incentives for unsafe road practices, the Australian Logistics Council has been sharply critical, saying that Safe Rates will impede productivity and deliver little in terms of improved safety. The Australian Trucking Association has chosen neither to support nor oppose what it sees as an industrial relations issue as opposed to a safety measure, a view which is also held by the Australian Logistics Council. The legislation was introduced into federal parliament last month and will come into operation on 1 July 2012.
 

Drivers of taxis and minibuses will be required to ensure children are properly restrained while travelling in their vehicles as part of a range of approved changes to the Australian Road Rules which will improve the safety of all road users, according to the National Transport Commission (NTC).

Some of the other major changes include:

• the required use of seatbelts for children who are covered by the existing exemptions to the use of child restraints in taxis and mini buses

• imposing new requirements relating to the use of warning triangles for heavy vehicles and fallen loads
  

• an extended parking time allowance for drivers with a valid disabilities parking permit

 

Now in its third year, Skills West Expo is to be held over three days (Friday – Sunday) from 10 to 12 August this year. In 2012, the event will showcase the best tertiary institutions, training colleges, employers, industries and Government initiatives currently underway in Western Australia.

A wide range of industries will be represented, including the LTC and a variety of organisations from the transport and logistics industry. This event is free entry to the general public and in 2012 will again be held at WA’s leading venue, the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre.

Opening the event every year and a major supporter of the event, the Minister for Training & Workforce Development, Hon Peter Collier MLC continues to stress the importance of investment in professional skills to support the State’s future.

Last year, the Expo attracted a record 22,000+ visitors who had the opportunity to talk directly to over 100 employer, industry, education and training exhibitors.

Seven of eight regional port authorities will be consolidated into four to improve efficiency and reduce red tape in Western Australia.

The Western Australia State Government yesterday outlined its plans for the staged consolidation commencing in 2014. Under the reform, a newly created Kimberley Ports Authority will represent the existing ports of Broome, Derby, Wyndham, Cockatoo Island, Koolan Island and the proposed port at James Price Point. A Pilbara Ports Authority will comprise the ports of Port Hedland and Dampier, the proposed new ports at Anketell and Ashburton North; and the ports at Cape Preston, Port Walcott, Varanus Island, Barrow Island, and Airlie Island, Thevenard Island and Onslow. Similarly, a Mid-West Ports Authority will be created to cover the port of Geraldton, the controversial proposed new port of Oakajee, and the ports at Cape Cuvier and Useless Loop.

In addition, the Southern Ports Authority will represent the ports of Bunbury, Albany and Esperance. Only the Port of Fremantle will remain a stand-alone port authority.

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport has released exposure drafts of Bills that together form the Stronger Shipping for a Stronger Economy reform agenda. These reforms include the following key elements: tax reforms to remove barriers to investment in Australian shipping and to foster the global competitiveness of the shipping industry a simplified three tier licensing framework for participation in the coastal trade establishment of an Australian International Shipping Register to put Australian companies on a level footing with their international competitors establishment of a Maritime Workforce Development Forum to progress key maritime skills and training priorities.

Companies will also be given a financial incentive to replace ships earlier, with the depreciation rate reduced from twenty years to ten years to encourage renewal of the fleet. The aim of these initiatives is to deliver an integrated reform package that positions the Australian shipping industry to take advantage of the opportunities provided by our burgeoning export market and increased domestic transport task. These reforms are broadly welcomed and create a platform for rejuvenation with potential for new jobs, increased opportunity and prosperity.

The Training Providers Forum 2012 is a two-day conference organised by the Department of Training and Workforce Development and aimed at all those involved in workforce development and the delivery of training. It will take place at the Burswood Entertainment Complex on 14 and 15 May 2012.  The Forum program will include presentations with the latest information and workshops showcasing examples of good practice in training and workforce development.

There are two forum themes:

• trends and key issues in workforce development and training; and

• training pathways for learners, including VET in schools.
  

Latest forum program and registration information is available from www.dtwd.wa.gov.au/trainingwa.
If you are interested in obtaining an exhibition booth at the Forum, please contact Leanne Fredericks on (08) 9229 5327 or email leanne.fredericks@dtwd.wa.gov.au

 

 

There are 14 categories in this year’s awards, including WA Apprentice of the Year; WA Employer of the Year; and WA Small Business of the Year. The awards, now in their 18th year, celebrate the brightest and best individuals, employers and training organisations in the Vocational Education and Training sector. Winners, who will share in more than $100,000 in cash and prizes, will be announced at a presentation evening hosted by the Minister in September. 

For more information, or to nominate, visit www.dtwd.wa.gov.au/trainingawards or phone (08) 6551 5609. Applications for the 2012 Awards close at 5pm on Friday, May 11.

 

The Minister for Training and Workforce Development has approved the establishment of a traineeship for the Certificate II in Furniture Removal (TLI21510).

Approval has also been given for the traineeship to be funded for new entrants. This also applies to school based traineeships (SBTs) but does not apply to existing workers. For further information on the new qualification, please contact the LTC or follow this link - www.training.gov.au/Training/Details/TLI21510

 

The number of people commencing traineeships has increased to an all-time high in the December 2011 quarter. Released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Apprentices and trainees 2011—early trend estimates, December quarter, provides seasonally adjusted data at the national level for apprentice and trainee commencements.

The number of trainee commencements increased to 58 600 in the December 2011 quarter, up from the previous high of 57 000 in the March 2011 quarter.
The increase marks a return to the steady upward trend displayed from the June 2009
quarter to the March 2011 quarter.
 

The new TLISC E-Scan 2012 has recently been released.

The following key focus areas are extensively discussed in the document:

• Major business challenges facing the industry and their potential impact on skill requirements

• Anticipated skill and labour demands for each of the industry sectors
  

• Skilling needs to meet technology and safety developments in new vehicles
  

• Industry responses to changing skill demands
  

Key issues outlined that will affect workforce development in the Transport and Logistics Industry include:

• Skill shortages in each of the industry sectors

• Recent changes to TLISC Training Packages
  

• Training Package improvements planned for the next 12 months
  

For more information, go to www.tlisc.org.au/industry-intelligence/2012-e-scan/

 

The Transport and Logistics Training Package (TLI10) version 2.0 has now been released and is available for download from www.training.gov.au/Training/Details/TLI10

TLI10 version 2.0 includes:

• Introduction of Certificate IV Driving Operations which include streams in Fuel Tanker, LPGAS Tanker, Chemical Tanker and Heavy Recovery

• Revision and addition of Units of Competency (UOC) around varied job roles
  

• New qualifications around Network Control and Signalling within the Rail Sector
  

• Revised and New Qualifications around Rail Infrastructure
  

The National Workforce Development Fund continues to take shape and the second round of funding has now officially begun with both the TLISC and Service Skills Australia accepting proposals. In future, however, rather than distributing funds in rounds, the Government aims to establish an ongoing funding process for the NWDF which will be administered by the newly established facility, Skills Connect.

As originally envisaged, Skills Australia will expand their role and function to become the National Workforce and Productivity Agency, which in turn would become Skills Connect but the particulars have yet to be fully worked out. In its current form, Skills Connect establishes links back to the Industry Skills Councils but the precise role of this agency will become clearer in the coming year.

Service Skills Australia is seeking the help of RTOs with an important project on the destinations of VET graduates.

The project is a survey of students who have successfully completed qualifications in the hospitality and retail industries over the last 3 years. One of the key aims of this Destinations Survey is to develop a greater understanding of the work and study pathways people take after completing a VET qualification.

The data produced by the Destinations Survey will provide greater knowledge of students work and study outcomes and assist RTOs in tailoring their programs in a more targeted fashion. SSA anticipates that the results will assist in demonstrating the relevance and raising the profile of VET qualifications in the service industries and provide RTOs with important information about the role and outcomes of the training they deliver. SSA would greatly appreciate your help with this important project.

If you are able to assist with this survey or have any queries about the research, please contact Esther Doecke from the University of Melbourne's Centre for Research on Education Systems on 03 8344 8564 or via email at doeckee@unimelb.edu.au.