COVID-19 UPDATES
Guidance for VET providers and students
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has provided information regarding adaptive processes and procedures for VET providers as well as advice for students.
The Department of Health provides frequent health updates and alerts. It is essential to stay up to date with information issued by the Department of Health, as well as by your state or territory health authority.
Have you notified ASQA changes to your organisation during COVID-19?
Remember it is important to notify ASQA if:
- changes have been made to where you deliver training
- you have temporarily stopped all or part of your training operations
- you have made modifications to delivery modes or methods.
- you are moving to distance learning
- you are moving back to face-to-face training
- you are reopening your training locations
- beginning to operate after being in hibernation
- major material changes have been made
- you have made changes to any third-party arrangements
You will also need to check that your information is correct on www.training.gov.au.
CRICOS providers will need to confirm that all information is correct on Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS).
For updates on course information for potential students about course information such as fees, duration, study mode and availability of your courses, you will have to edit the information on myskills.
Reviewing delivery of training courses
When recommencing your operations, you will need to reassess how and what the training courses are that you are offering. You will need to think about:
- Training and assessment strategies
- Trainers and assessors
- Student support
- Support for providers
You can find out more information on this by visiting www.asqa.gov.au/covid-19/resumption-planning.
VICTORIA’S STAGE 4 RESTRICTIONS – What does this mean for Career Calling Jobs?
Many challenges, as well as opportunities, are arising from the COVID-19 disruptions Australia wide.
Victoria is under Stage 4 restrictions. Under the Victorian State Govt. guidelines for businesses under Stage 4 restrictions, Career Calling Jobs is classed as an Employment Services Provider. Career Calling Jobs is permitted to operate and can do so from home. We are a “provider of services necessary for the operations of a permitted industry.”
How to contact our team
Due to COVID-19, our team is currently working from home and are unfortunately not able to take every enquiry by phone.
If you are a CANDIDATE seeking work, simply please CLICK HERE TO REGISTER your details and upload your resume. If you want to make a phone appointment with one of our Career Coaches, or you would like more information on our Career Coaching services, please CLICK HERE. One of our Coaches will contact you as soon as possible. If you are an EMPLOYER needing recruitment, please call our recruitment manager Claudia Simeone on 1800 266 160 or CLICK HERE to submit your request via our Enquiry Form.
Are you looking after your mental health during coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions?
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically transformed the way we live. It is normal for something of this nature to have a big impact on a person’s mental health. For some, you may be experiencing new feelings which can be difficult to understand or talk about. For others new to you or whether you are someone who has suffered from mental health in the past, there is always support available. In Australia, help is available 24/7. It is important to be aware of how you are feeling and if you do notice any changes please do not be afraid to reach out. Below is a list of support services that are available. Please remember that in an emergency, call 000.
It is important that you keep these support line numbers on you. It is also advised that you have numbers on you of two people in your life that you feel comfortable contacting if you need to speak to someone. It is imperative to let them know that you would like them to be your support person and ask them if they are ok with this so they are prepared and available at all times.
Contact Lifeline for support if you are experiencing a personal crisis or have suicidal thoughts. You can call them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in Australia. Lifeline 24-hour crisis line – 131 114
24/7 counselling, information and referrals for sexual assault, domestic and family violence 1800 737 732
Beyond Blue are providing information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hotline – 1800512348
Beyond Blue Corona Virus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
A free, virtual peer support service that provides non-clinical, peer-based mental health support.
Kids Helpline provides a free, private and confidential phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. The service is available 24 hours a day from anywhere in Australia – 1800 551 800
24/7 telephone and online support for men with emotional health and relationship concerns MensLine Australia. 1300 78 99 78
Call the Suicide Call Back Service for immediate, professional 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people who are affected by suicide. 1300 659 467
Do you know someone who needs extra support?
R U OK? Is a suicide prevention charity. Their mission is “to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life” If you are concerned about someone you know, you can find tips on how to start a conversation with them about it on their website. “A conversation could change a life.” You can also find more support services on their website.
TIS National is for people who do not speak English and for agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients. 131 490
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
Please take the time to look after yourself and stay connected with family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and anyone around you.
JobTrainer Skills Package
The VET sector will play a significant part in helping the Australian economy recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
Employment opportunities that arise after the crisis will be very different from the jobs that were lost. The VET sector, in collaboration with the higher education system, need to provide extra assistance to job seekers and school leavers. Job seekers need to be able to retrain and upskill, and training needs to be available to school leavers. Skilled workers must be available for businesses to access when required. For this to be possible, the VET sector must provide relevant courses and of high quality so students leave with the skills needed to be able to do the job.
The Australian Government recently announced the JobTrainer Fund as part of the $2 billion JobTrainer Skills Package. The JobTrainer skills package is a new government initiative to provide opportunities for job seekers to upskill and retrain as the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.
The initiative will provide an additional 340,700 training places for school leavers and job seekers. Prospective students will have access to short courses and accredited qualifications to gain skills and create a pathway to qualifications. The courses on offer will be in growth sectors and those industries critical to the recovery of Australia’s economy. Funding will be available for these courses and will have a low fee or no fee at all.
To access JobTrainer Funding, States and Territories will be required to sign up to a new Heads of Agreement for Skills Reform. This sets immediate and longer-term reforms to improve the VET sector.
The Australian Government is working with state and territory governments to finalise agreements for the JobTrainer Fund.
Funding and training places are estimated to be available from September 2020. Information on what courses will be available through the Job Trainer Fund will be available on My Skills website.
The package also includes a further $1.5 billion to add to the Job Keeper incentive, to help keep apprentices in work. The wage subsidy will now become accessible to medium size companies that have less than 200 employees for apprentices. This will cover 50 per cent of the wages paid to apprentices and trainees.
