AutoPath ‘Goes Live’ to Tackle Critical Autobody Apprentice Shortage

NRMA Insurance recently launched its major smash repair industry employment and retention program — AutoPath — targeting school students, parents and career advisers.
 
The AutoPath website has been designed as a platform to change the perceptions of the Autobody industry in Australia, and engage young people in ways that will encourage them to undertake a TAFE course and immediately set out on a rewarding career.
 
The program has been the subject of careful planning, research and wide consultation among key industry and tertiary organisations. Social media, local community repair showcases and BBQs, and facilitating repairer job opportunities, interviews and mentoring will be major planks of the strategy.
 
AutoPath is an initiative backed by NRMA Insurance and its partners TAFE NSW, Auto Skills Australia and the Automotive Training Board of NSW.
 
The program is designed to attract new talent to the industry. While its initial focus is NSW, its aim is to engage nationally with other like-minded organisations that are facing the same crisis in attracting and retaining school leavers. 

Breakfast seminar: The age of digital & social media: how to maximise your presence

Wednesday, 18 November, 7.15-9.00am
Australian Institute of Management
7 Macquarie Place, Circular Quay, Sydney
Register now

Speaker:
Bernie Sheehan, Manager, Digital Skills Development, ABC
Bernie will go through the basics of developing your digital and social media plan and what’s important to consider. She will give an overview of social media in Australia and take you through some tips on the different platforms and the audiences on each. Some of the questions she will address include:
• Why do I need a digital and social media plan?
• Is my website working for me?
• How does my website fit in with social media?
• How can I use social media to enhance my business and attract customers?
• Should I develop digital and social media skills in house or outsource?
• What social media is best to use?
• How do I track what is working?
• What can I do simply and for free?
• How can I keep up with all the changes?
• Why do they call social media ‘engagement’ tools rather than promotional tools?
 
Bernie started out as a cadet reporter at 16 armed with 140 wpm shorthand and 100 wpm typing. After working as a journalist and editor for some years, she moved into online media at Microsoft creating online content in the web’s early days in Australia. This role was followed by Head of Programming for Ninemsn, Content Director at Chello Broadband, Product Director roles at News Ltd and Yahoo! Australia & NZ and the past seven years at the ABC.

Proudly supported by AIM and ACFIPS
 

Stakeholder Feedback Wanted

Forest and Forest Products Training Package
 
There is still time to submit feedback on the reformatted FPI11 Forest and Forest Products Training Package units of competency. Units have been rewritten into a new format determined by the Australian Government. They will make up the new FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package. We have tried to not change the fundamental meaning or content of the units — only the format. We are seeking feedback that the converted units remain equivalent and they satisfy the requirements of the job role. Falling, timber treatment and harvesting and haulage units will be available for feedback until 18 September. Feedback for all other units is open until 11 September.
 
Strata Community Management
 
The first draft of the Strata Community Management qualifications and units are now available for stakeholder feedback. If you wish to update yourself on this project, you can visit the project webpage where you will find background information on this project  – Click here:  
Your feedback will inform the Strata Community Management final draft qualifications and units of competency.  To be considered your feedback must be submitted in Word format using the feedback form provided on the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC) webpage by COB on Tuesday, 15 September 2015.