What’s in a name?

1. What’s in a name? Group Training Association of Victoria VET PLANNING AND RESEARCH NETWORK SEPTEMBER 2006

2. An ice cream man was found lying on the floor of his van covered with nuts & hundreds and thousands. The police assumed that he topped himself.

3. Things are not always what they seem! • Don’t stop at what we are called look at who we are and what we do……

4. Overview • What you might know • What you might not know • Research network • Research capacity • Research activity

5. GTA Vic – Some Facts • Incorporated Association • Operating for 21 years – statewide • 22 full members, 4 service members, 5 associate members • Annual turnover $3M+ • 3 ft + 2 pt staff • Specialist skills include: • Advocacy & negotiation • Policy and research • Member services • Network management • IR • Financial management • SME experience • NFP Governance

6. About The Network • Largest member employs 1160 apprentices and trainees • Smallest employs about 80 trainees • Employs approximately 8,500 apprentices & trainees statewide • Vic GTOs employ in all vocations • GTOs are the largest employers of indigenous and disabled employees • GTOs are the largest employers of school based apprentices • 90% of Vic GTOs are RTOs • Vic GTOs also operate Job Network, AACs, Youth Pathways, • ATTP, PEPT, CRISP, MIPs etc

8. Research purposes • Evidence base for GTA organisational and public policy development; • Generating ‘heat’ around issues; • Developing partnerships for future research and research dissemination; • Taking research to practical application – providing information and tools to our network and beyond.

9. Large Employers and SMEs RTOs Public and Private Gov’ts GTO Staff/Orgs Employer& Employee Org Networks Apprentices & Trainees GTA - Research Network • 30 – 50,000 contacts per year • Multi - Industry • Statutory Authorities • State and Com’wlth • Multiple Departments • 40,000+ Apprentices • Multi - Industry GROUP TRAINING National Network Research Orgs • NCVER • Institutionally based • Private Consultants • Itabs/NSC’s • GTO Networks • Schools • Regional/Rural Communities • 8,500 • Metro/Regional/Rural • Multi - Industry • Unions • Incolink • Industry Associations

10. Areas of Interest • Youth transitions to employment; • Innovation in employment based training; • Workforce Participation; • Training infrastructure; • Public and Private Investment investment in skill development; and • Whole of Government skills initiatives.

11. GTA VIC POLICY/RESEARCH PROJECTS – Core, allied and adjunct research and project areas. Projects and Partners • GTAN R&D GTA LTD • Apprentice Wellbeing Possible partners - Health Funds/Superannuation Funds/VTA • Positive Recruitment Next Step DEST • Enhancing links with TAFE VTA • Update Policy Framework and Research Prospectus Attract potential research partners/project funds • Post Trade Qualifications VQA • Teacher PD in industry OLT • Mapping the application of Pre Apprenticeship Credit OTTE • Application of Pre Apprenticeship to New areas OWP;OTTE • Learning Disabilities OLT; OTTE • Health Industry and Older Workers OTTE; LGA;DEST • ILC scoping project Indigenous Land Council • VCAL in TAFE ACFE • Labour Hire Arrangements Work Safe Strategic Relevance • New research scope for GTA • Professional Learning Opportunities for members • Business opportunities for Members • GTA Vic research budget • Strategic alliances for GTA • Strengthening links into partner orgs and government • Policy development /influence

12. One ought every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words. Goethe, Apprenticeship