Applications for the Hostplus Hospitality Scholarship are open to up-and-coming hospitality workers, aged between 22 and 35. The Scholarship offers the winner a life changing opportunity of international work experience specially tailored to their career interests, followed by a yearlong mentorship with a local industry leader upon their return to Australia.
The Scholarship is sponsored by Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Applications close Friday 4 May.
Click here for more information

​Applications are now being invited from currently practising, WA-based Adult Literacy / ESL Teachers to participate in the Teach Me Grammar Program 2018-19. Funded by the Department of Training and Workforce Development, this program is free to all participants. Applicants from regional areas may apply for a scholarship to cover travel, accommodation and meals costs associated with attending the program. The deadline for lodgement of applications is 5.00pm Tuesday 10 April 2018, with successful applicants being notified by COB Thursday 12 April 2018.
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Click here for application guidelines
Click here for the application form

According to the latest Hotel Price Index, a Hotels.com report on average accommodation prices in major destinations, Australian Eco-tourism hubs and destinations that offer natural wonders or outdoor adventure experiences yielded the greatest price increases in 2017.
The Index reveals that of 50 Australian destinations measured, Exmouth in WA’s Coral Coast reported the highest percentage increase for international visitors.
For more information, please click here

PwC Skills for Australia is investigating industry needs for 3D printing in addition to reviewing the current 3D printing units and skill sets in the Printing and Graphic Arts Training Package. They are seeking comment from a diverse audience, both in printing and other industries, who are using 3D printing including: employers, industry representatives, peak bodies/associations, trainers or training providers, subject matter experts, recruiters and anyone with interest or expertise in this field.
Click here for more information and to provide feedback.

On 21 March, Tourism WA launched a plan that will increase visitor numbers to Western Australia.
To make Western Australia the most desirable leisure and business events destination in Australia, the plan focuses on four key areas: positioning WA as the western gateway to Australia; promoting Perth as an affordable, vibrant destination; attracting more visitors to regional WA; and intensifying promotional activity in core target markets.
To download the Two-Year Action Plan, please click here

The State Government has released a framework to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour. Active Living for All 2017-19 is a document which supports integrated and coordinated efforts in promoting the provision of public open space, sport and recreation facilities and healthy lifestyle behaviour change programs. 
For more information and to download the framework click here. 

The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) has released a communique with an update on the Culture and Related Industries (CUA) Training Package. It has been confirmed the Case for Endorsement for the following projects has been approved for implementation:

• Legal Rights and Obligations
• Arts Access

These training product changes should be reflected on the Training.gov.au website by April 2018. You can view the Case for Endorsement here.

Skills Service Organisations (SSOs) have released their new draft Industry Skills Forecasts and Proposed Schedules of Work. These documents identify skills gaps and emerging skills needs within industry. For further information and to provide comment, click on the relevant industry links below. 

• SkillIQ's Sport and Recreation Industry Skills Forecast 2018-2019 - feedback closes on 23 March 2018;
• PwC Skills for Australia's Printing and Graphic Arts Skills Forecast 2018-2019 - feedback closes 3 April 2018;
• PwC Skills for Australia's Culture and Related Industries Skills Forecast 2018-2019 - feedback closes 3 April 2018;
• Skills Impact's Racing IRC Skills Forecast 2018-2021 - feedback closes on 12 April 2018.

SkillsIQ, under the direction of the Sport and Recreation Industry Reference Committee and a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), is undertaking a comprehensive update of the following ten qualifications and associated units of competency in the SIS10 Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package:

• SIS20412 Certificate II in Sport Career Oriented Participation
• SIS20513 Certificate II in Sport Coaching
• SIS30613 Certificate III in Sport Career Oriented Participation
• SIS30713 Certificate III in Sport Coaching
• SIS30813 Certificate III in Sport Trainer
• SIS30913 Certificate III in Sport Officiating
• SIS40512 Certificate IV in Sport Coaching
• SIS40612 Certificate IV in Sport Development
• SIS50512 Diploma of Sport Coaching
• SIS50612 Diploma of Sport Development

Draft 1 material is available for comment. SkillsIQ will also gather stakeholder feedback through public consultation forums, interviews and webinars until 4 May 2018.  
Click here for more information and to provide feedback.

Skills Impact have developed a draft Certificate IV in Farriery to replace the current Certificate III in Farriery. They are seeking feedback from industry stakeholders on the proposed qualification. The reviewed units more closely align to the level of complexity and actual farrier work being done within industry. Units have also been developed for barefoot trimmers, including a new Certificate III in Equine Barefoot Care.
Click here to make comment.