Research has revealed that 186,000 people attended the Field of Light: Avenue of Honour artwork in Albany commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1 and to honour the Anzac legend.
The artwork of 16,000 illuminated glass spheres, designed by UK artist Bruce Munro, was exhibited between October 2018 and April 2019.
The event generated visitor spend of $17 million and benefitted the entire South West region from accommodation providers collectively hosting 82,238 nights to attractions in the region including the Stirling Range National Park, Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk and the region’s food and beverage operators. Almost 29,500 people visited the region specifically to see the Field of Light: Avenue of Honour. 
Media Statement

The 2019 National Student Outcomes Survey opened on Friday 31 May for VET students who completed a training qualification or subject during 2018.  More than 800,000 people will be contacted between May and August to collect information on employment outcomes, training satisfaction, and the benefits and relevance of their training.

The results of the annual survey will help students to make informed decisions about training via the My Skills website, and assist governments and training providers in administering, planning and monitoring the VET system.  A free kit is provided by NCVER to help training organisations promote the survey to former students.

The Australian Government is encouraging registered training organisations (RTOs) to participate in a research project to help potential students better connect to RTOs through the My Skills website.  My Skills receives more than two million visits per year. If RTOs are interested in helping  and can put aside less than an hour in the next two months, they can register here.

For more information about this research project, email: MySkillsProject@education.gov.au.

SkillsIQ have released the SIR Retail Services Training Package V4.0 Case for Endorsement. This relates to the creation of seven new cross-sector units of competency in the area of Consumer Engagement via Online and Social Media.
 
This is one of eight cross-sector projects which the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) has commissioned for the development of generic Training Package Products, in order to strategically address common skills needs identified in Industry Skills Forecasts. Read more about the projects on the AISC website.
 
The Case for Endorsement and the Implementation Guide can be accessed through the links below:

1. Consumer Engagement via Online and Social Media Case for Endorsement
   
2. SIR Retail Services Companion Volume Implementation Guide

If you would like to comment, contact your FutureNow Industry Manager.   The feedback period closes on 28 June 2019. 

Western Australia has been named as the host for the Fed Cup final.  The International Tennis Federation announced the final would be held on home soil after team Australia, captained by WA's Alicia Molik and led by Australia's No.1 tennis player and recent Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty, defeated Belarus in the semi-final in April. 
 
Perth is one of three cities to host the new ATP competition, which is set to attract around 100 of the world's best male tennis players who will compete for 750 highly coveted ATP ranking points and $22 million in prize money.

"The more we continue to secure major events like these in Perth, the more it helps boost visitor numbers and tourism spend in Western Australia, which helps grows the economy and creates more jobs." said premier Mark McGowan.
 
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NCVER has released the latest national apprentice and trainee data showing there were 33 760 trade and non-trade commencements in the December 2018 quarter, down 4.2% compared with the same quarter in 2017.

Overall there were 259 385 apprentices and trainees in-training as at 31 December 2018, a decrease of 1.0% from 31 December 2017.

The State Government is partnering with the Shire of Nannup to establish Nannup as a trails hub for cyclists.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Forestry Chris Tallentire today announced at an event launching the trails project in Nannup that the McGowan Government has committed $15,000 from the Forests Products Commission (FPC) and $133,000 from Lotterywest.  The funding will go towards the development of a cycling masterplan, and the preparation of documents to sanction cycling trails in the Shire of Nannup.

The trails hub is set to increase tourism and stimulate the local economy as well as engage communities and strengthen the relationship between active forest users and forest management practices.

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Employers need to do more to prepare for the digital future of work or risk being left behind, according to a new report released today by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).

The report Skilling the Australian workforce for the digital economy, based on research conducted by RMIT University and Australian Industry Standards, also reveals the degree to which digital technologies are being adopted in Australian workplaces is highly variable despite most employers acknowledging their importance.

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Download the report