The Federal Court last week handed a record $26.5 million fine to failed training college Empower Institute, as well as a demand it repays more than $56 million to the Commonwealth Government for funding it received to run courses.

At the time colleges were accused of targeting vulnerable people outside places like Centrelink with the offer of free laptops. Many students were left with heavy VET-FEE-HELP debts, no diploma and no job, after paying around $15,000 for their courses.

Empower was one of a number of education providers that failed during a Federal Government crackdown on rorting of the taxpayer-funded VET-FEE-HELP loan scheme in 2015.   Read the full article

The installation of two spectacular cantilevered walkways to offer unprecedented views over the Murchison River Gorge has begun taking shape.

The $5.3 million viewing platforms offer soaring views of the gorges and spectacular surrounds, and were pre-fabricated in Henderson before being transported north in 13 segments on nine trucks.

Overall, this $24 million project, which includes $10.1 million of road and car park improvements, has created more than 150 local jobs during the construction phase and 10 jobs for local Aboriginal people.  This attraction will continue to create employment opportunities post-construction for tourism businesses, accommodation providers and associated service industries.

Two Aboriginal rangers have also been employed full-time in the national park to help manage the increased tourism levels.  Read more

A virtual fly-through video of the site can be viewed here.

The State Government has launched the latest round of the Targeted Participation Program (TPP) to encourage low-participation groups to share in the benefits of community sport and recreation.
 
There are a number of demographic groups which typically have lower participation rates in sport and recreation - including disengaged youth, Aboriginal people, teenage girls, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with a disability, and those over 60.
 
The TPP provides funding to sport and recreation projects which aim to engage these demographics - helping to share the many health, social and community-building benefits grassroots sport provides.
 
The TPP is now open for applications, with grants of $50,000 to $150,000 available. Applications close October 14, 2019.
 
For more information and  to apply

Two new grant programs that opened this week will increase the number and variety of arts and culture activities presented in regional Western Australia, by supporting the costs of their delivery. The Playing WA grant program provides up to $120,000 for performing arts shows to tour to regional and remote locations.

The Regional and Remote Festivals Fund offers up to $80,000 to support the presentation of arts and cultural activities at regional and remote festivals. Funding may support travel, accommodation and salary expenses, or equipment hire and the delivery of community engagement activities.

Applications are open now until October 31, 2019 for local artists, arts groups and organisations, regional local government authorities, Aboriginal communities, and Regional Development Commissions. The grant programs are part of the Regional Arts and Culture Investment Program, which will invest almost $20 million over the next four years for the benefit of regional Western Australia.

Read more about the new funds.

 ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2019 report provides a snapshot of Australia’s digital economy, workforce and policy landscape, prepared by Deloitte Access Economics on behalf of ACS. The analysis of Australia’s ICT sector, the increasing use of digital technologies, and key enablers of future growth and innovation provide a platform and evidence base for broader public discussion on digital issues.
According to the report, the highest policy priority for the digital economy is skills development. The benefit from reskilling workers to meet employer demand for digital skills could potentially be more than $11,000 per worker per annum for the Australian economy. Investment in reskilling will enable immediate skills shortages to be met and ensure Australia has the digital talent to seize new opportunities created by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Download the full report.

The state Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has released a new report: Social Impacts of Culture and the Arts WA.
Artistic and cultural organisations are increasingly being required to justify the funding they receive through the direct benefits associated with their activities. This poses a challenge for the arts community as their primary drivers are not necessarily quantifiable (e.g. the delivery of high-quality artistic experiences, provoking thought or developing artistic ability). 
This Social Impact study identifies and quantifies social benefits in the broader community that are generated through participation or attendance at artistic and cultural activities. 
The Social Impacts of Culture and the Arts report and its application are part of the further development of the overall Public Value Measurement model. The report contains a literature review identifying positive social impacts linked to artistic and cultural activities and has found there are social impacts that can be measured. The focus lies on three main areas of social impacts: health, education and social capital.    

Read the full report

The winners of the WA Training Awards were announced at the 25th annual awards ceremony on 13 September.  The Awards highlight the achievements of apprentices, trainees, VET students, trainers, training organisations and employers in the training sector.
 
Thirteen individuals and organisations scooped top honours at the Western Australian Training Awards tonight for their commitment to innovation and excellence in the vocational education and training (VET) sector.

WA Apprentice of the Year was won by Anthony Di Cristofaro and Dushika Poposki was awarded WA International Student of the Year.  Take a look at the stories of other winners and finalists for 2019.
 
Some category winners will now advance to compete against the nation's best at the Australian Training Awards in Brisbane on November 21, 2019.

PWCs Skills for Australia is inviting feedback on the validation draft of the reviewed and restructured  ICP Printing and Graphic Arts Training Package products.  These products  are now available for a final review period until COB September 27, 2019. 

Feedback can be provided by emailing the documents with comments or tracked changes to info@skillsforaustralia.com or by visiting the PWCs Skills for Australia website.

Download the draft training products.

Employers keen to promote careers in their industry can now refer potential applicants to an occupational profiles section that has recently been added to the Jobs and Skills WA website.

The new section offers information on employment trends, and also contains over 550 occupational profiles. Each profile provides details such as day-to-day duties, working conditions, salary, personal requirements and educational qualifications, to help with decision making about training, careers and jobs.  These are an excellent resource for students, career planners and jobseekers, and a great tool for VET practitioners and employers.

Jobs and Skills WA website
Jobs and Skills WA Occupational Profiles

The State Government is set to achieve a historic reform package for the racing industry and broader community, with the passage of a Bill that will pave the way for the long-awaited sale of the WA TAB.
 
In addition to being beneficiaries of the most generous point of consumption tax revenue sharing arrangements in the country, the sale of the TAB will ensure the industry receives the same operational funding levels it would have otherwise received, while 35 per cent of sale proceeds will be set aside for a dedicated racing infrastructure fund.
 
The McGowan Government has carefully consulted with the racing industry and broader community throughout the process.  Read more