BICCIAB staff and the management committee trust that you enjoyed the holiday break and are looking forward to a productive and safe year for the building and construction and civil industry.

On 3 December 2009 the National Quality Council (NQC) endorsed key changes to the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) Essential Standards for Registration. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) met on 7 December and endorsed the NQC’s amendments.

These important changes strengthen the AQTF and ensure regulators have the tools they need to protect the interests of all students undertaking Vocational Education and Training in Australia.

Read the Building Commission's December edition of pulse today. This month's edition includes interesting data on recycling in the construction and demolition sector, employment data and problems consumers encountered during building.

Each year BICCIAB submits an Industry Skill Needs report to Skills Victoria. The report outlines where the industry believes the government should be investing in training by identifying new and emerging skills needs. BICCIAB are now conducting industry interviews and consultation to inform the 2010 report.

BICCIAB held its annual industry forum at Rydges Melbourne on the 12th of November 2009. It was a great success with our speakers all providing very relevant and interesting perspectives on the future of apprenticeships. There were over 100 attendees who are now all very keen to continue the debate started at question time!

Did you now that you can suggest changes to the CPC08 Training Package as part of the CPSISC Continuous Improvement Process? Found a core unit that is just not right? Do apprentices and their employers agree with you? Well then log on to CPSISC's website and have your say.

The Industry Skills Council, CPSISC, have made a decision to move the development of national Building Design qualifications to the Property Services Sector. BICCIAB vehemently opposed this strategic move. Building Designers are allied to occupations such as Building Surveyors and Registered Builders, and as such development of national qualifications should remain with the building sector.

NTIS has been updated with Version 2 of the CPC08 Construction, Plumbing and Services Integrated Framework Training Package. This update includes the two new qualifications in the Fire Services Design field. To check out CPC08 visit the NTIS (note you will be leaving the BICCIAB website)

The National Skills Needs List includes qualifications that the Federal Government have deemed to be in a National skills shortage. This allows those who are in an apprenticeship to access federal government grants like 'Tools for your trade'.

CPSISC has developed resources for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to support the implementation of units of competency relevant to the Installation of Ceiling Insulation. The suite of materials have been funded by DEWHA under its Energy Efficient Homes Package.   

Between 1 December 2009 and 28 February 2010, the Australian Government will provide a $3,350 Apprentice Kickstart Bonus to employers who take on a young person aged 19 years and under into a traditional trade Australian Apprenticeship - this is in addition to existing financial benefits.

Thanks for visiting our new look website! Our aim is to provide you with up-to-date information on training matters that relate to the building and construction industry in Victoria. Our latest news page will change regularly so make sure you visit us again and also join in on our on-line polls.