Green Skills

WPC Group CEO Nicholas Wyman was presented with the 2012 Park Family Churchill Fellowship by The Governor of Victoria Alex Chernov recently.

Nicholas is particularly interested in the challenges companies face in finding and developing skilled employees.  Nicholas will be researching and reporting on youth unemployment and the transition between school and the world of work in Australia, Germany, France, the UK and the Netherlands. He also intends to see how these countries have embraced Sustainability in Apprenticeships and Traineships.  Other Churchill fellows for 2012 include Mr William Thomas who will investigate sustainability education and sustainability practice with emphasis on water, waste, energy and biodiversity – Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland.

The Churchill Trust was established in 1965 to honour the memory of Sir Winston Churchill by awarding overseas research Fellowships known as ‘Churchill Fellowships’. Later this month, The  Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC will present the award at Government House. 

Nicholas’ research focus will be comparing and contrasting two mid range and two low range European Union Countries who face similar challenges to Australia. Nicholas is looking for a New Approach to Engaging Young Australians in Skilled Careers. Nicholas said ‘It’s through the generosity of The Park Family, who share a passion for the study of issues relating to vocational training that make fellowships like this available’. To find out more about the The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust please visits www.churchilltrust.com.au

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced today that Toll plans to employ 700 new workers nationally as part of the Jobs1001 Campaign. Many of these positions will be Apprenticeship and Traineeship vacancies.

Jobs 1001 is one of Australia’s largest community inspired employment drives in the nation’s history. Interest in the jobs campaign has been overwhelming; WPC Groups Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Wyman said “In the first 4 weeks, we have had over 1200 new jobs created and over 5,000 job seekers sign on. As well as 700 articles published at community level.

CEO of WPC Group Nicholas Wyman says “the highlight of the campaign has been that many small businesses have offered full time opportunities to entry level workers. ‘These jobs are being created in not only metropolitan areas but also country and regional areas.  Large employers have also signed on with Nissan Motor Co announcing a mentored apprentice technician program and sales cadet program which also created 400 jobs, Employers should take a long range view, offer entry level positions and train people up to meet specific needs”.

Mercedes Benz  in partnership with WPC Group was awarded at the Victorian Training Awards the Victorian Employer Award for Apprentice Development. The award was presented by the Victorian Skills Commission and Skills Victoria. The Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall congratulated all winners in their achievements at the glittering ceremony at Crown Palladium “Much of Victoria’s competitive advantage comes from its highly skilled workforce and high quality industrial sector” said Mr Hall.

From auto open days, an accelerated apprenticeship program and track days at the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Mercedes-Benz Melbourne’s three-phase initiative – Attract, Retain and Develop – is about finding great candidates and holding on to them. This being done with the support of WPC Groups experienced Apprentice Mentors means employers like Mercedes-Benz are not in it alone, they have someone to turn to when the times get tough and in this case someone to celebrate with when awards are won.

Mr Hall said “These awards not only celebrate achievement, they also play a key role in fostering excellence in vocational education and training, which itself leads to amore highly skilled workforce”

The 3 phase initiative in collaboration with the 3 partners Mercedes-Benz, WPC Group and Kangan Institute means that these apprentices are mentored and supported through their entire apprenticeship to ensure a smooth transition to becoming a qualified trades person which in turn makes an impact on the critical skill shortage issue we face today. WPC Group and Mercedes Benz will remain a joined force attempting to stamp out the skills shortage in the automotive industry moving into the future.’

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How developing skills for sustainability can help benefit young workers as well as the environment

Abstract

‘Green jobs’ are the jobs of the future – and vital for transitioning to a lower carbon economy. A systemically green approach to industry and commerce brings environmental benefits and may encourage disengaged and unemployed young people to enter the workforce. Green jobs are often understood to be those that have a direct impact on our environment. For example, in reducing carbon emissions, developing alternative energy sources or reducing water usage. In fact, green jobs are those embracing ‘skills for sustainability’ and with an inbuilt sensitivity to the needs of the environment. Such skills should be embedded in all jobs in all sectors in the 21st Century. In Australia, every one of the country’s 450,000 apprentices and trainees (including those in automotive and construction) has at least one sustainability module embedded in their training programme.  Within the next 10 years, every job, regardless of whether or not it is within the environmental sphere, should incorporate sustainability skills: every industry has the potential to be greener.

Like many countries, Australia faces high youth unemployment and disengagement. It has had limited success creating awareness amongst employers and educational institutions about the importance of skills for sustainability. There is still a gap between the needs of the environment and the country’s economic drivers. Young people are amongst those most motivated to protect and preserve the environment; does skilling for sustainability present an opportunity to employ and engage more young people in work they will find meaningful and fulfilling?  Finding apprentices and trainees with an interest in skills for sustainability enables employers to develop the people they need to help them face the challenges of an increasingly green economy. Committing to developing skills for sustainability and creating greener jobs that attract and engage young people is the way forward for the economies that will lead the world tomorrow.