Energising Tasmanian Training Fund - Application Process, Eligibility Criteria and Conditions i
Energising Tasmania Training Fund Program
RTO Guide to the application process, Eligibility Criteria and Conditions
Open Date: 7 March 2020
Closing Date: 30 June 2021
Energising Tasmanian Training Fund - Application Process, Eligibility Criteria and Conditions ii
These guidelines are to be used by Endorsed Registered Training Organisations (ERTOs/RTOs) applying for funding under the Energising Tasmania Training Fund Program.
Lodgement of application
All program documentation can be accessed from: https://www.skills.tas.gov.au/providers/rto/funding_programs_for_endorsed_rtos/energising_tasmania_training_fund
Key dates
Submissions open: Saturday 7 March 2020
Closing date for submissions: Wednesday 30 June 2021
Details of how to register for webinar are published on: https://www.skills.tas.gov.au/providers/rto/funding_programs_for_endorsed_rtos/energising_tasmania_training_fund.
Enquiries about the Energising Tasmania initiative should be directed to:
Matthew Dance, Senior Project Officer – Energy and Infrastructure, (03) 6165 6059 or [email protected]
Enquiries about Energising Tasmania – Skills Fund should be directed to:
Deb Doherty: (03) 6165 6012 or [email protected]
Enquiries about Energising Tasmania – Apprentice and Trainee Training Fund should be directed to:
Jen McLeod: (03) 6165 6027 or [email protected]
ContentsEnergising Tasmania Training Fund...................................................................1Program overview............................................................................................1Application conditions, requirements and processes..........................................2
Learner eligibility................................................................................................................. 2Qualifications....................................................................................................................... 3Application conditions for both streams..............................................................................3Relevant legislation.............................................................................................................4Conflict of interest...............................................................................................................5Lodging an application........................................................................................................5Supporting documentation..................................................................................................5Number of places - Evidence of Demand............................................................................5
Energising Tasmania – Skills Fund.....................................................................6Grant templates.................................................................................................................. 6Learner eligibility................................................................................................................. 6Risk Management Plan........................................................................................................6Training commencement.....................................................................................................6Selection criteria................................................................................................................. 7Assessment and selection process......................................................................................7Naming conventions............................................................................................................8Completion of training.........................................................................................................8
Energising Tasmania - Apprentice and Trainee Training Fund.............................9Application assessment critieria..........................................................................................9Grant conditions.................................................................................................................. 9Learner eligibility critieria..................................................................................................12
Post-Grant – ET Fund application streams........................................................14Arrangements for successful applicants............................................................................14Unsuccessful applications.................................................................................................14Payments.......................................................................................................................... 14Evidence requirements for reporting.................................................................................15Publishing details of successful grant applicants..............................................................15
Energising Tasmanian Training Fund - Application Process, Eligibility Criteria and Conditions iii
Energising Tasmania Training Fund This document provides Endorsed Registered Training Organisations (Endorsed RTOs) intending to submit applications with information about the contractual requirements, obligations and conditions of applying for and receiving funding under the Energising Tasmania Training Fund (the ET Fund) program.
The ET Fund is for the purchase of nationally recognised training. The outcome of the grant process is that the Department of State Growth enters into agreements with Endorsed RTOs for the delivery of training and assessment services.
The specifications of the training being purchased are described in the nationally recognised training packages, which detail the units of competence, qualifications and assessment requirements.
Program overviewEnergising Tasmania is an Australian Government funding commitment of $16.143 million to support Tasmania in developing a skilled workforce equipped with the expertise needed for the Battery of the Nation initiative and, more broadly, renewable energy and related sectors (in Tasmania). Key outputs of the Energising Tasmania agenda are represented in the Project Agreement for Energising Tasmania – negotiated between Australian and Tasmanian Government delegates.
The Energising Tasmania Training Fund (the ET Fund) is a key output of the Project Agreement for Energising Tasmania. It is the intention of the ET Fund to deliver and subsidise training and workforce development activities to existing workers that enable energy, infrastructure and related sectors to drive economic growth and employment. In the context of this grant round, the ET Fund provides Endorsed RTOs fully subsidised training places to deliver full nationally-recognised qualifications to existing workers in the context of the Energising Tasmania agenda.
The ET Fund will specifically target the following industries in priority skills areas pertinent to the broader energy and infrastructure agenda in Tasmania:
Advanced Manufacturing Energy (water, electricity, hydrogen, wind, solar) Engineering Infrastructure (including civil construction; building and construction)
Non-Tuition Costs
Up to $1000 for non-tuition costs can be requested per learner.
Non-tuition is defined as costs required to meet various administrative fees that are payable in addition to the costs required for the delivery and assessment of the training program.
Non-tuition costs may include, for example: text books, work books, protective clothing, uniform, equipment, printing, stationary, and criminal record and health checks.
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Skills Tasmania reserves the right to refuse requested non-tuition cost support. The provision of further evidence may be requested by Skills Tasmania through the ET Fund application assessment process. Nominated non-tuition costs may also be subject to an audit upon closing of the grant round.
Application conditions, requirements and processesThe Energising Tasmania Training Fund has two mechanisms for Endorsed RTOs to access training for employees:
1. Energising Tasmania – Skills Fund
2. Energising Tasmania – Apprentice and Trainee Training Fund.
This guide focuses on the Energising Tasmania Training Fund. The Energising Tasmania Training Fund or “The ET Fund” is a rolling grant which means applications will be accepted during the whole opening period of the grant. The Fund will open on 7 March 2020, with applications accepted until 30 June 2021 (or until grant funds are fully allocated).
Learner EligibilityEndorsed RTOs requesting to deliver approved qualifications (refer page 3 of these guidelines) must ensure that the learners are employed in the defined industries listed below. The delivery of approved qualifications to employers outside of this defined list are ineligible for the ET Fund.
C Manufacturing 21 Primary Metal and Metal Product Manufacturing 22 Fabricated Metal Product ManufacturingD Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services 26 Electricity Supply 27 Gas Supply 28 Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage ServicesE Construction 30 Building Construction 31 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction 32 Construction ServicesM Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 692 Architectural, Engineering and Technical Services
Sector Source Codes: Australian and New Zealand Standard Industry Classification (ANZSIC)
Additional support from industry associations when applying for the ET Fund may include:
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Engineers Australia Civil Contractors Federation (Tas) Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council Tasmanian Building and Construction Industry Training Board.
Note: Government agencies are not eligible for this program.
Qualifications Eligible qualifications targeting the ET Fund have been determined in consultation with key industry stakeholders and informed by recent workforce planning activity conducted by relevant peak industry associations – including, but not limited to, the Civil Contractors Federation and Engineers Australia. The eligible qualifications have also been informed by the Workforce Development Plan for the Tasmanian Energy Sector (Stage 1) – completed in September 2020.
Below is a table outlining the approved qualifications for delivery and the published rate per approved place under the ET Fund.
Qualification Subsidy per place
$BSB41419 Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety $3,143BSB41515 Certificate IV in Project Management Practice $2,236BSB42015 Certificate IV in Leadership and Management $3,357BSB51415 Diploma of Project Management $3,440BSB51918 Diploma of Leadership and Management $4,720MEM30219 Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade $8,301MEM30319 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade $8,301MEM40119 Certificate IV in Engineering $11,223MEM50212 Diploma of Engineering – Technical $8,047NWP30315 Certificate III in Water Industry Treatment $3,140RII30815 Certificate III in Civil Construction – Plant Operations $10,164RII30915 Certificate III in Civil Construction $11,646UEP30218 Certificate III in ESI Generation - Operations $7,055UEP40218 Certificate IV in ESI Generation – Operations $9,557UET20319 Certificate II in ESI – Powerline Vegetation Control $3,351
It is important to note that the subsidy is paid in instalments to the RTO as the RTO reports AVETMISS data to Skills Tasmania that shows the commencement and completion of units by each apprentice or trainee (see page 15).
Additional grant conditions may be applied by Skills Tasmania where a higher subsidy is approved.
Application conditions for both streamsThe following conditions determine a RTO's eligibility to apply for subsidies through the ET Fund.
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Registration
RTOs must be registered in accordance with the requirements of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015.
Scope of registration
RTOs must only submit applications to the ET Fund where the qualification(s) are included on their scope of registration for delivery in Tasmania at the time of lodging the application.
Skills Tasmania Endorsed RTO status
RTOs applying to the ET Fund must be an approved Skills Tasmania Endorsed RTO at the time of submitting an application and the endorsement must include the qualification/s for which the RTO has applied. For information regarding the Skills Tasmania Endorsed RTO system, visit the Skills Tasmania website .
ASQA information sharing
An RTO applying to the ET Fund, by its application, expressly authorises the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and Skills Tasmania to share information regarding any action or issues effecting the RTOs registration status, audit outcomes, complaints lodged and/or investigated, current or pending sanctions or other pending actions against the RTO.
Financial viability
RTOs applying for any Skills Tasmania grants must be financially viable at the time of applying for and for the duration of any subsequent funding agreement.
A financially viable entity is one that is not under external administration, being wound up, dissolved or trading while insolvent or where a liquidator has been appointed.
To demonstrate financial viability the RTO must be able to show, if requested, the ability to generate sufficient income to meet operating payments, debt commitments and, where applicable, to allow for growth while maintaining service levels.
In addition, by submitting an application, the applicant agrees to meet all conditions and requirements in the Department of State Growth (Skills Tasmania) Agreement for all Programs and in this document; the ET Fund RTO Guide.
Skills Tasmania reserves the right to amend the contractual requirements, obligations or guidelines at any time prior to the completion of the grant and the finalisation of contracts with successful Endorsed RTOs.
Third Party arrangements
RTOs applying to the ET Fund must attach copies of current third party agreement/s where one or more third parties are or will be providing training and/or assessment services for any of the qualifications and/or units of competency for which the RTO has applied. The third party agreement/s must clearly show the roles and responsibilities of the RTO and the third party and must cover the period of any ET Fund agreement if the application were to be approved.
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The application must clearly show to which qualification/s the third party arrangements apply.
Relevant legislationThe legislation that governs the work of Skills Tasmania is the Training and Workforce Development Act 2013. The object of the Act is to “establish a system of training and workforce development that supports a skilled and productive workforce and contributes to economic and social progress in Tasmania”.
All Tasmanian Government grants are administered in accordance with Treasurer’s Instruction FC-12 Grant Management.
Personal information will be managed in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004. Information provided to Skills Tasmania is subject to the provisions of the Right to Information Act 2009. These Acts can be viewed on the Tasmanian Government legislation website.
Skills Tasmania will respect the privacy and confidentiality of any information contained within the application, including attachments, that is directly related to the business activities of the nominated grant recipient or identified partner.
Conflict of interestThe RTO must declare that at the time of the application, no conflict of interest exists, or is likely to arise, in the performance of the Contracted Services and that if, during the Term, a conflict of interest arises then the RTO is to notify Skills Tasmania immediately in writing of that conflict or risk.
Lodging an applicationET Fund applications must be completed on-line using SmartyGrants. The Help Guide for Applicants provides very useful advice, particularly on accessing saved applications and printing the application out prior to submitting.
Applicants must register with SmartyGrants before making an online application. Registration gives secure access to the application forms allowing them to be worked on over time rather than having to complete them all at once.
Applicants should ensure that all mandatory eligibility requirements are met prior to submitting the application.
Where mandatory criteria are not met, the application will be deemed ineligible and will not be assessed or considered for grant funding.
Supporting documentationApplicants should attach any relevant material to the application, including the partner support documents and the risk management plan (where applicable).
Assessors will be looking for evidence related to the application. Evidence that does not specifically relate to this application should not be included.Energising Tasmanian Training Fund - Application Process, Eligibility Criteria and Conditions 5
Number of places - Evidence of DemandThe number of places requested will need to be evidenced in your supporting documentation.
Skills Tasmania reserves the right to approve a lower number of places than applied for by the RTO.
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Energising Tasmania – Skills FundWhere the individual learner is deemed ineligible for an apprenticeship or traineeship, the RTO can apply for places via the Energising Tasmania – Skills Fund application stream of the ET Fund.
RTOs must meet the following requirements and address the Criteria of the Energising Tasmania – Skills Fund. This is in addition to meeting and complying with the ET Fund conditions and requirements outlined in this guide.
The application can be accessed via SmartyGrants - https://skills.smartygrants.com.au/ETTF-SF.
When considering the timing of when to submit an application, consider whether the training can commence within 6 months of the schedule agreement date if the application is successful. It will be a requirement that training must commence within 6 months from the schedule agreement date.
Grant templatesThe following templates must be used when submitting an application to the Energising Tasmania – Skills Fund:
Training requested table Training summary Employer support
The templates can be downloaded from the https://www.skills.tas.gov.au/providers/rto/funding_programs_for_endorsed_rtos/energising_tasmania_training_fund
Learner eligibilityAll learners accessing the Energising Tasmania – Skills Fund program must be a Tasmanian resident aged 16 years or over AND be an existing worker. A Tasmanian resident is defined as a permanent resident of Australia living in Tasmania for a minimum of six (6) months.
An existing worker is defined as someone aged 16 years or over who regularly works for pay, profit or commission.
Learner eligibility details are available in Schedule 2.1 Clause 4 of the Skills Tasmania Agreement.
Risk Management PlanConsider the risks to the viability and completion of this training program and complete the Risk Management Plan Template. The contingency/mitigating actions provided will be used to as part of Skills Tasmania’s assessment of any grant applications, variation requests (if the application is successful) and in applications in future grant rounds.
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Training commencement It is a condition of the Energising Tasmania – Skills Fund program that training in all places must commence within 6 months of the schedule agreement date. The 'training can commence from' and 'training in all places must commence by' will be identified in the Schedule agreement and PCID Report. Delivery of training cannot start earlier than that date.
These timeframes could be extended on request to the Energising Tasmania – Skills Fund’s Program Manager.
Selection criteriaThe selection criteria requires that applicants demonstrate the skills, networks and organisational capacity to meet the needs of their clients and the requirements of the training packages.
Responses to the criteria should be written with the audience in mind - in this case, members of the selection panel who will be assessing the application may not have specific knowledge about training packages and/or learner needs. Therefore the responses must be as clear and straight forward as possible.
Applicants should use the templates provided for the criteria. If they are not used, the responses may not be considered.
The three criteria identified in the table below have a weighting applied. There is an evidence guide for each criterion in the SmartyGrants application - https://skills.smartygrants.com.au/ETTF-SF.
Criterion Weighting
Criteria 1 - Demonstrated need for training services.The RTO must outline why the qualification is required by the employer/s and provide direct written evidence from each employer as to the need for the training and the specific training outcome/s needed by each employer.
50%
Criteria 2 – Outline the training summary for the proposed program/s.
The RTO must complete a separate Training Summary template for each qualification being applied for.
30%
Criteria 3 – Identification of learner support needs, provision of learner support service/s and or referral of learners to support service/s.
Outline the:o process for identifying individual learner support needs prior
to the commencement of the program.o methods used to refer learners to relevant support services.o support provided to learners through to the completion of
their training and during their initial employment period where needed.
o list the range of support services provided to learners by the RTO, to which learners are referred.
20%
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Assessment and selection processAs the ET Fund is a rolling grant, the Energising Tasmania - Skills Fund program is still a competitive process and applications will be assessed on their merit.
This means that not all submissions will be successful.
Applicants should ensure that the information provided in the application complies with all identified conditions in the Skills Tasmania Agreement, this guide and the application form/s.
The maximum score for each criteria is 10 and then the weighting is applied to bring the total score possible to 100. Submissions which score less than 50 weighted points in total will not be considered for funding.
All eligible applications will be assessed via the following process:1. An initial assessment of the application is conducted against the mandatory conditions
and checks for accuracy.2. A selection panel meets to assess and score the submission against the criteria.
Note: Each panel member is required to sign a confidentiality and conflict of interest form. Any individual involved in the selection process who has declared a conflict of interests will not participate in any decisions involving a potential conflict.
3. A report, including recommendations for funding or other conditions, will be submitted to the General Manager for approval.
As part of the assessment process applications will be monitored for excessive requests for training by any one organisation. If this occurs, Skills Tasmania reserves the right to negotiate to adjust the application.
During the selection process, officers within the Department of State Growth (represented by Skills Tasmania) may seek further details from the applicant or an independent industry representative. Skills Tasmania as the purchasing body will make the final decision.
Naming conventionsAll attached supporting documentation, the Training Requested Table and Risk Management Strategy should be named to reflect the Application ID supplied by Smarty Grants, the name of the RTO applying, the section of the submission that the documentation relates to and a brief description of the document.
For example: ET001001-RTO_SC3_Program Overview
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Completion of training Most training will be completed within a four year period. However if an additional period is required, RTOs are to obtain permission from the Program Manager for Energising Tasmania – Skills Fund to extend the contract.
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Energising Tasmania - Apprentice and Trainee Training FundApplication assessment criteria Applications for the Energising Tasmania – Apprentice and Trainee Training Fund (ET-ATTF) will need to meet the application conditions (page 3), and will be assessed against the ET-ATTF assessment criteria (below).
Skills Tasmania Endorsed RTOs are required to lodge a completed application and sufficient evidence against the assessment criteria.
The three ET-ATTF assessment criteria are:
Criterion 1 – Training methods and resources
The endorsed RTO must outline and provide evidence of the specific method/s and resources used to provide structured training for each of the qualifications for which the RTO has applied.
Criterion 2 – Assessing and meeting employer needs
The Endorsed RTO must:
outline and provide evidence of how it assesses the needs of each employer provide written evidence from at least one Tasmanian employer for each qualification
requested, indicating the employer’s support of the RTO’s services to be provided to apprentices/trainees.
employer support must be from employers within the identified target industries outlined on page 1.
Criterion 3 – Supporting apprentices and trainees
The Endorsed RTO must outline and provide evidence of the process used to identify the support needs of each apprentice/trainee prior to the commencement of training and/or assessment. The process must include a method of providing that support to apprentices/trainees and/or for referral to relevant and accessible Tasmanian support services throughout the duration of their training.
Grant conditionsSuccessful applicants must ensure they meet all grant conditions.
Breaches of a grant condition/s may lead to amendment or cancellation of the RTO’s ET-ATTF agreement/s.
The grant conditions are:
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Executed Department of State Growth (Skills Tasmania) agreement for all Programs
If successful with an ET-ATTF application, the RTO’s Department of State Growth (Skills Tasmania) Agreement for all Programs must be executed as a Deed (if it is not already).
Staff awareness and understanding of ET-ATTF conditions and requirements
The RTO must ensure that relevant RTO staff are aware of and ensure compliance with the Fund conditions and requirements where the requirement relates to their role within the RTO.
Apprentice/trainee eligibility
RTOs must ensure that all apprentices and trainees who receive a subsidised training place are eligible for that subsidy.
Provision of structured training services by RTO staff
Structured training consists of activities scheduled and managed by RTO staff that build the skills and knowledge of apprentices/trainees.
The RTO must have a method of ensuring that the learner is fully engaging in the training as required; is progressing at an acceptable rate; is fully supported through the training and it can be demonstrated that it is the RTO trainer who is providing the skills and knowledge to the learner.
Structured training may include online training and some self-paced learning for the development of underpinning knowledge, provided these activities are scheduled and managed by the RTO according to the training and assessment strategy and the apprentice/trainee’s individual training plan.
The RTO must provide the apprentice/trainee with training and assessment services for all core and elective units and must meet all other requirements of the relevant training package, as well as all obligations deemed necessary by Skills Tasmania to deliver quality training.
Providing learning resources to an apprentice/trainee with no structured training by the RTO is not considered to be providing a training service for the purposes of ET-ATTF applications.
RTOs must be able to provide clear and sufficient evidence of the provision of structured training by an RTO staff member to the subsidised apprentice/trainee, if requested by Skills Tasmania.
Where apprentices/trainees have been deemed competent for a unit/s through an RPL process, the RTO must be able to provide sufficient evidence of the appropriateness of that process for that apprentice/trainee and that the process meets the full assessment requirements of the training package.
Training commencement timeframe
Training and assessment activity for ET-ATTF subsidised apprentices and/or trainees must commence between 29 February and 30 June 2021.
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Communicating costs to employer and apprentice/trainee
The amount of the Energising Tasmania - Apprentice and Trainee Training Fund grant subsidy paid by Skills Tasmania, as well as any costs that may be payable by the employer or the apprentice/trainee, must be communicated to the employer and the apprentice/trainee by the RTO at or before enrolment.
Training must not commence prior to the approval of an ET-ATTF agreement
Payments will not be made for units reported through AVETMISS data that indicate that training and/or assessment services were commenced prior to the commencement date of an RTO’s ET-ATTF agreement.
Grant payments eligibility requirements
Grant payments will only be made where:
a Department of State Growth (Skills Tasmania) Agreement for all Programs has been executed
an ET-ATTF agreement has been approved and executed the apprentice or trainee meets all ET-ATTF eligibility criteria and has a registered
training contract compliant AVETMISS data has reported training activity for the apprentice/trainee.
Each approved place that is allocated to an eligible apprentice/trainee continues to attract ET-ATTF subsidies until the apprentice/trainee either completes the qualification, their training contract is cancelled, or they transfer to another RTO. RTOs are not required to reapply each year for grants for apprentices/trainees who are already receiving ET-ATTF subsidised training unless the apprentice/trainee’s training contract is cancelled and the apprentice/trainee recommences or changes their qualification but remains with the same RTO. The exception is when an apprentice/trainee’s training contract is cancelled and they recommence with a new employer in the same qualification in the same calendar year as their original allocation to an ET-ATTF subsidised place. In this case the apprentice/trainee will continue to attract ET-ATTF subsidies under the new employer.If in doubt as to whether a new place should be allocated to an apprentice/trainee who has recommenced, contact the ET-ATTF Program Manager on 03 6165 6027 or [email protected]
Training must not commence prior to the commencement date of a training contractPayments will not be made for training that is conducted prior to the commencement date of the apprentice/trainee training contract.
Applying for replacement qualifications
The RTO must apply to Skills Tasmania to add a replacement qualification to a current ET-ATTF agreement, regardless of the equivalence or non-equivalence of the qualification.
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Allocation of places
Please note that unlike the 2020 Apprentice and Trainee Training Fund (User Choice), the number of places allocated under the ET-ATTF are a specific allocation that cannot be added to without a variation to the RTO’s ET-ATTF. If the RTO experiences demand for places beyond their initial allocation, additional places can be requested by emailing [email protected]. All requests for additional places are subject to availability of funding.
Skills Tasmania will not approve a large number of places for a qualification without written evidence from an employer or employers clearly indicating an intention to employer a particular number of apprentices/trainee in the qualification/s applied for during the ET Fund grant period.
Where additional places are not granted under the ET-ATTF, RTOs can elect to deliver the qualification under their 2020 Apprentice and Trainee Training Fund agreement (at the subsidy indicated in that agreement).
Delivery of approved qualifications outside of the defined industries will attract the Skills Tasmania subsidy rate as indicated in your 2020 Apprentice and Trainee Training Fund (User Choice) Agreement.
Management of allocation
The RTO must have a system or method which allows the RTO to identify which ET-ATTF subsidised places have been allocated to individual apprentices/trainees and how many places remain for allocation.
Grant amount
Skills Tasmania reserves the right to accept applications for higher subsidies where the circumstances are deemed by Skills Tasmania to warrant consideration. A detailed rationale for the higher subsidy request must be submitted in the application. Additional grant conditions may be applied by Skills Tasmania where a higher subsidy is approved.Skills Tasmania may require evidence of an employer financial contribution towards training and assessment costs for apprentices and trainees.
Policy
Apprenticeship and traineeship arrangements must meet the obligations of the national apprenticeship/traineeship training contract and the Tasmanian Traineeships and Apprenticeships Committee (TTAC) Policies and Guidelines. The TTAC Policies and Guidelines contain a range of rules for apprenticeships and traineeships including essential employment conditions and specific supervision requirements.
Learner eligibility criteriaEligible learners must be an apprentice or a trainee, can be new or existing workers, year 10, 11 or 12 students or previously-qualified apprentices and trainees. RTOs must determine that each learner in receipt of ET-ATTF subsidies is able to meet the learner eligibility criteria. Fund subsidies cannot be paid for learners who are unable to meet the learner eligibility criteria.
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Failure to ensure learner eligibility may lead to amendment or cancellation of ET-ATTF agreements.
The Learner eligibility criteria are as follows:1. Training contract
1.1 The learner must be an apprentice or trainee and therefore a signatory to an active and registered training contract approved by the Tasmanian Traineeships and Apprenticeships Committee (TTAC) and be able to meet the obligations of the training contract and all TTAC Policies and Guidelines.
2. New workers 2.1 A new worker is an individual who has been employed immediately prior to the
commencement date of the training contract for less than three months full-time or twelve months part-time or casual by the employer with whom she/he is entering into a training contract.
3. Existing employee3.1 An existing employee is an individual who has been employed immediately prior to
the commencement date of the training contract for more than three (3) months on a full-time basis or more than 12 months on a part-time or casual basis by the employer with whom she/he is entering into a training contract.
3.2 Existing employees may also be eligible to receive ET-ATTF subsidies. 3.3 A school student as defined under the Education Act 1994 (Tasmania) is not
considered to be an existing employee even if they meet the definition outlined in 3.1.
4. A learner progressing from a lower AQF level to a higher AQF level under a training contract will not be deemed an existing employee if a new training contract is entered into within 12 months of the completion of the previous training contract. This applies whether the higher level qualification is in the same field or a different field; provided that at the time the first training contract was signed the apprentice or trainee was a new employee, as defined in this section.
5. School-based apprenticeships and traineeships5.1 The availability of an apprenticeship or traineeship as a school-based
apprenticeship or traineeship is indicated at Skills Tasmania approved apprenticeships and traineeships as a 'School Based Pathway'.
5.2 School-based apprentices and trainees must be currently enrolled in either year 10, 11 and 12 at a Tasmanian school.
5.3 Subsidies for school-based apprentices and trainees will not be paid where the school at which the apprentice or trainee is enrolled is also the RTO providing training and assessment. It is expected that the training and assessment services will be subsidised through the school’s normal resourcing mechanisms for school students.
6. Previously-funded apprentices and trainees6.1Apprentices and trainees with a qualification that was subsidised by Skills Tasmania
within the past 5 years will be eligible for further funding under the ET-ATTF for a subsequent qualification if:6.1.1 the grant sought is for a qualification unrelated to any previous subsidised
qualification
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6.1.2 the apprentice or trainee progresses to a higher level qualification in the same training package within 12 months of completing the previous subsidised qualification
6.1.3 the training package Qualification Description indicates that the qualification provides a different occupational outcome and/or additional skills and knowledge to the previously-funded qualification completed by the apprentice or trainee
6.1.4 Skills Tasmania determines that a subsequent version of the same qualification contains significant changes and/or additions and that it has become the new industry benchmark of essential skills and knowledge for that industry
6.1.5 Government, through changes to or the introduction of standards, licensing or legislation requires staff to update their qualification.
7. RTO staff ineligibility for funding7.1RTO staff are not eligible for ET-ATTF subsidies where the RTO providing the training
and assessment services is also the employer of the apprentice or trainee, as per the Department of State Growth (Skills Tasmania) Agreement for all Programs, or its replacement.
8. Special consideration8.1Where the RTO has determined that an apprentice or trainee does not meet the ET-
ATTF eligibility criteria but it is believed that a strong case exists to fund that particular apprentice or trainee, the RTO may make special consideration application to Skills Tasmania. Such applications will be assessed on merit using the available evidence and funding approval is not guaranteed.
Post-grant: ET Fund application streamsArrangements for successful applicantsRTOs who are notified they have successful applications will be required to enter into a funding agreement with the Department of State Growth, on behalf of the Crown in Right of Tasmania.
The Conditions of Contract for this grant are contained in the Department of State Growth (Skills Tasmania) Agreement for all Programs and of the General Terms and Conditions,
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Program Specific Terms and Conditions and the schedules outlined in clause 3.0 of that agreement.
Unsuccessful applicationsEach application must meet the RTO eligibility criteria and application conditions to be accepted and to progress to the assessment phase.
Each application is assessed and scored against the assessment criteria. Applications must meet each criterion to a satisfactory level in order to progress to the approval stage.
If an application does not meet the ET Fund criteria or conditions, the relevant Program Manager will email the RTO with the details of where the application has not met requirements. The RTO may be able to provide additional information that is sufficient to address the gaps in the application or it may choose to withdraw the application and submit a new application at a later date.
PaymentsDetails on payment arrangements can be found in Department of State Growth (Skills Tasmania) Agreement for all Programs .
RTO payment and reporting requirements are outlined in the Department of State Growth (Skills Tasmania) Agreement for all Programs.
Approved ET Fund agreements detail a number of places at a particular subsidy rate. Each qualification that is approved for an RTO is allocated a unique identifier which is referred to as the purchasing contract ID (the PCID).
RTOs are paid in instalments when they report training commencement and/or completion of units of competence to Skills Tasmania against the PCID through AVETMISS-compliant data.
It is important to note that induction and enrolment do not constitute the commencement of training and payments will not be made until structured training activity has commenced and is reported.
Evidence of training commencement may be requested by Skills Tasmania before payment can be made.
Any evidence provided must meet AVETMISS non-financial audit guidelines evidence requirements and be considered suitable and sufficient by Skills Tasmania.
The amount payable per unit will be determined by the outcome code reported in the AVETMISS data submitted by the RTO. For more information on payments and reporting, see the Skills Tasmania website .
Evidence requirements for reportingIn addition to evidence requirements of the AVETMISS Non-Financial audit guidelines, if Skills Tasmania requests evidence of the provision of structured training services delivered by RTO staff to the learner under the ET Fund, the evidence will need to clearly show:
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1. how, where, when, by whom and with which learner the training was conducted2. the specific methods and resources used to train3. the unit/s to which the training relates.
Skills Tasmania may contact employers and/or leaners to verify the evidence provided.
Publishing details of successful grant applicants The names of successful RTO applicants and the training programs approved for each RTO will be made publicly available on the Skills Tasmania’s website.
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Department of State Growth, Skills TasmaniaSalamanca PlaceGPO Box 536HOBART TAS 700103 6165 6059www.skills.tas.gov.au
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