Queensland’s Leading Training Provider

So, you’ve decided to begin studying! Whether this is your first or next pathway, ASH is here to help you succeed.

We understand how difficult it may be to choose a vocational training provider in Queesland, so we’ve highlighted some of the features that set us apart from the competition. We’ve whittled it down to four main factors: cost, training location, delivery mode, and our trainers. Continue reading to see why ASH may be the best option for you.

Cost

We are proud to be an approved Skill Assure Funding Provider, meaning we’ve been approved by the Queensland Government to provide training and assessment services under the Certificate 3 Guarantee, Higher Level Skills, and User Choice Programs. All supported qualifications have eligibility requirements that each student must satisfy. These qualifications include our business courses, aged care and disability courses, childcare courses, telecommunication courses and community services courses.

This means that our students are not left with debt when they graduate.

Training Locations

Ashley Institute of Training has study locations right across Queensland that allows students every opportunity to enrol in a qualification. Our campus locations are: Salisbury (Head Office), Logan, Ipswich, and North Lakes.

We also deliver training in Brisbane CBD, Maroochydore, Inala, and Southport.

This flexibility allows students to choose from one of our study locations across Queensland and, in many cases, helps students, particularly regional students, to save money on travel and accommodation.

Mode of Delivery

There are a few things that set us apart when it comes to delivery.

Our students benefit from individualised help and 1:1 attention in the classroom, as well as additional tutoring outside of the classroom, thanks to our small class numbers (15-20 people each class).

In addition to smaller class sizes, and additional help, we offer a range of delivery options including face-to-face at one of our above-mentioned campus locations, blended delivery whereby students complete aspects of their training both virtually and in-person, and lastly, a fully online training package, like our Certificate III in Business (BSB30120) qualification.

Our Trainers

All our trainers have industry experience, which means they’ve worked in the field they’re teaching. This allows them to share firsthand knowledge and anecdotes with their students. These anecdotes assist many of our students in comprehending the courseware and then applying it to the real world.

Over the years, our trainers and wider team have developed a multitude of industry relationships, allowing us to provide specialised excursions and guest speakers, both of which our students adore. Furthermore, our industry connections enable us to assist students in obtaining placement opportunities with industry leaders. Our students are then able to participate in placement at a pre-arranged facility and fully utilise the opportunity as placement hosts trust the quality of students coming into their facility. Unsurprisingly, many of our students make such a positive impression during their placement that they are offered jobs at the facility.

In addition to these factors, many of our 5-star reviews emphasise our trainers’ great quality, which we completely agree with!

“‘I started my Certificate III in Individual Support in March and had the best trainer. Marinda was an amazing teacher and she was nothing but helpful and so knowledgeable. She encouraged me through my course to be the best I possibly could be. After completing the placement, I was encouraged to apply for a job there and ended up getting the job. I honestly believe I wouldn’t have got this opportunity if it wasn’t for my trainer and Ashley Institute of Training itself. Thank you for everything you guys have done for me.'”
Karla achieved her CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home & Community) with us in October 2021.

Finally, we recognise that we are just one education provider among many in Queesland; nonetheless, we are confident that we satisfy the needs of our students, provide high-quality training, and ensure that students are job-ready when they complete their course.

Everyone will have various needs when it comes to choosing a vocational training provider, so it is important that they research and find a provider that suits them.

To find out more about ASH, and how we can assist you on your training journey, you can contact us on 1300 274 539 or email us at info@ash.com.au.
We can’t wait to host you on campus soon!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW​

Are you an employer in the aged care, telecommunications, or healthcare sector?

You might have heard that there are initiatives out there to boost the number of apprentices or trainees in your industry. Good news, in this blog article, you’ll find everything you need to know when it comes to the Australian Government’s Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) initiative.

What is the BAC Initiative?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morrison Government introduced the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements programme to increase apprenticeships and traineeships across the nation while offering wage subsidy support to employers. The purpose of the initiative is to build a pipeline of skilled workers to support sustained economic recovery.

So where do traineeships come in? We get it. The title of the initiative can be confusing. The term ‘Australian Apprenticeship’ covers both traineeships and apprenticeships – both programs are virtually identical; They are both are competency-based training opportunities, with the key difference being the study areas on offer. For example, an apprenticeship can be completed in areas such as building and construction, hospitality or automotive, whereas traineeships are available in services such as childcare, healthcare or telecommunications.

Who is eligible for the subsidy?

If you’re an Australian employer, regardless of size/industry/location, you could be eligible, provided you meet the below:

• Engage an Australian Apprentice (remember the above definition) between October 5^th, 2020, and March 31^st, 2022.
• The above-mentioned Australian Apprentice is undertaking a Certificate II or higher qualification.
• The Training Contract for the above Australian Apprentice is formally approved by the relevant State Training Authority.

What you need to know

So, you’re reading along, nodding your head, and thinking, ‘this could really help us’ – great news! Here are a few extra things to consider.

• The subsidy will cover 50% of the Australian Apprentices gross wages up to $14,000 per quarter, provided they were signed into a Training Contract between October 5th, 2020, and March 31st, 2022. It applies to wages paid to an Australian Apprentice,  with a maximum rebate of $7,000 per quarter for a maximum period of 12 months from commencement or recommencement.
• The payments are made quarterly in arrears. All final claims must be submitted by June 30^th, 2023.
• Traineeships are available in Telecommunications, Aged Care and Individual Support.
• An existing worker is eligible for the BAC initiative provided one of the below factors apply

– they commence a trade based Australian Apprenticeship
– they transfer from casual employment to part-time or full-time Australian Apprenticeship, or; they transfer from part-time employment to full-time Australian Apprenticeship.

• The subsidy is not available to Employers who are already claiming other subsidies, such as the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees (SAT) or JobKeeper.
• Businesses may be eligible for additional financial incentives from the Australian Government when signing on an Australian Apprenticeship. This can be discussed with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN).
• Case studies 1 & 2 listed below illustrate both an example of a new and existing employee

How to apply

If you’re still reading, chances are, you recognise the great opportunity available for your organisation.

Here’s what we recommend next.

1. Book an appointment with our Business Development Managers to discuss the options available for your employees by clicking here.  Even better, we’ll come directly to you and arrange for an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) organisation to join us and discuss federal funding.
2. If you already work with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN), you can contact them directly and advise them that we are your RTO of choice.

To find out more information about the BAC initiative, you can visit the Australian Government’s webpage here.

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Case Study 1: Nicola

Nicola is a 47-year-old former retail worker that has started 2-months ago with her employer as a PC2 in Central QLD. Her employer enters her into a Certificate III in Individual Support Traineeship with Ashley Institute of Training (ASH), in which she is classified as a part-time Permanent – New Worker. Over the course of her 13-month Traineeship, Nicola attracts for the employer a $1500 Completion Incentive, $1000 Rural and Regional Skills Shortage Incentive and a $1500 Mature Aged Worker Incentive, sub-totalling $4000.

On top of this Nicola has 50% of her wage subsidised for the first 12 months of her Traineeship through the federal Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements subsidy, which totals $28,000 that her employer can claim back of her $56,000 annual salary. This brings her subsidies and incentives up to $32,000 and because Nicola had a concession card at the time of enrolment her contribution fee is just $464, which was invoiced to her employer at 6 months. By this time her employer had already claimed $14,000 through the BAC wage subsidy and a further $1750 through the Rural & Regional Skills Shortage incentive and Mature Aged Workers Incentive, leaving a total surplus of $31,536. On top of this, the employer has also been able to arrange for payroll tax exemptions for Nicola.

Case Study 2: Prajeet

Prajeet is a 36-year-old Permanent Resident of AU that has been working for 13 months as a Casual PC2 in the Brisbane area. Prajeet’s employer offers her a part-time Permanent position, and she enters into a funded Certificate III in Individual Support Traineeship with ASH, in which she is classified as a part-time Permanent – Existing Worker. Over the course of her 13-month Traineeship, Prajeet attracts for the employer a Completion Incentive of $1500 and has 50% of her wage subsidised through the BAC funding, which comes to $22,000 of the $44,000 she grossed for the year. This brings her subsidies and incentives up to $23,500 and the contribution fee is $1160, which was invoiced to her employer at 6 months and has left her employer a total surplus of $22,340, plus her employer arranged for payroll tax exemptions on top of this.

JobTrainer Explained

Last year, the Australian government announced a $2 billion skills package it dubbed JobTrainer. This follows on from the JobKeeper wage subsidy program; JobSeeker, and JobMaker.

The JobTrainer package has two elements to it. The first part is aimed at keeping people already in
apprenticeships and traineeships employed and continuing their education. The second part is aimed at school leavers and people looking for work.

Keeping Apprentices and Trainees Employed

The $1.5 billion from the Australian Government that will be used to subsidise the wages of currently employed apprentices and trainees is an extension of an existing program called Supporting Apprentices and Trainees.

This subsidy covers half the wage eligible employers pay apprentices and trainees, up to $7,000 a quarter
($28,000 a year). Importantly, employers are not required to demonstrate a reduction in turnover to qualify.

There is a cut-off criteria according to an organisation’s size, with this limit being 200 employees.

The federal government estimates this will support approximately 180,000 apprentices and trainees.

Vocational education and training

The second part of JobTrainer will support over 300,000 free or low-cost course places.

Funding will prioritise courses the National Skills Commission has identified to as likely to see job growth. Examples of this include health care and social assistance, and warehousing

Many of these training places are likely to be shorter courses, known as skills sets, which are parts of full
qualifications.

These skills sets can provide students entry into new industries and pathways to full qualifications which may be available for additional subsidies.

Is there anything that isn’t covered?

JobTrainer doesn’t provide any additional incentives to recruit new apprentices or trainees.

However it is crucial for Australian business to continue recruiting and supporting apprentices and trainees. Almost 12 per cent of all school leavers start an apprenticeship or traineeship as their entry into the workforce. Not making this successful transition correlates with poorer long term employment outcomes including unemployment, health issues and lower paid work.

A lack of new apprenticeships also impacts the number of skilled workers in industry. If an apprenticeship takes 4 years to complete, there will be fewer qualified workers in 4 years, compared to now. If this figure continues to drop then entire industries face chronic skill shortages.

Whilst JobTrainer isn’t a comprehensive, long term solution it does provide welcome assistance to employers and industry during a difficult period.