The Service Managers Council held its last meeting for 2009 at the Brown & Hurley Group’s Yatala branch and was well supported with eighteen attendees. Chairman, Mr John Edwards welcomed all Council members and Guest Speaker, Mr Mark Hands, CEO of the Australian Industry Trade College. The Chairman also thanked Mr Darren Aitken of The Brown & Hurley Group for the use of the facilities to hold the meeting.

The meeting commenced with Mr Mark Hands speaking to the Council on the Gold Coast located Australian Industry Trade College as a trade focussed independent school where students undertake school based traineeships enabling them to alternate between monthly blocks of schooling and workplace training. 

Mr Woodland then reported on the outcomes of the recent CVIAQ / Queensland Transport Queensland Liaison Group Meeting and the Commonwealth Department of Transport’s Technical Liaison Group meeting, both attended by CVIAQ Technical & Regulatory Officer, Mr John Samson. 

Mr Gilbert reported on the progress of the Future Workforce project in which he is currently making application for funding to create a ‘Communications’ training package which will ultimately be made available to final stage apprentices to enable them to promote the industry to school leavers and other students in their school environment. After some discussion, the Council agreed that the competencies, BSBMGT401A ‘Show leadership in the workplace’, BSBCMM401A ‘Make a presentation’ & BSBWRT301A ‘Write simple documents’ as listed in Mr Gilbert’s Council report be included in the training package. The Council also advised that the target potential students should be the ‘Above Average’ apprentices such as the candidates for the CVIAQ Apprentice of the Year Awards. It was also suggested that in the future, completion of this course be a pre-requisite for nomination to the Apprentice of the Year Awards.

Mr Paul Kulpa, QASA, circulated information on the proposed model for the Automotive Industry on the Pre-Apprenticeship Skilling Pathway that the Queensland Government had requested he tender. Mr Kulpa advised that the program targeted young job seekers who had finished their schooling. The 6 month program involved 240 hours of vocational placement as well as successful completion of selected automotive training competencies. Mr Kulpa also advised that the program is to commence early in 2010. Council expressed concern over the readiness and willingness of training providers to be able to accommodate the program as well as timelines for a successful marketing of the program. It was suggested that industry could assist in the marketing by using their job applicant databases to advertise the program. Job websites such as Seek were also suggested as a promotional avenue.

Mr Woodland reported on the five School tours organised in 2009 that allowed over 270 Year 10 -12 students the opportunity to explore all the career options available within the industry.

Mr Woodland also advised Council of the technical information seminar involving Queensland Transport and the Commonwealth Department of Transport to be held on the 18th February 2010.  
 As there was no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 11.00am.