Chapter 14. Employability Skills Training

Supporting Documents for this Chapter:

• Employability Skills Training Participant Fact Sheet

• Referral Cap Supporting Document and Temporary Exemption Request Formsign-in required (sign-in required)

14.1. Chapter OverviewCopy citation · §14.1

This Chapter outlines the requirements for Providers with regard to Employability Skills Training (EST).

EST Courses are available on a fee-for-service basis. Providers must pay the EST Provider for each Participant Referral prior to the date the EST Course starts. Participants must not pay for an EST Course.

14.2. BackgroundCopy citation · §14.2

EST is a Complementary Program, administered by the Department, which Providers may access to enhance work readiness of Participants. EST provides intensive pre-employment training through 2 different blocks of targeted training:

• Training Block 1: workplace focused training

• Training Block 2: industry focused training.

EST Eligible Participants can undertake one or both EST Courses, in any order.

Each EST Course runs for 75 hours, in a group setting, over:

• 25 hours per week over 3 consecutive weeks, or

• 15 hours per week over 5 consecutive weeks.

EST Courses can be delivered by EST Providers as Youth Courses, 25 Plus Courses or All Ages Courses. EST Courses can be delivered face-to-face, hybrid (a blend of face-to-face and online) or online.

Providers may approach EST Providers to deliver specific or tailored EST Courses where there is an identified demand, for example for training in a particular location or industry.

Participation in EST is voluntary.

14.3. Benefits of ESTCopy citation · §14.3

14.3.1. Benefits of both Training Block 1 and 2 CoursesCopy citation · §14.3.1

Following their Training Block 1 or Training Block 2 Course, Participants will receive:

• an updated, professionally presented résumé that identifies the Participant’s skills and experience, and

• an assessment that documents the industries and/or occupations that may be suitable for the Participant, and recommendations for next steps for the Participant to pursue employment and/or training opportunities.

EST and Points Requirements

EST Participants can gain Points under the PBAS. Participants may also earn points for tasks completed (such as job applications) as part of the EST Course, in addition to the points received for participating in the EST Course. EST can also be undertaken where the Participant would otherwise have Work for the Dole as the Mandatory Activity Requirement. Refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligations Requirements Chapter for more information.

The TCF will not apply for non-attendance in EST, however, it will apply if Participants fail to meet their Points Requirement. 

14.3.2. Benefits of Training Block 1Copy citation · §14.3.2

Training Block 1 Courses help Participants develop job search and workplace skills.

Advanced job search skills training helps Participants gain the skills they need to look for work and a better understanding of the local labour market to help them find sustainable employment opportunities. Training Block 1 Courses help Participants demonstrate they have the attitude and approach to work that employers want.

Upon successful Completion of a Training Block 1 Course, Participants should be able to demonstrate the following Learning Outcomes:

• use a variety of techniques and strategies to seek and apply for work

• identify opportunities in the local labour market

• understand employer expectations

• prepare a résumé

• prepare a job application, including preparing a cover letter, addressing selection criteria, and preparing video applications as relevant to opportunities in the local labour market

• complete an online psychometric and aptitude screening test

• prepare for an in-person and virtual job interview

• manage their digital footprint

• apply conventions of online etiquette

• apply the 10 skill areas described in the Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework.

14.3.3. Benefits of Training Block 2Copy citation · §14.3.3

Training Block 2 Courses help EST Participants learn more about industries that are in demand or have emerging opportunities in their local labour market.

Upon successful Completion of a Training Block 2 Course, EST Participants should be able to demonstrate the following Learning Outcomes:

• use the most suitable techniques and strategies to seek and apply for work in the industries covered

• understand the duties, requirements, career prospects and employer expectations of the industries covered

• tailor a résumé to the industries covered

• tailor a job application to the industries covered, including preparing a cover letter, addressing selection criteria, and preparing video applications as relevant to the industries covered

• complete an online psychometric and/or aptitude screening test as relevant to the industries covered

• prepare for an in-person and virtual job interview for the industries covered

• use technology relevant to entry-level employment opportunities in the industries covered.

Training Block 2 Courses include Industry Awareness Experiences that aim to provide EST Participants with insight into the tasks and duties of an industry. Examples of Industry Awareness Experiences include guided tours of workplaces arranged with an Employer and Inbound Employer Visits.

There are 2 types of Training Block 2 Courses:

• Generalist Courses

• Specialist Courses.

Generalist Courses

Generalist Courses give EST Participants a taste of a few different industries to help them decide whether an industry is right for them.

The industries must have entry-level employment opportunities in the local labour market.

Generalist Courses may offer accredited training to support the Learning Outcomes.

Specialist Courses

Specialist Courses focus on a single industry to help EST Participants build industry-specific skills and provide a pathway for EST Participants to entry-level Employment opportunities in the industry or a formal training program.

Specialist Courses may offer accredited training to support the Learning Outcomes and to support Participants to build skills relevant to the industry. Examples include a construction Work Health and Safety ‘white card’ or the Responsible Service of Alcohol unit of competency.

Specialist Courses are endorsed by a relevant industry association to ensure the training is suitably tailored to, and valued by, employers in the industry and to make course Participants more competitive for entry-level employment opportunities in the industry.

14.4. Role of ProvidersCopy citation · §14.4

Key responsibilities and actions undertaken by Providers in relation to EST, which must be done in accordance with the Deed and these Guidelines, include:

• only referring Participants who meet the eligibility criteria to participate in an EST Course

• confirming if the Participant would benefit from EST

• confirming if the Participant is capable of undertaking the EST Course for the required hours per week and by the nominated delivery mode (see Referral to EST)

  • If the session times of a course do not suit the Participant, then an alternative EST Course should be selected

• in referring an EST Eligible Participant to an EST Course, Providers must ensure the Participant is:

  • made aware of their responsibilities, such as recording attendance

  • made aware of, and consented to, the disclosure of relevant personal information to the EST Provider for the purpose of managing the Participant’s referral and participation in an EST Course

• ensuring that the EST Provider has all the information it requires to inform the required Risk Assessments for any Industry Awareness Experience (other than an Inbound Employer Visit), ensuring any personal information is only disclosed if the Participant has given consent

• paying the relevant EST Provider in accordance with these Guidelines

• providing Participants with or arranging any EST Course prerequisites

• encouraging Participant attendance at the EST Course, noting that Participants must attend the EST Course within 7 Business Days of the EST Course starting (including the EST Course start date) or the EST Provider will end the Participant’s referral to the EST Course

• working collaboratively with EST Providers to support Participants to successfully complete the EST Course

• reviewing, on completion of the EST Course, the assessment provided by the EST Provider of the Participant’s learning outcomes and recommended next steps.

EST Providers will identify any EST Course prerequisites in the EST Course description (for example a police check, personal protective equipment or a USB memory stick). Providers should action EST Provider requests to supply or arrange EST Course prerequisites in a timely manner. If eligible, Providers can seek reimbursement from the Employment Fund for the cost of required items.

EST Providers will enter EST Course completion details in the Department's IT Systems. If a Participant is required to exit from the Activity early, the Provider must contact the EST Provider to request they action the exit.

If a Participant transfers to a new Provider, Provider Site or is Exited from Workforce Australia Services whilst participating in EST, they will be automatically Exited from the EST Course by the Department’s IT Systems, irrespective of how many hours the Participant has attended. Providers should notify EST Providers where this occurs.

(Deed Reference(s): Clauses 120.1, 120.3, 120.4, 120.6, 133)

14.5. EligibilityCopy citation · §14.5

To be eligible to participate in EST, a Participant must:

• be aged 15 years or over

• be receiving income support, and

• have Mutual Obligation Requirements.

Participants are eligible for referral to EST from their Commencement in Services.

• System step — The Department’s IT Systems will identify if a Participant is EST Eligible.

There is no limit to the number of times a Participant can undertake EST if the Provider and EST Provider consider that the Participant would benefit.

(Deed Reference(s): Clauses 133)

14.6. Referral to ESTCopy citation · §14.6

Local EST Providers are expected to make suitable Courses available to meet the needs of Individuals in their contracted Employment Region, including those on Provider caseloads. Providers can search for and view scheduled EST Courses in the Department’s IT Systems. Participants cannot be referred to an EST Course after the first day of the course schedule.

• System step — Providers view available EST Course places via the Activity Management component in the Department’s IT Systems.

• System step — Providers must make referrals to EST in the Department’s IT Systems.

EST Providers will contact Participants prior to EST Course Commencement to undertake a range of pre-engagement checks. If the EST Provider identifies concerns about the suitability of the EST Course for the Participant, the EST Provider will contact the Provider to discuss the reasons. The EST Provider will reject the referral in the system if, following discussion with the Provider, the EST Provider determines the Participant would not benefit from or would not be able to participate in an EST Course.

A Participant with a full-time Mutual Obligation Requirement can choose to undertake an EST Course at 15 hours per week over 5 consecutive weeks. Conversely, a Participant with a part-time Mutual Obligation Requirement can choose to undertake an EST Course at 25 hours per week over 3 consecutive weeks. However, if the weekly hours would exceed the Participant’s assessed work capacity, the Provider must agree with the Participant that full-time participation in an EST Course is appropriate before referring the Participant.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 133)

14.6.1. Referral CapCopy citation · §14.6.1

Providers which are also EST Providers (as their Own Organisation, Related Entity or Subcontractor) delivering Training Block 2 Courses in the same Employment Region are subject to a Referral Cap whereby no more than 50 per cent of total referrals to EST Training Block 2 Courses resulting in a commencement may be made to the Provider’s Own Organisation, a Related Entity or a Subcontractor. The Provider must not refer a Participant to an EST Course if to do so would exceed the Referral Cap.

The Referral Cap does not apply to Training Block 1 referrals, or where the only EST Providers in an Employment Region are the Provider’s Own Organisation, Related Entities or Subcontractors. A temporary exemption to the Referral cap can be requested using the Referral Cap Temporary Exemption Request Formsign-in required (sign-in required).

The Referral Cap applies at the Employment Region level and is measured on a cumulative basis over the length of the Head Licence. Provider compliance will be reviewed by the Department on a regular basis.

Any Provider that has exceeded the Referral Cap in accordance with these Guidelines may have their capacity to make future EST referrals to their Own Organisation, Related Entity or Subcontractor restricted, which may include the Department issuing a direction to cease referrals to those entities. This restriction will remain in place until the Provider is below the Referral Cap, or unless otherwise advised by the Department.

Providers may request a temporary exemption from the Referral Cap or access further details about the application and review process by referring to the Referral Cap Supporting Document and Temporary Exemption Request Formsign-in required (sign-in required).

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 133.3)

• System step — Providers can use Qlik report wEREF03 to monitor their adherence to the Referral Cap.

14.7. On Completion of the EST CourseCopy citation · §14.7

Once the EST Course ends, the Participant and the Provider will receive an assessment which sets out:

• progress made by the Participant

• the Participant’s performance against each of the Learning Outcomes of the EST Course

• any units of competency completed

• industries and/or occupations suitable for the Participant, taking into account the Participant’s goals, skills and the local labour market

• recommended next steps the Participant should take to pursue Employment and/or training opportunities based on the Participant’s goals, skills and the local labour market.

Note that if a Participant does not attend each day of the EST Course, the EST Provider will complete the assessment to the extent possible given the Participant’s level of participation.

14.8. PaymentsCopy citation · §14.8

14.8.1. Course feeCopy citation · §14.8.1

Providers must pay the relevant course fee to the EST Provider on a fee-for-service basis of:

• up to $1,335 per Participant for each Training Block 1 Course

• up to $320.40 per Participant for each Training Block 2 Course (full course fee is $1,335, the remaining $1,014.60 is subsidised directly to the EST Provider by the Department).

Providers must pay the EST Provider the relevant course fee by the date advised by the EST Provider. The transfer of funds from Provider to EST Provider happens outside of the Department’s IT Systems. Providers must make their own arrangements with the EST Provider to facilitate payment.

The course fee paid is fully refundable if the EST Provider cancels the EST Course or finds the EST Course is not suitable for the Participant prior to commencement. The Provider should ascertain from the EST Provider whether there are other circumstances in which any proportion of the fee paid will be refundable if the Participant does not attend.

14.8.2. Progress PaymentsCopy citation · §14.8.2

Progress Payments are available to claim when the Participant’s circumstances have been changed during participation in Workforce Australia Services such that they are more prepared to gain and maintain Employment. Completion of at least 60 hours of an EST Course (at least 60 hours) may contribute towards a Progress Payment. For Progress Payments, Providers must refer to and comply with the requirements specified in the Provider Payments and Vacancies Chapter.