14 Jun 2011 : Blood Donor Day
The MAS National staff from the Penrith office responded to the Red Cross Blood Bank’s urgent request for donations after their stocks reached critically low levels last week.
Did you know:
1 in 3 people will need blood?
Only 1 in 30 people currently give blood?
If you, or one of your loved ones, have ever needed blood, you already know how important it is.
Many people are alive today because of Australia's generous and voluntary, unpaid blood donors who give blood each week to help those in need.
It's one of those things that we just expect to be there for us, but only a very small proportion of people donate.
People who give blood are united by their generosity and the desire to give something back to the community.
Donating blood is easy, painless and takes only an hour , and by doing this YOU can help to save someone’s life. MAS National’s CEO Kerry Palejs was one of those who gave blood today. “The challenge is out there now” said Kerry “For all MAS National employees who are able to donate, to roll their sleeves ups and give it a go!”.
For details of how to become a Blood Donor call the Red Cross Blood Bank on 13 14 95.
Special thanks to Samantha Pettet- Mackey (Penrith SSO) who made all the arrangements for the Penrith Blood Donor Day- and encouraged us all to find the time to donate. Well done Sam!
24 May 2011 : MAS National meets 2GB Radio Legend Ray Hadley
MAS National has chosen Sydney radio station 2GB to lead it’s new marketing campaign, that focuses on advising employers about the range of government incentive currently available, to help to up skill their new and existing staff. When we were offered the opportunity to meet Ray and have a tour of the studio we jumped at the chance!
As Australian Commercial Radio Award winner for Best Current Affairs Commentator, Ray Hadley works tirelessly to bring his listeners a successful and entertaining Morning Show which has rated number one in Sydney for three years. On the weekend, The Continuous Call Team consistently win the ratings. In fact, since arriving at 2GB in 2002, The Continuous Call Team is unbeaten.
Tune to station 873 AM to hear our new advertisements!
[Pictured: Kerry Palejs, (CEO MAS National),
2GB’s Ray Hadley & Graeme Mather
(Sydney Coordinator MAS National) ].
19 Apr 2011 : MAS National takes over Eastern Creek Race Track!
As part of MAS National’s ongoing commitment to staff training and development, a group of our Sydney field staff recently participated in a Defensive Driving program with Driving Solutions at Eastern Creek Raceway.
The day-long program included a mix of informative classroom-based theory sessions and then a number of different practical sessions in the safe and controlled environment of their purpose-built skidpan.
The feedback from all participants’ was extremely positive. With our Field Staff out on the road most of the day, and often covering a large geographic area, the skills developed from this program will increase driver safety and protect our greatest asset- OUR PEOPLE!
Here is just one of the feedback letters I received:
“Hi Kerry
Just wanted to say thanks for the Driver Training Session. It really was worthwhile attending.
I don't know about the others but I have never felt the ABS activating through the brake pedal and so to experience this in a safe environment was good. If, and I hope I don't, have to brake hard and fast I now know what it feels like and won't be alarmed by it.
A few highlights of the day included:
- Learning about how airbags function,
- Feeling how the car operates under hard braking,
- Being shown how to correctly set outside mirrors to name a few.
I think the most alarming and also revealing part of the day was at the end when they demonstrated 4 cars braking in an emergency situation at 40 kph, 60 kph, 70 kph and 80 kph. They used 4 different cars to show this leaving the cars in position after each braking. It was quite a shock to see the distances. I know most of us have seen photos of this or diagrams but to actually watch this happening is so much more alarming and concerning.
Anyway, all the MAS staff that were there seemed to get a lot from the day. Another great aspect of the day was the way the team interacted - it was really good to be a part of it. Once again, big thanks from me.”
C.L.
The success of the day has ensured that this program will be implemented for all MAS National Business Consultants.
Kerry Palejs
07 Mar 2011 : MAS National CEO to represent NSW
At the NSW Australian Apprenticeships Centre Reference Group meeting, MAS National’s CEO Mrs Kerry Palejs was elected as the NSW representative on the National Association of Australian Apprenticeships Centre.
This industry association is the peak body for Apprenticeship Centres (AACs), and is actively involved in a range of activities that raise the profile of apprenticeships and traineeships and provide advice and feedback to stakeholders.
“MAS National is one of only two AACs who are contracted to provide Apprenticeships Support Service throughout all of NSW” said Kerry. “ I will be able to provide a real insight to the issues and challenges that impact on our industry, especially those that are state specific”.
Kerry went on to say “I look forward to the opportunity to actively participate in contributing to the discussions, feedback sessions, and policy developments that will shape the future of the Apprenticeship program in the future, not only in NSW, but from the national perspective as well”.
21 Feb 2011 : MAS National Australian Apprenticeships Centre Contracts Extended until 30 June 2012
Senator the Hon Christopher Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations announces Contract Extensions for Australian Apprenticeships Centres. The announcement comes with an undertaking to simplify the system with a focus on increasing skills required now and into the future.
The Commonwealth Government of Australia is currently reviewing the Australian Apprenticeships Program with the view to simplifying the whole system with a focus on delivering skills that are in critical demand now and into the future.
Senator Chris Evans, at his release of the report A Shared responsibility –Apprenticeships for the 21st Century said the growing demand for skilled workers required a decisive response; referring to the report which was produced by an independent expert panel that made 14 recommendations, many of which require consideration by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).
Whilst the Government has explicitly ruled out an Employer Contribution Scheme, they are keen to work in partnership with industry, training providers and the states and territories toward a more simplified and nationally consistent system which provides relevant, quality training on and off the job.
Senator Evans agreed, “Australian Apprenticeship Centres provide important support for apprentices, trainees and their employers” and in line with this the Commonwealth Government will seek to extend contracts for Australian Apprenticeships Centres until 30 June 2012.
The Panel’s report and supporting NCVER research is published on the Australian Apprenticeships website
http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/experts/default.asp01 Jan 2011 : Trades Apprentice Income Bonus Commence
Commencing today, Australian Apprentices employed in Skills Shortage areas such as Motor Mechanics, Carpenters and Electricians may be eligible for additional payments under the Trades Apprentice Income Bonus program.
The Trades Apprentice Income Bonus will be paid on top of the existing Tools for Your Trade payments. This means, trade apprentices may be entitled to an additional:
· $200 - bringing the 12 month payment to $1,000.
· $200 - bringing the 24 month payment to $1,000.
· $500 - bringing the 36 month payment to $1,200.
· $800 - bringing the completion bonus to $1,500.
If you have any enquires about these support payments, please email or call on 1300 MAS NAT (1300 627 628)
01 Jul 2010 : Kickstart Mentoring Initiative Commences Today
As part of the Federal Government's Kickstart Mentoring Initiative, MAS National will now be providing additional support for apprentices aged 19 years or younger in skill shortage occupations.
The goal of this program is to increase the retention rate of these apprentices as they start their career journey. Kickstart Apprentices and their Employers can phone 1800KSTART (that's 1800 578 278) to make contact with their local Mentor. Other innovative support features will also be incorporated into our website in the near future.
MAS National's Mentor Coordinator Mr Rohan Kitching said " The Kickstart Mentoring Initiative is an exciting expansion of the support that MAS National has been providing to young apprentices and employers for over twelve years. This additional funding will enable us to provide more face to face support, and really make a difference to both the apprentice and the employer".
12 May 2010 : Apprentice Kickstart Extension
The Treasurer, Wayne Swan, tonight announced that the Apprentice Kickstart Bonus introduced last summer would be reintroduced as the Australian Apprentice Kickstart Extension. This incentive effectively triples the first year incentive payment to small and medium-sized employers who put on a new young apprentice in a skills shortage trade between now and 12 November 2010.
What is the Apprentice Kickstart Extension?
The Apprentice Kickstart Extension triples the first year incentive payment to small and medium-sized employers who put on a new young apprentice in a skills shortage trade between 12 May 2010 and 12 November 2010 (inclusive).
This new phase follows the success of the initial Apprentice Kickstart program over the summer of 2009–10, when employers in traditional trades took on about 24 400 young apprentices. The measure was important in lifting the youth apprenticeship commencement rate to above pre-GFC levels.
Who is eligible for the Apprentice Kickstart Extension?
Small and medium-sized employers (less than 200 employees) and registered group training organisations, who employ an Australian Apprentice who is aged 19 years and under and undertaking a Certificate III or IV level qualification that leads to a skills shortage trade occupation. Trade occupations in national skills shortage are those listed on the National Skills Needs List.
What financial support is available?
By accessing the Apprentice Kickstart Extension, employers will receive $3350 in bonus payments in addition to the existing $1500 commencement incentive if they engage and retain young (aged 19 and under) traditional trade apprentices in a skill shortage area. The existing $1500 commencement incentive payable at the three month point will be boosted by a bonus of
$850 plus $2500 paid after nine months.
For more information, visit our Financial Incentives page.
Contact us to find out if you will be eligible.
23 Dec 2009 : MAS National Supports Local Community Programs
As part of their Community Giving Program, MAS National has recently provided grants to the Leeton-Narrandera LYNKS program and Newman Senior Technical College.
MAS National community grants are provided to support organisations and activities in communities where MAS National has a local presence. Its purpose is to promote local activities that encourage and support increased job participation and vocational training in communities.
In early December, MAS National Regional Manager for Riverina, Frank Valenzisi was pleased to present LYNKS program manager Sue Gavel with a cheque for $3000. The Leeton-Narrandera LYNKS program is an innovative workplace based learning program for 'at risk' Year 10 students who attend the four local high schools. Many of these students may be disengaged with their schooling and wish to consider other options such as entering the workforce to acquire a trade or work in areas such as retail, hospitality or business administration. The program has had considerable success since its inception in 1997. With no Government funding, the program relies on the support of the local community to ensure its continuous success.
MAS National was also able to assist Newman Senior Technical College in northern NSW through the Community Giving Program. MAS National Business Consultant in Port Macquarie, Janice McNabb, presented the college with a grant of $2500. The grant is to assist the college with their school-based aged care traineeship program. The program supports school students and their employers as they undertake traineeships in aged care, an industry that has been identified as experiencing a skill shortage in the region. The funding will assist in promoting aged care as a potential career path to senior school students.
MAS National is pleased to support these worthwhile programs.
01 Dec 2009 : Kickstart Bonus Starts Today!
Today marks the start of the Federal Government's Kickstart bonus. Be quick to take advantage of this incentive as it is only available to the first 21,000 applicants until the 28th February 2010 and could entitle employers to an additional $3350 in incentives.
The Kickstart bonus is available to employers who employ an apprentice aged 19 years and under in a skills shortage occupation. The incenitve is $3350 in total - $800 payable after 3 months with the remaining $2500 to be paid after 9 months.
Contact us for more information.
16 Oct 2009 : Government Announces Apprentice Kickstart Bonus
Last Friday, The Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard MP, announced that the Rudd Government will invest $100 million in the Apprentice Kickstart program to support young Australians entering traditional trades. This will offer eligible employers up to an additional $3350 in incentives
Under the Apprentice Kickstart program, employers who commence an Australian Apprentice who is aged 19 years and under between 1st December 2009 and 28th February 2010 may be eligible for an additional $3,350 in incentives. This bonus is in addition to the existing incentives under the Australian Apprenticeship Program. Only employers who commence an apprentice in a qualification leading to a traditional trade as listed on the National Skills Needs List will be eligible for the Apprentice Kickstart Bonus. The payments, which will be paid in instalments, are to be paid through Australian Apprenticeship Centres like MAS National. For more information, visit our Financial Incentives page.
Contact us to find out if you will be eligible.
07 Oct 2009 : MAS National: Official Opening of Penrith Site
MAS National held the official opening of its new Penrith Site on 7th October 2009. Many of our clients and stakeholders joined us to celebrate this event.
Special guests included The Hon David Bradbury MP Memeber for Lindsay, Ms Karyn Paluzzano MP Local Member for Penrith and Lower Blue Mountains, Councillor Ben Godfinch, representing the office of the Mayor of Penrith and representatives from the Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations.
MAS National was honoured to have the Hon David Bradbury MP Member fo Lindsay cut the ribbon to officially open the office. In his address, The Hon David Bradbury MP welcomed MAS National to Penrith highlighting the importance of Apprenticeships and Traineeships to the areas and the role in which MAS National plays in promoring and facilitating this.
The new office in Penrith will provide a 'one-stop-shop' for local employers, and our highly trained field staff will arrange to personally visit these employers at a time that suits their business needs. MAS National is the only AAC situated in Penrith. The CEO of MAS National, Kerry Palejs sighted a number of reasons in the decision to open an office in Penrith including the potential growth of business in the area, high levels of education in the region and the absence of an Australian Apprenticeship Centre servicing the local community in Penrith. In addtion to this, MAS National has exceptional knowledge of the local area with three of our senior staff having over 60 years of experience between them in working with local employers.
MAS National now has a total of 18 sites with 5 additional franchisee sites.
For further details of our current locations see the locate us page.
11 Sep 2009 : 2009 NSW Training Awards
MAS National would like to congratulate all the winners and nominees in the 2009 NSW Training Awards held at Darling Harbour on Thursday 10th September 2009
The annual awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement and talant in the voactional education and training sector. Students, training providers, employers and small business were honoured at the awards for their dedication and excellence in vocational education.
We would like to make special mention to the following clients who were honoured on the night for their accomplishments in apprenticeships and traineeships.
2009 NSW Trainee of the Year - Jacqueline Vella from North West Disability Services
2009 NSW School Based Apprentice of the Year - Telecia Wehlow from Rydges Port Macquarie
2009 NSW Small Training Provider of the Year - Benchmark College
Congratulations also to the following clients who were nominated for awards on the night;
2009 NSW Apprentice of the Year Nominee - Ryan Harris
2009 NSW School Based Apprentice of the year nominee - Ricky Trevithick
2009 NSW Trainee of the Year Nominees - Jessica Hughes
Charlee Law
19 Aug 2009 : MAS National Business Consultant wins Minister's Award - the industry's highest accolade
Congratulations to Tarah Ker, Senior Business Consultant with MAS National in South Australia who received the Minister's Award for Support Services Excellence.
The award was presented by the Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard MP at a glittering ceremony held at Parliament House in Canberra on the 18th August 2009.
The Minister's Award for Support Services Excellence is the industry's highest accolade and recognises an individual employed in an Australian Apprenticeships Centre who demonstrates outstanding commitment to Australia Apprenticeships in their daily activities. Nominees from across Australia were vying for this award and in what was a rigorous selection process, Tarah was selected as one of three finalist. The Hon Julia Gillard MP announced her as the annual winner on the night.
Tarah is a well deserved recipient of this award. She has worked for MAS National, Mount Gambier, South Australia for six years servicing Australian Apprentices and making a difference to the rural community. Her work territory covers an amazing 21,000 kilometres and she is always willing to go the extra mile for her clients.
Well done Tarah on this fantastic award!
12 Aug 2009 : MAS National welcomes former champion jockey, Bill Aspros
MAS National is excited to welcome Bill Aspros to the team. Bill has joined MAS National in an Industry Support Initiative working closely with NSW Racing to support and mentor apprentices in their career development.
Bill was one of NSW greatest jockeys in the 1990s, until a series of falls interrupted his career. Bill will be providing pastoral care to the many apprentices and trainees in the NSW Racing industry as well as ensuring their employers receive the correct advice with regards to their staff training and potential incentives.
"MAS National is pleased to be part of this exciting initiative, which is a unique opportunity to provide an industry centric model of service delivery," Kerry Palejs, Chief Executive of MAS National, said. MAS National hopes to be able to duplicate this 'industry' model into other industries in the future.
To read further about Bill and his new role with MAS National, visit NSW Racing Training website
01 May 2009 : MAS National Celebrates
MAS National has been contracted by the Australian Government to continue its delivery of Australian Apprenticeships support services until 30 September 2011.
The decision was made by the Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard MP, and announced on Wednesday by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The contract extension follows discussions between Apprenticeships Centres, including MAS National, and both State and Federal governments which took place over several months.
MAS National Chief Executive Officer, Ms Kerry Palejs said, "This is a fantastic outcome for our entire team, and a welcome reward for our organisation's steadfast commitment to national workforce participation and skills development in Australia."
"We are very pleased to be in the position to provide ongoing assistance to employers, apprentices and trainees for many years to come. On behalf of everyone at MAS National, I sincerely thank all of our customers for their continued support."
02 Mar 2009 : Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships
The Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard MP, announced a new package of assistance to help secure jobs and training arrangements for apprentices and trainees.
The two initiatives, Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships and Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships through Registered Training Organisations, are part of the Government's plan to help out-of-trade apprentices and trainees remain connected to the workforce and maintain their investment in training. It is also intended to increase the national skills base through successful completion of apprenticeship and traineeship training.
Under the Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships incentive, the Government will provide financial assistance to employers who take on out-of-trade apprentices and trainees, or who successfully complete apprentices or trainees, at the Certificate III or IV level in skills shortage trades, or in selected Diploma or Advanced Diploma level qualifications.
The payments, which are available for two years until 31 December 2010, will provide eligible employers with up to an additional $2800 and are to be paid through Australian Apprenticeships Centres like MAS National.
WAGE SUBSIDY
Commencing on 1 July 2009, the Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships wage subsidy will be available to employers who employ an eligible out-of-trade apprentice or trainee on or after 1 January 2009.
Employers will receive a wage subsidy of $150 per week, paid at the twelve-week point after the apprentice/trainee's recommencement.
COMPLETION PAYMENT
An additional $1000 completion payment will be available to employers, including Group Training Organisations, who successfully complete an eligible apprentice or trainee on or after 1 January 2009.
The payment will be paid on successful completion of the qualification.
These new payments are in addition to the suite of employer incentives already available under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program. Employers of apprentices and trainees at the Certificate III level and above may already be eligible to receive $4000 in incentives comprising a $1500 commencement incentive and a $2500 completion incentive.
For more information, call 1300 MAS NAT (1300 627 628).