16/02/202316/02/2023

Completion Rates of Certificate IV Courses in Australia – the Alium Works Difference

It’s well known that tertiary education is an excellent way to further your career in a specific field, or gain valuable skills and knowledge to assist in entering a new career, we call this upskilling.

Below we’ll discuss some of the institutional issues affecting course completion rates in Australia, and how Alium Works strives to overcome these to deliver positive outcomes through course satisfaction, resulting in engagement, ultimately leading to successful completion for our students.

Ongoing support

Whilst there are hundreds of different courses that can be completed through State-run TAFE (Technical and Further Education) programs or through private organisations. It should then be noted that certain factors can affect the completion rates of courses in Australia, in particular Certificate IV courses, which can be by fault of the institution or issues for the individual such as personal stresses etc

Many students cite a lack of support as being the reason for their non completion of their courses, we get it, adult learning is hard and we appreciate the challenges faced when juggling family, work and recreational activities. However in saying that we also appreciate the true value of completing a Certificate IV or Diploma and upskilling in your career, we understand the doors it can open and the satisfaction that can bring.

Our team at Alium Works aim to challenge the industry norm by providing flexible learning options supported by the student’s workplace and access to support from subject matter experts.

Economic Factors

Unlike University education, many tertiary courses through TAFE and private organisations require up-front fees or ongoing payments for their courses. For some individuals, these fees may be out of their financial range, limiting course access to only those that can afford it.

Some states, such as Victoria and Western Australia, offer free courses under governmental initiatives, but many are yet to follow suit.

Alium Works provides a more cost-effective alternative to the government TAFE courses – those which do not have initiatives – to ensure that our Certificate IV course is accessible to more people through a number of options including our flexible payment option Zeefi.

Teaching and Course Satisfaction

The impact of teachers and the way each delivers a course can greatly affect overall satisfaction and completion.

According to the NSW Government’s 2016 report on VET Completion and Participation¹, the quality of teaching and the delivery of course material correlated with the overall level of course satisfaction.

Think back to your school days – was there a subject you didn’t like because of the teacher? That is what we still see, even in tertiary education, this is where we aim to be different.

The courses Alium Works provides are conducted by experienced industry professionals who offer above standard support and strive to achieve positive outcomes with and for all students, ensuring that course satisfaction, and subsequent completion remain at high levels.

Alium Works are always looking to further the careers of those in the rail and construction industries, and provide opportunities for those seeking a new career. Through affordable course pricing and experienced professionals delivering courses, Alium Works consistently sees high levels of course completion in every cohort which is further supported by our student support iniatives.

As a result of this, our students get the best chance at a fulfilling & fast tracking a new career, and employers get graduates who are highly qualified and motivated to excel in their careers.

1 education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/en/home/skills-nsw/documents/nsw-skills-board/drivers_literature_review_phase_1.pdf

Thank you for reading to the end of this blog, you may benefit from downloading the adult tips and tricks study guide prepared by the team at Alium works below 🙂

21/12/202221/12/2022

The Important Reasons to Provide Mental Health First Aid Training to Your Workplace

5 Reasons why Mental Health First Aid Training is Good for Business

As many of you know, workplaces often provide mandatory training for Work Health and Safety to ensure staff are appropriately equipped to perform their duties without injuring themselves or others.

Some also offer First Aid training, so staff are prepared for an accident and know how to provide care and treatment until help arrives.

It should then go without saying that Mental Health First Aid training should be just as important, as anyone in the workplace can suffer from mental health issues without anyone knowing.

Mental health training is good for business for a number of reasons.

Create safer work environments
First and foremost, it helps to create a healthy and supportive work environment for employees.

When employees feel supported and valued, they are more likely to be productive, engaged, and motivated, which can lead to increased profits for the company.
Reduce absenteeism and promote retention
In addition, mental health training can help to reduce absenteeism and presenteeism, which are both major issues in the workplace.

Absenteeism refers to employees missing work due to illness or other personal reasons, while presenteeism refers to employees coming to work when they are not feeling well or are otherwise unable to perform at their best.

By providing mental health training, companies can help employees better manage their mental health and reduce the negative impact that mental health issues can have on their work.
Reduce the Stigma
Good mental health training can help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and create a more inclusive and diverse workplace.

When employees feel comfortable talking about their mental health and seeking support when they need it, they are more likely to feel valued and included in the company. This can lead to increased retention and reduced turnover, which can save the company money and resources in the long run.
Empathy
1 in 5 people will be affected by poor mental health during their lifetime.
Whether from stress, anxiety, depression, or other issues, it can drastically change the individual’s behaviour and ability to work.

By understanding each mental illness and corresponding effects, a greater understanding can be achieved and those that are suffering can have their needs appropriately met.
Support someone in a crises
A mental health crisis, such as a panic or anxiety attack, could be triggered for someone while in the workplace.

With appropriate training for staff, they will understand what action needs to be taken immediately, and what ongoing support or services need to be provided to the individual.

Mental Health Training for a Better Workplace

Overall, mental health training is a valuable investment for any business. By prioritizing the mental well-being of their employees, companies can create a more productive, supportive, and inclusive workplace, which can ultimately lead to increased profits and success.

If you want to improve the mental health and well-being of your employees, consider implementing mental health training in your business.

There are many resources available that can help you get started, including online courses, in-person workshops, and consulting services.

Investing in mental health training not only benefits your employees, but it can also have a positive impact on your business as a whole. Don’t wait any longer – take action today to create a healthier and more supportive work environment for your employees

Get in touch to find out how Alium Works can work with you to create a safer and happier workplace.

14/12/202214/12/2022

The Incredible Connection Between the Art of Storytelling and How We Learn

More than just reciting from a PowerPoint, storytelling creates bonds between teacher and student, and also provides many benefits to the learning experience. Studies have shown that two different parts of the brain light up during any kind of teaching, Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area – used for determining meaning and decoding language. These two parts of the brain do not experience excitement or engagement, often leaving the listener feeling bored. During storytelling, however, all areas of the brain light up that are used to experience the story, so the listener feels much more attentive and interested. So, what is the importance of storytelling for both students and teachers, and how it is a useful tool for learning? Read on to find out!

How does storytelling benefit teachers?

Teachers, especially those who have worked in their industry for many years, often have a wealth of knowledge to share with their students. By utilising storytelling as a teaching method, students feel more connected to their teacher and engaged in the information being shared. It also allows the teacher to speak with passion, rather than reciting off a PowerPoint slide or book. They can share their experiences to leave a mark on the industry and the new generations entering the field.

What benefits can students see from storytelling?

For students, storytelling is a much more engaging method of teaching. Rather than having to remember information from a textbook, storytelling boosts comprehension and listening skills, whilst also garnering interest and engagement. Many people are also far more likely to remember a story as opposed to information on a page, thus storytelling promotes improved memory and helps students to learn faster.

Introducing Alium Works’ Legacy Program – teaching through storytelling

With the art of storytelling in mind, Alium Works has developed our Legacy Program. This program allows for experienced members of the rail industry to share their stories with newcomers for generations to come. Storytelling has proven to be a highly effective method of teaching, and allows teachers, trainers and mentors to venture into their creative side and weave their personal experiences in the industry into their work.

It’s true that a story-based approach to teaching is far more engaging for both student and teacher. Alium Works’ Legacy Program will help to increase the knowledge base within the rail industry, whilst also sharing first-hand experiences with students and newcomers to the industry.

If you would like to share your stories, reach out to the team at Alium Works and enquire about becoming a trainer or mentor in our Legacy Program today!

01/12/202227/02/2023

Mental Health First Aid Training Course

On the outside, a person may appear fit and healthy – but you have no idea what is happening in their mind. Mental health is crucial for well-being and can affect anyone at any time. Poor mental health can be debilitating and affect both your work and personal life.

We understand that the construction and rail industries are in dire need of some help and attention in the mental health and wellness space. In male-dominated fields such as these, the general mindset tends to be “I’ll be ‘right”, and an individuals’ thoughts and feelings are not discussed or acknowledged to be of potential issue.

You may also be wondering, what is Mental Health First Aid training?

Coming soon, Alium Works is delivering a new course along the same vein as physical First Aid training. Rather than learning how to apply a bandage, our mental health first aid training will equip individuals to know how to have the conversation with someone experiencing mental health issues or crises within the workplace, until the appropriate professional help can be provided. The training also focuses on providing the confidence to recognise the signs of and provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.

Alium Works strives to value mental health as you would physical health. There can be many factors that affect an individuals’ mental health, and Mental Health First Aid training is a step in the right direction to educate workplaces on how to appropriately manage and support mental health and crises.

Let’s remove the stigma around mental health by having the conversations – especially in these male-dominated industries where it can be hard to discuss.

Want to know more?

Send us a message via our contact us page.

25/10/202202/11/2022

The Crucial Reason White-Collar Traineeships Are Highly Valuable to the Australian Rail Industry

White-collar traineeships are an important and highly valuable resource within the Australian rail industry…so why are they so often overlooked? In order for the Aussie rail industry to thrive and survive, we MUST start placing the same value on white-collar roles (especially traineeships and apprenticeships) as we do on their blue-collar counterparts. Here’s why…

The importance of safety, management and administration in the rail industry

As with many industries where manual labour is seen as the ‘primary’ type of role, the Australian rail industry tends to place lesser importance on the ‘paperwork’ side of things, especially surrounding safety, management and other administrative aspects.

Regardless of the reasons for this, the fact remains that safety, coordination, management and other facets that fall within the white-collar department are all just as important as physically getting the job done. In fact, without these roles running parallel to blue-collar work, the job simply wouldn’t get done in the most efficient, effective and, most importantly, safest manner.

Working together to create more opportunities for white-collar traineeships to enter the industry

In order for us to adjust the current attitudes towards white-collar traineeships within the Aussie rail industry, it is important that we, as companies, employees, trainees, and the industry as a whole, work together to break the stigma and appreciate the hard work of our white-collar rail professionals.

We must support the transition of experienced and knowledgeable blue-collar staff into white-collar roles where they can ensure their skills are passed on for generations to come.

We must provide opportunities for young Australians to gain quality training and education and enter the industry as eager, skilled white-collar professionals in their chosen field.

We must allow rail employees of all backgrounds and experience levels the opportunity to broaden their skillsets, learn new things and gain qualifications that will help keep them safe on the job, open their mindsets and set them up with a range of career development options for years to come.

Now is the time to act as an industry!

If your company could use a training partner to help facilitate these kinds of opportunities for your current and future employees, reach out to the team here at Alium Works today.

29/09/202229/09/2022

ARA awards night & how small business forms part of the bigger picture.

Alium Works is delighted to announce that we were a finalist in this year’s Australasian Rail Industry (ARA) Awards in the Supplier Excellence Award category! A huge achievement and a big step forward for us in the Australian Rail Industry.

Thank you to the judges, our peers, all the finalists and industry associations for paving the way for small organizations to grow and thrive.

We didn’t take home the silver, instead we walked away with our heads held high after being recognized by our peers and though we didn’t have our moment in the spotlight we thought we’d share a few words of appreciation & insight below.

ARA finalist appreciation speech

Small businesses thrive under the right conditions for success and growth. As a small business, you are always on the hunt for opportunities for improved efficiency, innovation, and increased sales or revenue.

Growth in small business does not just come from awards though – it is the value that you are bringing to your company and your clientele. Looking at your industry from a broader perspective, or even insights into similar industries can propel your business onto a successful trajectory.

As a business, seeing the bigger picture allows for goals to be set, to provide insight on how decisions could affect the business, and employees are able to envision the values their company strives to achieve.

Without small business, Australia’s economy would suffer greatly because at the end of the day we are all essentially part of one big ecosystem. According to the RBA, small business accounts for almost half of the employment in the private, non-financial sector¹. Financially, the RBA also reports that 95% of the 2 million active, trading businesses in Australia were classed as a small business in 2011¹.

Unfortunately in recent years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, times have been especially tough for small businesses, with many suffering the hardship that came with the lockdowns and limitations of trading, many had to shut their doors.

To truly review the impact, we must consider that Small businesses has contributed approximately $418 billion to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in 2018-2019². So it’s evident that small businesses are providing employment and supplying products and services to clientele, boosting Australia’s economy.

Alium Works is thrilled to be recognized for both awards and nominations with the ARA, and we look forward to continuing to provide exceptional service to our clients, whilst doing our bit in the Australian economy on our pathway of growth.

#ARA #Railawards #Aliumworks #Finalist #apprecaitionpost #Smallbusiness #aliumworksjourney #businessecosystem #tier1 #RTO

Are you looking for a career in the Australian Rail Industry? Reach out to Alium Works today for more information, we can guide you on the right pathway.

Reference Links:

¹https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/workshops/other/small-bus-fin-roundtable-2012/pdf/01-overview.pdf

²https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-11/ASBFEO%20Small%20Business%20Counts%20Dec%202020%20v2_0.pd

22/08/202229/08/2022

How to Become a Mentor and Leave Your Legacy in The Rail and Construction Industries

For many rail and construction industry professionals, their work is more than just a job, it’s a passion that has been part of their lives for decades. For these professionals, there will come a time to make important decisions about their future within the industry. Whether facing injury, retirement or simply seeking a career change that still keeps them close to the work they love, these professionals should be given the chance to continue working at their own capacity and leave their legacy.

That’s exactly what we offer here at Alium Works through mentorship and training programs. If you are one of the industry professionals we’ve mentioned above, keep reading to learn more!

What Value Does Expert Mentorship Hold for The Rail and Construction Industries?

Mentorship and training hold immense value, not only for new entrants to the industry, but for experts as well. For instance, people entering the industry can benefit from insights, tips and wisdom shared by experienced mentors, helping them to become more confident in their skills and preparing them for their career ahead.

For industry experts, sharing knowledge is the best way to ensure a strong and valuable legacy is left behind after retirement. They can rest assured that their years of hard work are not going to waste.

What Kind of Knowledge is Worth Passing on to People Entering the Industry?

Insights surrounding safety, where and how to find industry-related resources and general tips for entering the industry and ‘climbing the ladder’ to build a successful career are just a few of the highly valuable pieces of knowledge that are worth sharing.

As an industry expert, what kind of knowledge could you offer to share that would help the industry as a whole?

How Can I Share My Knowledge as a Rail or Construction Industry Expert?

You can join the Legacy LinkedIn Group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14113991/ which works as a central hub and supportive community for mentors and trainers. There you will find a space where best practices and opportunities for work can be shared and discussed, along with plenty of networking prospects.

If you’re interested in becoming an Alium Works mentor, simply chat with the team at Alium Works to put your name forward. Our students’ studies will eventually help them enter the industry, so we love to be able to offer the wisdom and guidance of experienced experts who are happy to help them excel.

13/07/202229/08/2022

David Baker

David Baker is a Civil Engineer with 35 years experience in the Construction industry in Australia, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.

He has worked across a wide range of market segments including Civil, Building, Materials Handling, Oil and Rail in a diverse range of roles from Project Development, Business Development, Tendering, Planning, Design, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning, Operation, Maintenance, Demolition and Corporate Management Roles. He has a Bachelor Engineering (Civil) and a Masters Degree in Engineering Management.

David is currently employed as an Engineering Leader with Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction. Recent projects include Central Station Main Works – Design Integration of 15 disciplines and interface with 150 stakeholders, Technical Director / AEO Representative of the Novo Rail Alliance, and Engineering Manager of the Wynyard Station Upgrade Project. David was first involved in Safety in Design over 20 years ago as the Design Manager on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Project C434. More recently, Safety in Design has been a key driver in the integration of design working in the rail sector on Transport for NSW and Sydney Metro projects in an Authorised Engineering Organisation (AEO) environment for projects with a combined value of $1.3BN

13/07/202229/08/2022

Enterprise Bargaining Agreements

No Stranger to Alium works our very own Erin Muscat is well on her way to Success!

Erin joined the Safety Rail industry in 2019 as a part of the Alium Works Cadetship Program, now supporting her host employer John Holland. As a full-time safety cadet working very closely with the Novo Rail Alliance team based in Eveleigh Sydney.

While no one day is the same, Erin’s primary is to support the Novo Rail Alliance team with ensuring safe and timely delivery of their projects. Working in a team of 6 Erin is thriving in her new environment.

Most recently and as part of her role, Erin has familiarised herself with Novo Rail’s and other stakeholders Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBA’s). Enabling her to interpret, manage and resolve any relevant enquiries regarding safety information from the EBA’s.

Moving forward Erin hopes to, successfully complete her first year as a Safety Cadet and move on to an advisory role. She also wants to undertake more studies in the future to assist with her career development.

Join us for the Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBA) masterclass on 18 February where Erin will be sharing her gained knowledge.

RTO Number: 45669

Blog

Completion Rates of Certificate IV Courses in Australia – the Alium Works Difference

Ongoing support

Economic Factors

Teaching and Course Satisfaction

The Important Reasons to Provide Mental Health First Aid Training to Your Workplace

5 Reasons why Mental Health First Aid Training is Good for Business

Create safer work environments

Reduce absenteeism and promote retention

Reduce the Stigma

Empathy

Support someone in a crises

Mental Health Training for a Better Workplace

The Incredible Connection Between the Art of Storytelling and How We Learn

The Incredible Connection Between the Art of Storytelling and How We Learn

How does storytelling benefit teachers?

What benefits can students see from storytelling?

Introducing Alium Works’ Legacy Program – teaching through storytelling

Mental Health First Aid Training Course

The Crucial Reason White-Collar Traineeships Are Highly Valuable to the Australian Rail Industry

The Crucial Reason White-Collar Traineeships Are Highly Valuable to the Australian Rail Industry

ARA awards night & how small business forms part of the bigger picture.

How to Become a Mentor and Leave Your Legacy in The Rail and Construction Industries

David Baker

Enterprise Bargaining Agreements

No Stranger to Alium works our very own Erin Muscat is well on her way to Success!

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