Archived News for Industry Professionals
The Federal Government has announced the formation of the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC), which will act as a standards setting body for the vocational education and training (VET) sector with an aim to improve quality and consistency of VET regulation throughout the country.
The council will operate on a Commonwealth, state and territory level and will assisted ministers with responsibilities in the vocational education and training area by providing a uniform advice on national standards for the regulation of vocational education and training.
The key functions of the National Skills Standards Council are to:
- develop and maintain national standards for regulation of vocational education and training for approval by SCOTESE and provide advice to SCOTESE on development and implementation of the standards;
- provide information, through SCOTESE, to the regulators of vocational education and training on the implementation and interpretation of the national standards and on issues of quality standards generally in the vocational education and training sector;
- provide information to the vocational education and training sector on the national standards and any changes to the standards;
- provide advice to SCOTESE on the operation of the regulators of vocational education and training;
- endorse national training packages
Bowen Basin resource companies to further indigenous employment
The Federal Government has announced its Bowen Basin Indigenous Mining Contractors initiative that aims to further Indigenous employment in the field.
Carr calls for an end to 'closed loop' ore deals with China
Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr has called an end to the practice of exporting ore to China and, in return, purchasing the finished steel product.
Queensland's Major Projects Office opens
Queensland's new Major Project Office (MPO) has been opened by the State Government in a move to streamline approval processes for developers of major projects.
John Holland Wins Contract for GLNG Curtis Island LNG Jetty
John Holland has been awarded a marine subcontract worth in excess of $90 million which forms part of the works for GLNG’s proposed Curtis Island LNG facility.
Downer EDI announces $166.4 million profit
Downer EDI Limited (Downer) has announced underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $292.2 million for the year ended 30 June 2011, 8.1% lower than the previous year. Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) was 15.7% lower at $166.4 million.
BHP Billiton profit soars
BHP Billiton has posted a record profit of $22.6 billion, almost twice last year’s result and the biggest profit ever recorded by an Australian company.
Greens call for Olympic Dam processing jobs to stay in Australia
In the wake of BHP Billiton’s record profit announcement, South Australian Greens MP Mark Parnell is calling on the South Australian government to insist that BHP process Olympic Dam ore in South Australia, not export it to China to save costs.
Government announces steel support advance
The Federal Government has announced it will introduce a new advance facility into its Steel Transformation Plan (STP) in an attempt to counter the recent troubles in the steel production sector.
BHP to assist BlueScope unemployed
Mining giant BHP Billiton has announced plans to provide support to some of the 1,000 workers who will soon lose their jobs as BlueScope Steel shuts down its Port Kembla Steelworks.
BHP finalises Petrohawk acquisition
Mining giant BHP Billiton has announced the finalisation of its US$12.1 billion acquisition deal to purchase Houston-based Petrohawk Energy Corp.
WPG to sell South Australian iron ore assets to OneSteel
WPG Resources has agreed to sell its iron ore assets in South Australia to OneSteel Limited for about $346 million, crystallising a 400% return on the company's iron ore investment of $70 million.
Greens call for gas rethink
The Federal Greens have warned that billions of dollars worth of coal seam gas investment may become stranded assets within decades.
Arrow awards LNG plant design contract to offshore consortium
Arrow Energy’s plan to construct a multi-billion dollar LNG plant on Curtis Island off Gladstone in Central Queensland has taken a major step forward with the awarding of the front-end engineering design (FEED) contract.
NCVER finds record apprenticeship numbers
A report published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows that a record 460,000 apprentices and trainees are currently in training.
Vale to expand coal operations with Aquila
Brazil based mining giant Vale has announced its plans to co-fund and construct a new $US875 million coking coal mine in central Queensland.
Queensland urban areas off limits to mining exploration
No mining exploration will be allowed in and around urban areas of Queensland, including regional centres such as Ipswich, Toowoomba, Beaudesert, Rockhampton, Mackay and St George Queensland, after a new policy was considered by the Queensland Cabinet.
Queensland signs agreement with resources sector
The Queensland State Government has signed an agreement with the resources sector over sourcing new workers for the industry from coastal areas with high unemployment.
Strong carbon action to generate over 100,000 extra mining jobs: Report
A report has found that strong and immediate action against climate change through policy and industry reform would create 102,422 extra mining jobs by 2030.
MCA builds anti-carbon tax war chest
The Minerals Council of Australia has upped its anti-carbon tax campaign after announcing it will invoice its members for contributions to screen a fresh round of television and film advertising campaign.
Grants awarded for NT exploration projects
The Northern Territory Government has announced seven mineral exploration companies as successful recipients of the NT Government’s $600 000 exploration and drilling grants.