Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT
Code of Conduct
The code was reviewed by AEN Members in March 2025 and becomes effective 1st July 2025
This Code of Conduct has been developed by the registered Group Training Organisations (GTOs) who are recognised as the Apprentice Employment Network (AEN) representing GTO’s in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
The Intent of the Code
This Code of Conduct has been established in alignment with the AEN Constitution to foster professional unity and pride among Association members by upholding common standards of ethical behaviour.
Members are expected to adhere to a broad range of governance, employment, and vocational education and training regulatory requirements, which this Code acknowledges. Each organisation bears the responsibility to ensure full compliance with these obligations.
The Code embodies the vision, mission, and values of the AEN and its members:
Vision: To serve as the peak industry body representing Group Training in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Mission: To advocate for the interests and values of the Apprentice Employment Network and its member organisations.
Values: Conduct all activities with integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards.
This Code acts as a practical demonstration of the values and commitment of the Association and its members which are embodied in the Principles of the Code.
Principles
Code of Conduct
- Commitment to Industry Growth: Members shall actively support, promote, and advance AEN strategies, initiatives, and programs that foster the development of new and emerging industries, regions, and communities.
- Knowledge Sharing: Members are dedicated to enhancing the body of knowledge within the profession by sharing information, resources, and experiences with colleagues, and by applying their expertise to benefit others.
- Inclusive Opportunities: Members are committed to increasing access to employment and training opportunities for individuals from diverse, disengaged, and disadvantaged communities.
- Support for Apprentices and Trainees: Members pledge to implement and sustain strategies, services, and supports aimed at improving the completion rates of apprentices and trainees.
- Professional Development: Members have a responsibility to continuously develop their professional skills and to support the skill development of individuals aspiring to enter or progress within the profession.
- Professional Conduct: Members shall uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour in their interactions with others and in representing AEN to the public.
- Confidentiality and Privacy: Members must respect confidentiality and safeguard the privacy of information related to AEN, other members, their clients, and personnel.
- Ethical Business Practices: Members shall conduct business ethically and legally, acting with integrity and professionalism, and demonstrating good faith and fair dealing.
- Reputation Management: Members must ensure that their actions, and those of their officers, employees, and agents, do not undermine AEN’s mission, products, or services, or bring them into disrepute.
- Prohibition of Anti-Competitive Behaviour: Members and their personnel shall not engage in anti-competitive or corrupt practices, including sharing malicious or harmful information about fellow members or making misleading comparisons.
- Intellectual Property Respect: Members shall not steal, sell, copy, or manipulate databases belonging to other members, competitors, host-employers, clients, or AEN.
- Regulatory Compliance: Members must allocate resources and maintain controls to ensure compliance with the regulatory environment in which they operate.
- Transparency and Disclosure: Members accept the responsibility of disclosing any events or findings that could adversely reflect on their character, AEN’s reputation, or the industry.
- Honest Advertising: Members shall avoid misleading or false advertising. All claims made in marketing or advertising must be honest, accurate, and verifiable.
- Diversity and Respect: Members are committed to fostering a diverse workforce and ensuring a work environment where every employee is treated with fairness and respect.
- Conflict of Interest Management: Members shall take reasonable steps to avoid conflicts of interest. In cases of actual or potential conflicts, members must disclose and immediately withdraw from the situation.
- Commitment to Health and Safety: Members demonstrate a commitment to health and safety by preventing injuries, facilitating return-to-work programs, encouraging open dialogue, and setting measurable goals for health and safety performance.
Complaint Process
The AEN Executive is committed to upholding the principles of natural justice and ensuring that member complaints are addressed in accordance with the Constitution. The following outlines the process for handling complaints:
- Initial Submission: All member complaints should be directed to the AEN Executive Officer as the first point of contact.
- Assessment and Notification: Upon receiving a complaint, the Executive Officer will evaluate the scope of the issue and formally notify the complainant of the process, including the expected timeline for resolution.
- Referral to Relevant Authorities: If the complaint is of a notifiable nature, as defined by applicable statutes, the AEN Executive will immediately forward the matter to the appropriate authority or agency.
- Preparation of Brief: The Executive Officer will compile a comprehensive brief detailing the complaint for submission to the AEN Executive.
- Extraordinary Meeting: The Chair may instruct the Executive Officer to convene an extraordinary meeting of the AEN Executive to address the complaint.
- Further Investigation: The Chair may direct the Executive Officer to conduct additional investigations, which may include interviewing involved parties and gathering relevant information to assist the AEN Executive in their deliberations.
- Engagement of Independent Expertise: The AEN Executive may instruct the Executive Officer to engage an independent third party with expertise in dispute resolution and complaints management to provide guidance and support.
- Natural Justice and Fairness: In all cases, the AEN Executive will adhere to the principles of natural justice and the Constitution, ensuring procedural fairness, privacy, and confidentiality throughout the process.
- Conflict of Interest: If an AEN Executive Member is the subject of or a respondent to a complaint, the remaining members of the AEN Executive may decide to suspend the individual in accordance with the Constitution.
- Right to Appeal: If either party is dissatisfied with the handling or outcome of the complaint, they have the right to appeal. Appeals will be processed by an independent third party not previously involved in the complaint.
- Timely Appeal Resolution: All appeals will be addressed within 21 days of submission to ensure a prompt resolution.
Breaches of the Code of Conduct:
In the event of a breach of the Code or an upheld complaint against a member, the AEN Executive may take one or more of the following actions:
- Warning: The AEN Executive will formally notify the member of the identified inappropriate actions. The notification will include an offer of assistance to address and improve the identified issues.
- Requirement for Improvement: The AEN Executive, through an appointed delegate, will inform the member of the necessary corrective actions. The member will be required to provide evidence of improvement within a specified timeframe.
- Suspension: If a member fails to take the required steps to rectify or improve their practices, the AEN Executive may suspend the member in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Constitution.
- Expulsion: In cases where the breach of the Code is deemed severe, or if the conditions of suspension are not met, the AEN Executive may expel the member in accordance with the processes defined in the Constitution.
Written complaints can be addressed to:
AEN NSW ACT Executive
c/o AEN Executive Officer
PO Box 3165
North Strathfield NSW 2137
E: Enquiries@aennswact.com.au
