Newsletter 29 March 2010
- Victoria’s skills plan ‘backfires’ according to media reports
- Re-registration of international education providers underway
- TAFE can aid degree delivery according to expert Victorian panel
- China VET leadership program hailed a success
- New appointments in TAFE Institutes
- TDA representatives on the National Quality Council
- TDA sponsors VET event at the Shanghai World Expo
- Another private college closes its doors
- Second ‘Policy in the Pub’
- Community services and health advisory committee opportunity
- 2009 research messages released
- Outward mobility on the move
- Update on AEI consultations
- New city guides for international students
- Austrade missions to the Philippines and Vietnam
- Hong Kong curriculum developments
- E-learning funding opportunity
- Diary Dates
TDA wishes all readers, its members and staff a Happy Easter
|
|
Victoria’s skills plan ‘backfires’ according to media reports
Victoria’s efforts to recognise TAFE’s role as a vital player in easing the skills crisis by implementing a university-style fees and loan system has resulted in a fall in student numbers according to an editorial in The Age last week.
The editorial says the apparent reason for the decline in student numbers for diploma and advanced diploma courses, is the tripling of course fees to support the changes.
The article says that the Federal Government needs to act on the Bradley Review recommendation that the Commonwealth assume primary responsibility for funding VET.
View the full editorial here. To read a second article from The Age click here.
Re-registration of international education providers underway
Following amendments to the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the state and territory regulatory authorities have begun re-registering providers of courses for overseas students.
Approximately 1,300 providers will be required to re-register and the process has several stages:
- Stage one requires all providers to complete an online form linked to the PRISMS database. Those providers in receipt of government funding are expected to gain re-registration at this point.
- Stage two is where there are some concerns or questions about the data provided, and these providers will be asked to complete a self-assessment questionnaire which includes declarations that evidence is available to support their statements and adherence to the National Code.
- Stage three is where the regulatory authorities request copies of evidence for a desktop audit and a possible site visit.
When a provider is not recommended for re-registration, a block will be placed on their ability to issue any further confirmation of enrolments, regardless of whether they appeal the decision.
TAFE can aid degree delivery according to expert Victorian panel
The Victorian Government has been urged to create a fund to aid TAFE to deliver degree programs in an effort to meet skills needs.
The call comes from an expert panel advising the state government on its tertiary education plan, whose report found that Victoria requires an increase of 10,000 degree commencements a year. The panel says this capacity could be met through joint arrangements between universities and TAFE, particularly in regional areas.
To read the full article from The Australian click here.
China VET leadership program hailed a success
|
|
|
Chinese visitors with South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE Acting Director, Phil Cox. |
Forty seven college directors from the top vocational colleges in China have received certificates for completing a four week intensive leadership training program in Australia.
The program was sponsored by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and managed by TDA in association with nine TAFE Institutes in four states.
The delegation was led by Professor Wen Xiaozhang, President of the Mianyang Vocational and Technical College and all delegates rated the program as more than meeting their expectations.
On the strength of this success, TDA is now working with the CEAIE in designing a similar leadership program for the second half of this year.
New appointments in TAFE Institutes
Two new CEO appointments have been made in TAFE Institutes over recent weeks:
- Adrian Marron has been appointed CEO of the Canberra Institute of TAFE
- Maria Peters has been appointed CEO of Chisholm Institute of TAFE
Congratulations to both Adrian and Maria.
TDA representatives on National Quality Council
TDA’s representatives on the National Quality Council Action Groups for 2010 will be:
- Allan Ballagh - Framework Implementation Action Group (see Terms of Reference here)
- Dr Anne Jones - Quality of Assessment Action Group (see Terms of Reference here)
- Brian McDonald - Off-shore International Action Group (see Terms of Reference here)
The meetings for the NQC and its Action Groups will be held in Melbourne throughout the year. TDA thanks these members for their representation. For more information on the NQC click here.
TDA sponsors VET event at the Shanghai 2010 World Expo
TDA is delighted to announce its sponsorship of a vocational education and training event at the Australian Pavilion, Shanghai World Expo.
Scheduled for 24 June, the event is part of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ (DEEWR) business program. TDA will work closely with DEEWR, as well as the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), to produce a valuable networking and plenary session.
This event will be the culmination of a 10 day TDA Mission to China which will include site visits in Chongqing and Shanghai and a joint TDA/CEAIE Symposium on the previous day. A notice and invitation to participate will be sent to all TDA members this week.
Second ‘Policy in the Pub’
TVET Australia is holding its second ‘Policy in the Pub’ event ‘The National Regulator: the good, the bad and the ugly’ in Melbourne, 19 April.
Guest speakers will include Jennifer Taylor, Group Manager, Tertiary Skills and Productivity, DEEWR, Mary Hicks, Director, Employment and Training, ACCI, and Pam Caven, Acting CEO of TDA.
For more information click here.
Another private college closes its doors
Austech Institute of Further Education has been added to the growing list of private colleges closing down and leaving international students stranded.
The Sydney-based hospitality college has entered into voluntary liquidation. It was attended by more than 700 full-fee paying international students who will now need to be found alternative education placements.
Click here to read an article from the Sydney Morning Herald.
Community services and health advisory committee opportunity
The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council is currently inviting key stakeholders to join an advisory committee which will oversee improvements to the Health Training Package. For more information click here.
To nominate to represent TDA on this committee, please contact Pam Caven, Acting CEO, TDA by 30 March who will forward the appropriate forms.
2009 research messages released
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has released a compilation of its key research reports for 2009.
The research summaries in the report are clustered under five broad themes including: industry and employers; students and individuals; teaching and learning: VET system; and VET in context.
View the publication here.
Outbound mobility on the move
Two events scheduled for the first week of May will give further impetus to extending and expanding student and teacher mobility across the globe:
- Australian Education International is hosting a free forum on outward mobility in VET on 6 May at the MCG in Melbourne. Click here for more information.
-
IEAA will join with Victorian Universities for a forum the next day featuring Melbourne University’s Professor Simon Marginson and Martha Johnson from the University of Minnesota. Click here for more information.
TDA is also represented on an AEI Steering Committee for their VET 2010 Outbound Mobility Initiative. More details on this project will be posted following the first meeting on 7 April.
Update on AEI consultations
The Australian Education International (AEI) consultative team led by Di Weddell and Professor John Dearn have completed their round of consultations across Australia, despite the challenges of the Perth hailstorm.
The transfer of marketing and promotional activity to Austrade from July this year has given AEI the opportunity to focus on its future role with an emphasis on policy development and implementation, research and multilateral partnerships.
Further stakeholder consultations with Austrade are scheduled for next week and updates will be posted after Easter.
New city guides for international students
The Victorian Government has helped launch a new publication aimed at giving Melbourne transport, health and accommodation advice to international students.
The guide, ‘The Insider 2010 – International Student Guide’ created by Insider Publishing, was launched by Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation, the Hon Bronwyn Pike and is available online here. A guide is also available for Adelaide students.
Austrade missions to Philippines and Vietnam
Austrade is planning missions to the Philippines and Vietnam to visit donor institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank who are seeking consulting expertise for their South East Asian projects.
The deadline for applications to join these missions is 12 April. For information about the Philippines mission click here. For information about the Vietnam mission click here.
Hong Kong curriculum developments
Australian Education International (AEI) Hong Kong will deliver seminars on the latest developments of the new Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) curriculum and qualification in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth from 16-22 April 2010, and Canberra on 20 May 2010.
The seminars will be conducted in conjunction with the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority and the Hong Kong Education Bureau.
For more information click here. To register, please send your details to info.hongkong@aei.gov.au by 31 March.
E-learning funding opportunity
TAFE Institutes can apply for a share in $25,000 of funding to investigate e-learning systems that help students move between VET and other sectors of education and employment.
The funding is being provided through the Australian Flexible Learning Framework and applications for this funding will close 21 April. More information is available here.
Diary Dates
AVETRA
2010 Conference
DATE: 8-9 April 2010
LOCATION: Holiday Inn, Surfers Paradise
DETAILS: Click here for more information
VTA STATE CONFERENCE 2010
Victorian TAFE in the Tertiary Landscape
DATE: 6-7 May 2010
LOCATION: Novotel Forest Resort, Creswick
DETAILS: Click herefor more information
TAFE DIRECTORS AUSTRALIA
2010 National Conference
DATE: 13-14 September 2010
DETAILS: Details will be available soon
AUSTRALIAN COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION NETWORK
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Responding to Challenges
DATE: 30 September - 1 October 2010
LOCATION: Curtin University of Technology, Perth
DETAILS: Click here for more information
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the TDA Newsletter click here.