Newsletter 12 April 2010

     

    TDA responds to discussion paper on future resource sector skills needs

    TAFE Directors Australia has recommended that TAFE play a greater role in the training of resource industry employees.

    The call was made in TDA’s response to the National Resource Sector Employment Taskforce (NRSET) discussion paper ‘Resourcing the Future’.

    NRSET, led by the Parliamentary Secretary for Western Australia, The Hon Gary Gray MP, was set up to help secure the future workforce requirements in the resources sector, particularly those arising from the $50 billion Gorgon LNG Project.

    In its response, TDA welcomed the specific attention given to the role of education and training in meeting industry needs outlined throughout the NSERT discussion paper. It also raised the capacity for TAFE Institutes to play a more active role in the training of resource sector employees - a process that is often conducted in-house by the resource industry.

    See TDA’s response here.

    TDA thanks the members of its working group who helped assemble TDA’s response including:

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    The nation’s top skills to be showcased in Brisbane

    Some 500 of Australia’s best skilled apprentices and trainees will go head-to-head to compete in the National WorldSkills Australia competition to be held in Brisbane, from 7-9 May.

    It will bring together the best competitors from the regional rounds held across Australia. These talented young people will compete to be named the top of their field, and will be vying for their place in the Australian team which will compete in the International WorldSkills competition in London in 2011.

    To read more about WorldSkills and the upcoming National competition click here.

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    Federal Opposition hints at revival of Australian Technical Colleges

    Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mathias Cormann, has said that if the Coalition regained government, the party would scrap the Federal Government’s Trades Training Centres program

    In an article in The Australian, Senator Cormann said the Coalition would redirect unspent money from the Trades Training Centres into the reinstatement of a program similar to former Prime Minister, John Howard’s Australian Technical Colleges.

    View the article here.

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    Outbound mobility committee underway

    A comprehensive toolkit is being developed to support VET providers to set up outbound mobility programs which allow students to spend part of their studies in an overseas location.

    A Steering Committee with strong representation from TAFE is helping to guide the development of the toolkit and one of the key aspects of the project will be a workshop on 6 May at the MCG in Melbourne.

    More details on the forum can be found here and TDA members are strongly encouraged to register their interest in attending.

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    Government outlines green skills commitment

    The Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mark Arbib, has delivered a presentation to the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia’s ‘Green Jobs – innovation and sustainable business’ luncheon, outlining the Federal Government’s plans for the advancement of green skills.

    Senator Arbib reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing green skills into all training packages.

    To view a transcript of the speech click here.

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    New CEO for national training body

    TVET Australia, the body that supports the National Training System and is responsible to the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment, has appointed its new CEO, Neil Edwards.

    Mr Edwards has 25 years’ experience in both government and industry. Most recently he held the position of chief executive of the Chifley Business School, a higher education and vocational education and training provider.

    For more on this announcement click here.

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    Young people hit hard by economic downturn

    A new report from Mission Australia has recommended that the Federal Government re-introduce age limits of a number of subsidised traineeships to allow younger people to gain priority employment and training.

    The report says that young Australians have borne the brunt of unemployment during the economic downturn. It says that incentives for employers of apprentices and trainees should be increased.

    View a media release here.

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    Australian Financial Review Higher Education Conference 2010

    TDA is proud to support the Australian Financial Review Higher Education Conference, to be held in Sydney 8-9 June.

    The two day annual conference will discuss the 2010-11 Federal Budget outcomes and how the government has delivered on its promises. Higher education leaders will share their goals for influencing government policy.

    For more details and registration click here.

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    Call for papers – national VET research conference

    The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Polytechnic West and the Central Institute of Technology will hold the 19th ‘No Frills’ Conference in Perth, 7-9 July.

    NCVER is calling for research papers and presentations for the conference. The Conference will focus on strategies, observations and practices that can influence VET policy.

    To nominate a paper or presentation, or for more information on the Conference click here.

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    Study and travel opportunity in manufacturing and automotive field

    Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA) has opened applications for its Innovation Program Study Award, which offers $10,000 for overseas study and travel.

    The Award will provide the winner with the opportunity to gather international intelligence on skills and technologies not available in Australia. It is open to VET students, teachers, trainers and enterprises in the manufacturing and automotive industry.

    For more information click here.

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    National Career and Employment Roadshow

    The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council is holding a series of free information sessions showcasing four new ISC resources to help determine career pathways in the community services and health industries.

    The resources include:

    Click here for more information about the information sessions.

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    Diary Dates

    GROUP TRAINING AUSTRALIA
    2010 'Skills2Work' Conference
    DATE: 15-16April 2010
    LOCATION: Hilton, Adelaide
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    NATIONAL CENTRE FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH (NCVER)
    19th National 'No Frills Research Conference
    DATE: 7-9 July 2010
    LOCATION: Central Institute of Technology, East Perth Campus, Perth
    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 here for 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

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