Newsletter 23 August 2010

     

    TDA writes to Federal Independent MPs seeking national skills agenda with incoming Government

    TAFE Directors Australia has written to Federal Independent and Green MPs, recommending a national skills strategy and improved VET funding as part of their negotiations with the major political parties after Saturday’s election.

    The Australiannewspaper today covered the initiative, saying the TAFE initiative aimed to assist regional areas acutely affected by skills shortages. Click here to view the article.

    TDA published an Election Manifesto 2010 during the Federal campaign which included special focus on the trialling of alternate apprenticeship pathways in the resources industry, and improved infrastructure funding for TAFE Institutes.

    The Manifesto highlighted data from Skills Australia, which detailed how the level of training would need to be lifted by 3% on average each year over five years, to address skills shortages. TDA also supported Australian Industry Group’s advocacy for political parties to commit $660 million per year over five years for this extra level of training and skills. 

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    International education alarm bells - push for greater recognition of international education

    Education industry groups sent out a call to political parties last week urging them to recognise and support the importance of international education to Australia.

    The joint statement was supported by the Australian Council for Private Education Providers, TAFE Directors Australia, IDP Education, the International Education Association of Australia and English Australia

    The statement promoted the important employment, educational, cultural, diplomatic, tourism and export value that the international student industry provides to Australia.

    Today Professor Simon Marginson, University of Melbourne, flagged in The Australian that tertiary institutions may need financial assistance from Government, because of the downturn now expected into 2011.

    See the statement here.

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    National media reports on TDA Blueprint for Tertiary Education

    The Sunday Age and Sun Herald published prominent reports over the weekend on the TDA Blueprint for Tertiary Education.

    The publications devoted major space in the news pages to TAFE Institutes offering degrees in Victoria, and increasingly in NSW, and TDA’s position seeking Commonwealth Supported Places for TAFE.

    To view the Sunday Age (Victoria) article click here. To view the Sun Herald (NSW) article click here.

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    Apprentice commencement levels show promise

    Apprenticeship commencements have returned to pre-economic downturn levels according to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).

    The NCVER has released its report, Apprentices and trainees – Early trend estimates, June quarter 2010, which shows some 22,000 commencements – in line with March quarter 2010 levels, and consistent with the numbers recorded prior to June 2008.

    For more information click here.

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    Don’t miss out – register for the TDA National Conference

    With only three weeks to go before the TDA National Conference, TDA is inviting those who haven’t yet registered to visit the website and book for the Conference, which is shaping up to be an essential occasion for TAFE and VET leaders.

    This year’s Conference, to be held in Melbourne 13-14 September, will bring together an exciting line-up of leaders in both domestic and international vocational education and training. To view a list of speakers click here.

    The Conference will explore a number of key themes including:

    Don’t miss out on attending the 2010 TDA National Conference!

    To register click here.

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    Diary Dates

    SKILLS AUSTRALIA 2010 CONFERENCE
    Using Skills Productively
    DATE: 6-7 September 2010
    LOCATION: Hilton Hotel, Sydney
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    TAFE DIRECTORS AUSTRALIA
    2010 National Conference: TAFE in the Year of the Tiger
    DATE: 13-14 September 2010
    LOCATION: Crown Promenade, Melbourne
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    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

    AUSTAFE CONFERENCE 2010
    Leadership, Innovation and Workplace Culture
    DATE: 14-15 October 2010
    LOCATION: Citigate Central, Sydney
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    CHAIR ACADEMY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
    DATE: 17-22 October 2010
    LOCATION: Peppers Moonah Links Resort, Victoria
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    CEET MONASH UNIVERSITY 14TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
    Education and Training for a more productive Australia
    DATE: 29 October 2010
    LOCATION: Ascot House, Melbourne
    DETAILS: Click here for more information 

    NATIONAL CENTRE FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH
    Research Forum - Fostering enterprise: The innovational and skills nexus
    DATE: 9 November 2010
    LOCATION: Australian Technology Park, Sydney
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    AAIR ANNUAL FORUM
    Has institutional research come of age in Australiasia?
    DATE: 10-12 November 2010
    LOCATION: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Geelong
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    WORLD CONGRESS
    DATE: November 2010
    LOCATION: Birmingham, UK
    DETAILS: www.wfcp.org

    AUSTRALIAN TRAINING MARKETING CONFERENCE & AWARDS PRESENTATION
    Buidling sustainability through marketing
    DATE: 10-11 November 2010
    LOCATION: Rydges Hotel, Brisbane
    DETAILS: Register for conference or enter awards online at www.atmaltd.org.au

    AUSTRALIAN YOUTH MENTORING NETWORK
    2010 Australian Youth Mentoring Conference
    DATE: 10-11 November 2010
    LOCATION: Radisson Resort, Gold Coast
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    WISE SUMMIT
    World Innovation Summit for Education
    DATE: 7-9 December 2010
    LOCATION: Sheraton Resort, Doha, Qatar
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

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