Newsletter 30 August 2010

     

     

    Book your place at the TDA 2010 National Conference

    The TAFE Directors Australia National Conference gets underway in two weeks in Melbourne (13-14 September), with an exciting line-up of both international and local education and training speakers.

    Key speakers include:

    Ensure your TAFE Institute is represented and take advantage of the professional development network provided by the National Conference for TAFE Institutes. Click here for more information. 

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    New VET equity paper

    The National VET Equity Advisory Council (NVEAC), which provides advice on equity reform in the national training system to the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment (MCTEE), has released an Equity Blueprint for consultation.

    The Blueprint argues that focus should be on clever design that ‘builds equity into the DNA’ of the VET system. NVEAC argues that the range of COAG reforms currently underway should pay stronger attention to concepts of universal design, features that make the system accessible to any learner, and qualities that make success possible for all.

    Information on how to submit feedback is available on the NVEAC website. Submissions are due by 10 September 2010. 

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    TAFEs rewarded for efforts in sustainability

    Eight TAFE Institutes from across NSW were recently rewarded for outstanding leadership in sustainability, as part of the NSW Education Departments’ Year of Learning for Sustainability Awards of Excellence, held at TAFE NSW’s Northern Sydney Institute’s Ryde College.

    The winners were announced by the Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Verity Firth MP, who said, “TAFE Institutes have placed green skills at the forefront of their course offerings, partnering with industry and equipping students with the essential skills required for a sustainable workplace”.

    To view a media release and a list of winners click here. 

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    TAFE Institutes urged to help promote international student safety campaign

    Organisers of the ‘Think Before’ international student safety campaign are seeking the assistance of TAFE Institutes to promote the campaign to students.

    The campaign alerts international students to the danger signs in our society, and aims to minimise the risks to their safety. It delivers safety messages to the students via social media and SMS in 14 languages. For more information about the campaign, click here.

    TAFE Institutes are urged to distribute a pre-written email message to promote the initiative. Click here to view the message. 

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    VET in teaching paper – submissions invited

    The L H Martin Institute at the University of Melbourne is inviting comments on its latest paper focussing on teaching in VET.

    The quality of teaching in VET: options paperpresents a range of options, models and proposals on VET teacher preparation, qualifications and continuing professional development, and on ensuring and evaluating the quality of VET teaching and its impact on the VET student experience and outcomes.

    The paper can be accessed via the Australian College of Educators’website. Submissionswill be used to prepare the project’s final report and recommendations. Please email your submission to Associate Professor Leesa Wheelahan via leesaw@unimelb.edu.auby close of business, 4 October. 

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    Special event in India

    Austrade is promoting Australian alumni in India through an award function to be held during the Commonwealth Games at the Australian High Commission in Delhi, 9 October.

    TAFE Institutes can support this event in a number of ways including a physical presence, nominating alumni for the awards, providing details of alumni in India to be invited to the function or taking out a sponsorship.

    Click here for more information. 

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    TDA’s international connections update

    TDA’s Director, International Engagement and Business Development, Peter Holden has provided members with an update on the extensive work that TDA is undertaking in relation to international education, including its consultation with various international representatives and its involvement in initiatives including international delegations and scholarship programs. 

    To view a comprehensive update on international engagement click here.

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    Explore opportunities in the Middle East

    Austrade is inviting applications for a trip to the Middle East to engage in a series of education events including meeting with prospective students, meeting with local institutional and government representatives, and exploring potential areas of cooperation.

    For more information click here.

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    UK opens up English language testing market

    The United Kingdom Border Agency recently announced that the TOEFL® test is now accredited to demonstrate English language proficiency for students under Tier 4 (general) of the points-based system throughout the United Kingdom.

    The TOEFL test is the most widely recognised English language assessment worldwide with more than 7,500 colleges and universities around the world accepting the TOEFL test to demonstrate English proficiency. Please find the full media release from Educational Testing Service (ETS) here. 

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    International VET congress

    Members are reminded about the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics’ (WFCP) 2010 World Congress to be held in Birmingham, UK, 13-15 November.

    The World Congress is the leading international event for providers of vocational education and skills training, drawing participants from over 36 countries with over 300 delegates from Colleges, Polytechnics or higher education organisations.

    This year the Congress will focus on the role of education in driving the global recovery. For more information click here.

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    Feedback sought on community services and health training packages

    The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (CS&HISC) has circulated information regarding changes to two Training Packages: CHC08 Community Services and HLT07 Health.

    The changes will affect the majority of qualifications across the Training Packages, and the CS&HISC is requesting feedback from industry about the changes.

    For more information click here.

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    VET research funding available

    The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has invited applications from researchers for its National VET Research and Evaluation program funding round.

    Previous successful applicants have included researchers based in universities or VET providers, private consultants and researchers within government/industry.  Research projects will need to align with at least one of the five national research priorities. For more information click here.

    Also from NCVER...

    NCVER is also calling for nominations for the 2011 VET Researcher of the Year Award. Nominations close 5pm, 5 November.

    NCVER has also released the results of an investigation into changes in employer satisfaction with VET between 2005 and 2009. South Australia showed the most significant increase in employer satisfaction with vocational qualifications, whereas New South Wales, Tasmania and the ACT showed the highest increase in employer satisfaction with apprentices and trainees.

    For further details click here.  

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    New Chair of SA Training and Skills Commission

    Mr Adrian Smith, has been appointed as the new Chair of South Australia’s Training and Skills Commission – the state’s peak advisory body on skills and workforce development.

    Mr Smith is the managing director of SYDAC, a developer of simulation technology and engineering software, and has been a member of the Commission since 2003.

    To view the announcement click here. 

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    Mentoring for emerging VET leaders

    Members may be interested in a professional mentoring support service being offered to emerging VET leaders by Wendy Perry and Associates (WPAA).

    WPAA has also established a national ‘Emerging VET Leaders’ network on Facebook. For more information 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: Click here for more information.

    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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