Newsletter 8 November 2010

     

    Minister Evans promotes Australian education in China

    The Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator, the Hon Chris Evans, has led a delegation to China to promote the Australian international education sector.

    While there, he announced a new partnership between the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Shanghai University which will boost research, student exchange and training collaboration between the two Institutions. Click here to view the announcement. View a transcript of a doorstop here.

    The Government will also contribute $100,000 to expand the China-Australia Executive Leadership Program -an exchange program for Chinese university leaders. Click here to view the announcement.

    He also announced a new information portal for Chinese students who are considering studying, living or working in Australia. The information is provided through the Study in Australia website, and forms part of the Australian International Student Strategy released on 29 October. To view the announcement click here.

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    New data uncovers full scale of apprentice layoffs

    The full impact of the economic downturn on trades training has come to light, with new data showing that apprentice job losses and redundancies tripled.

    The data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) reveals that the number of apprentices not completing their qualification due to layoffs rose from 8.6% in 2008 to 26.8% in 2010. The worst hit were those in construction and automotive.

    However the good news is that overall, employment for apprentices and trainees remains high, and most apprentices report that they are satisfied with the training.

    See the report here.

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    Legislation to establish a National VET Regulator imminent – TEQSA briefings wk 8th Nov

    TDA was invited by DEEWR to a detailed briefing on the National VET Regulator legislation, held in Melbourne.

    TDA was represented by Pam Caven, Director Policy and Stakeholder Engagement, and would like to thank Darrell Cain, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer, Box Hill Institute of TAFE, and Natalina Velardi, Director of Compliance Services, Victoria University, for accompanying Pam to the briefing.

    The legislation to establish the new regulatory body is imminent and TDA will keep members informed on the progress.

    Further briefings are likely by DEEWR on impending TEQSA legislation, and the new Higher Education protocols. Members will be informed when information becomes available.

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    Funding for promised Trades Training Centres

    The Federal Government has announced $219.6 million for 58 new Trade Training Centres (TTCs) as part of the $2.5 billion Trades Training Centres in Schools program.

    The announcement was made by Minister for School Education, the Hon Peter Garrett MP. Click here to view the announcement. A link to the results of the third round of TTC, is available at www.tradetrainingcentres.deewr.gov.au.

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    More school students participating in VET

    More than 229,000 high school students undertook a VET in Schools program in 2009 as part of their senior secondary school certificate, up 4% from 2008.

    New data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows that 21,500 VET in Schools students undertook a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship last year, while the vast majority of VET in Schools students enrolled in other vocational programs.

    To view the data click here.

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    Opportunity to engage in Job Ready program

    The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has released a ‘Request for Proposal’ for the Provision of Workplace Assessment Services for the Job Ready Program.

    The Job Ready Program was established in 2010, and assesses the job readiness of international student graduates from Australian trade training programs seeking permanent migration to Australia. The opportunity will close on Tuesday 30 November. To view dates for industry briefings, or for more information, click here.

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    Leadership program attracts large TAFE crowd

    More than 70 TAFE leaders recently attended a Deloitte Leadership Academy program held in conjunction with the TAFE Development Centre and the Victorian TAFE Association.

    The event featured three key speakers:

    To view presentations from each speaker click on the links above.

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    New mining training facility for Whyalla TAFE

    South Australian Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, the Hon. Jack Snelling, has opened revamped facilities at the TAFE SA Whyalla Campus, including a new Mining Trades Centre.

    The upgrades were part of a $6.5 million investment, as part of the Governments $70 million program to upgrade and maintain TAFE facilities. Click here to view the announcement.

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    Spotlight on the racing industry

    SkillsOne TV channel recently travelled around the country to visit various Institutes offering racing industry training programs to learn more about the careers and skills shortages within the $10 billion industry.

    Among the locations visited were Polytechnic West’s Equine Training Centre, TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute and the National Centre for Equine Education. SkillsOne has provided video highlights from each location. Click here to view the videos.

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    WorldSkills youth forum brings fresh ideas to the table

    WorldSkills Australia (WSA) has circulated its latest newsletter which includes highlights from the recent Youth Forum held in Adelaide.

    The forum brought together 25 former competitors to share their views on improving the WSA organisation. Click here to view the newsletter.

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    Latest research newsletter

    The latest newsletter from the Australasian Association for Institutional Research features some key events in 2011. Members may be interested to check this out and update their diaries.

    Click here to view the newsletter.

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    Diary Dates

    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: 13-15 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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