International Capability

TDA Capability

TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) is the national peak association for Australia’s 59 TAFE and technology institutes.  TDA member institutes service the needs of over 1.6 million Australian students per annum forming a critical part of Australia’s skilled workforce development.

International engagement is a key platform of Australian TAFE institutes in their development of skilled workers for a global economy. Australian TAFE is active in over 50 counties around the world utilising experience and know-how from the Australian system and changing lives, communities and economies through training and skills development.

Through the combined resources, know-how and infrastructure of the national TAFE system institutes operating independently but also come together in a range of consortia models to meet the training and skills needs of clients from across the globe.

Member Capability

TAFE Directors Australia member’s institutes engage with international clients on range of levels:

Inbound students

In 2007 the Australian VET system supported over 100,000 international students (from over 80 source countries) to complete a vocational qualification. TAFE institutes offer high levels of student support in both learning and lifestyle and student’s high levels of satisfaction are testament to the quality delivered.

Transnational (TNE) programs

TAFE institutes are experienced in developing and designing successful transnational programs - these projects span the globe with programs in Middle East, North and South Asia and the Pacific. Current data indicates that the TAFE system is training over 30,000 international VET students through transnational delivery (NCVER 2006).

Offshore industry development

TAFE institutes are leading the way in developing innovative global partnership with key multinational organisations to meet their skilling needs. TAFE WA’s partnership with Leighton’s in their global mining operations is a good example whereby TAFE meets the training needs of Leighton’s mobile workforce through offshore delivery co-located at key sites in India, Indonesia and the Pacific.

Systems development opportunities

TAFE institutes are well placed to work direct with government or key change agencies (including aid and development donors) to engage in large scale system development projects. Australian TAFE’s involvement in the $20 million Chongqing VET Project involved up to 10 Australian TAFE institutes in working and mentoring Chinese counterparts in VET reform and governance. As the largest provider of vocational education and training in Australia, and with the support of government, TAFE is the ideal partner for systems development projects.