Newsletter 15 August 2011

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    Bids begin for Workforce Development Fund

    Industry can bid for funding to train its workforce following the launch of the $558 million Federal Government Workforce Development Fund by Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator the Hon Chris Evans.

    The fund will work on a co-contribution model which means that large enterprises will contribute 66% of the cost of training, medium enterprises 50%, and small enterprises 33%.

    The 2011-12 round of the fund will include $73 million available across all industry sectors, with $50 million focusing on the priority industry sectors of construction (civil and general) and aged care.

    The fund will include the Critical Skills Investment Fund.

    Applications close 12.00 noon (EST) 30 September 2011. For more information click here. To view a media release from Senator Evans, click here.

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    Big names and big issues at TDA National Conference

    With only weeks until the TDA National Conference, TDA members and their staff, as well as industry leaders, are encouraged to make their final bookings. Special accommodation rates at Sheraton on the Park end on Wednesday, 17 August.

    The conference, titled ‘Balancing the Big Issues’, will feature an exciting line-up of speakers and sessions. See a list of bios for conference speakers here.

    Highlights of the Conference will include:

    A performance by singer songwriter Tim Freedman will be staged for delegates at the welcome cocktail reception, on Sunday evening, 4 September.

    Book now for the Gala Dinner featuring an address by Therese Rein – limited places are available.

    For more information on the Conference and Gala Dinner, or to book click here.

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    Strategic framework key to Australia-India Education

    The Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator the Hon. Chris Evans, led an Australian delegation for the opening sessions of the Australia-India Education Council (AIEC), in India.

    Neil Fernandes, Managing Director of Central Institute of Technology (WA), was appointed the TDA representative for the AIEC Council, and took part in the week-long mission to New Delhi.

    Areas of interest discussed during the AIEC’s proceedings included qualifications and quality assurance frameworks, student mobility and exchange, and higher education linkages (including cooperative research endeavours).  For the skills development sector, issues canvassed included the engagement of industry in the further development of India’s vocational training system, the establishment of skills sector councils in India, the progress of a national qualifications framework, and relationships at the provider level.

    The purpose of the AIEC was primarily to identify strategic goals and strengthen further bilateral relationships. As a result of the mission, a number of working groups were established, with the current membership and work program due to continue until the end of 2012. The mission learned that the Indian Government and industry was targeting to train 500 million people by 2022, across a wide range of industry sectors.

    A dedicated website was launched by the Australian and Indian government Ministers: http://www.australiaindiaeducation.com.

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    Merger between Central Queensland TAFE and university

    The Queensland Government has approved a merger between CQUniversity and the Central Queensland Institute of TAFE.

    The two institutes will combine to become one of the largest education institutes in Queensland, and the first Queensland dual-sector university.

    The approval will allow the two institutes to implement the first stages of the merger. Click here to see a media release from the Premier, the Hon Anna Bligh MP. 

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    Further study past Year 12 vital says new report

    Completing Year 12 is no longer sufficient, and in most cases young people are advised to attain Year 12 and further study, according to research from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).

    According to the study, an apprenticeship after Year 12 is the most lucrative route for males, as is university study. For females, the best choice is university, even for those with lower levels of academic orientation.

    Click here for more information.

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    Social media critical to international market

    International education has been transformed by social media, according to a four-year global research project by the British Council’s Education Intelligence unit, and published in The Australian.

    The research shows that institutions must be actively online and using social media, to reach the best, and largest number, of international students.

    Click here for an article by The Australian.

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    Malaysian education showcase

    Austrade is arranging a series of events in Malaysia to showcase the breadth of Australia’s education and training capability, to be held 14-16 October. 

    The showcase will provide an opportunity to profile and raise awareness of individual institutions not only to potential students and parents, but also to representatives from a range of ministries, industry and professional groups. 

    This year’s showcase includes a seminar series, designed to profile the niche strengths of institutions, streamed live nationwide via webinar and webcast, allowing participants to interact with a far larger target audience.  

    The Showcase also will include a discussion forum,  with speakers and participants from the Malaysian government, institutions, industry and education associations. Presentations will include topics such as public funding for higher education, the role for Australia in the Malaysia’s emerging international education hub, the Australian VET model in Malaysia, and collaborations with schools. 

    An Australian Alumni Gala Dinner will follow the forum.  Those interested in taking part in the Showcase are encouraged to register here.

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    Beginner workshops for online country profiles

    Australian Education International National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) is offering beginner workshops on how to use Country Education Profiles (CEPs) online.

    The workshops will be held in the following locations:

    Click here for more information. Register here.

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    AgriFoods fellowships available

    AgriFood Skills Australia and the International Specialised Skills Institute Inc. are offering two International Fellowships valued at $10,000 each for applicants to travel overseas and research a topic of value to the agrifood industry.

    Click here for more information.

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    Diary Dates

    MANUFACTURING SKILLS AUSTRALIA
    Conference – Productivity and participation, addressing the balance
    DATE: 24 August, 2011
    LOCATION: Grand Hyatt Melbourne
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    TAFE NSW MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
    2011 Conference
    DATE: 26 August, 2011
    LOCATION: Menzies Hotel Sydney
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    TDC TEACHING & LEARNING CONFERENCE
    DATE: 1 September, 2011
    LOCATION: Woodward Conference Centre, Carlton, Victoria
    DETAILS: More information here

    TDA CONFERENCE
    2011 National Conference
    DATE: 5-6 September, 2011
    LOCATION: Sheraton on the Park Hotel, Sydney
    DETAILS: More information here

    FORESTWORKS
    Annual Industry Development Conference - Productivity & Competitiveness
    DATE: 13-15 September, 2011
    LOCATION: Hyatt Hotel and Parliament House, Canberra
    DETAILS: More information here

    2011 NSW TRAINING AWARDS
    Presentation Event
    DATE: 15 September, 2011 – 6pm
    LOCATION: The Ballroom, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
    DETAILS: Tickets available here

    EyeQ 2011
    ‘eyecons of e-learning’ conference
    DATE: 16 September, 2011
    LOCATION: Brisbane
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    AGRIFOOD
    2011 National Conference
    DATE: 22 September, 2011
    LOCATION: Brisbane
    DETAILS: Click here for more information.

    AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
    2011 Conference
    DATE: 11-14 October, 2011
    LOCATION: Adelaide Convention Centre
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    AUSTAFE National Conference
    2020 Vision
    DATE: 12-14 October, 2011
    LOCATION: Canberra
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE TRAINING FRAMEWORK
    ePortfolios Australia Conference 2011
    DATE: 17-18 October, 2011
    LOCATION: Perth
    DETAILS: Click here for more information.

    CS&HISC
    Making a Difference... 2011: Breaking Through the Barriers
    DATE: 19-20 October, 2011
    LOCATION: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    GROUP TRAINING AUSTRALIA
    Looking ahead - Group Training National Conference
    DATE: 19-21 October, 2011
    LOCATION: Grand Hyatt, Melbourne
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    AAIR FORUM
    Australasian Association for Institutional Research Forum “Let the sunshine in”
    DATE: 9-11 November, 2011
    LOCATION: Sea World Resort, Gold Coast
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    STRATEGIC REGIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
    ‘For innovation’
    DATE: 18 November, 2011
    LOCATION: The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    2011 AUSTRALIAN TRAINING AWARDS
    DATE: 25 November, 2011
    LOCATION: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Bank
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

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