Newsletter: 29 September 2008

    Skills Innovation 2020 photos and reports


    		 Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP presents the 2008 Mick Young Oration Skills Australia Chair, Philip Bullock presents to delegates TDA CEO, Martin Riordan and Minister for Employment Participation, the Hon. Brendan O'Connor MP Barry Peddle and Martin Riordan at the TDA 10th Anniversary celebrations
    Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP presents the 2008 Mick Young Oration Skills Australia Chair, Philip Bullock presents to delegates TDA CEO, Martin Riordan and Minister for Employment Participation, the Hon. Brendan O'Connor MP Barry Peddle and Martin Riordan at the TDA 10th Anniversary celebrations

    Photos from the TAFE Meets Parliament: Skills 2020 Forum as well as the TDA 10th Anniversary and Mick Young Oration Dinner are now available on the TDA website.

    The outcomes of the forum will be reported in a Communiqué.

    An Occasional Paper of the proceedings and presentations at the TAFE Meets Parliament: Skills Innovation 2020 forum will be launched in October. Presentation extracts from some of the speakers including Pr. David Battersby, Craig Robertson, Pr. Don Aitken, Jim Barron, Pam Christie, Rod Arthur and Cary Pedicini can be viewed here.

    International program presentations now available on TDA website

    Over 50 participants took part in TDA's first dedicated international program as part of TAFE Meets Parliament: Skills Innovation 2020.

    With an exceptional line up of national and international speakers, the program focused on key issues and opportunities facing TAFE's international engagement now and into the year 2020.

    Topics included:

    Members are invited to download speaker presentations and papers from the TDA website.

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    Standing Committee transcript available

    The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Training held a public hearing with the TDA Board Executive, 18 September.

    To view the transcript of the hearing click here.

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    New Government Office for Youth

    Minister for Youth, the Hon Kate Ellis MP, has launched the Australian Government Office for Youth. It will identify key issues facing youth and provide policy advice on issues including education, housing and health. To see the announcement click here.

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    Victorian Government launches International Student Taskforce

    The Victorian Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Jacinta Allan, has launched a taskforce to examine ways to enhance the experiences of international students in both the vocational education and higher education sectors. Click here for the announcement.

    Ms Allan also announced an initiative to grant up to 100 tertiary students assistance to help them find work in their regions during term breaks. The Rural Skills Cadet Program is aimed at increasing the number of students that return to their regions after study. Click here for the announcement.

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    Australian Homestay Network

    Australian Homestay Network (AHN) representative David Bycroft has extended his thanks to international TAFE directors for their interest in the issues identified and discussed in the Skills Innovation 2020 panel session on student support and integration.

    AHN is available to meet privately with individual institutions to discuss their own homestay strategies and implementation. David can be contacted directly here or visit the AHN website. Institution membership is free.

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    New direction for Australian Technical Colleges

    Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, has made two announcements regarding Australian Technical Colleges.

    The Australian Technical College - Western Sydney will expand and be operated by the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation. The Australian Technical College - North Adelaide will become a senior secondary college owned and operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide. Announcements can be viewed from the Minister's website.

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    Transnational delivery of VET courses in Iran

    Austrade Iran, in partnership with Australian Education International Middle East, has received market intelligence regarding interest from the Mehravan Institute of Technology to partner with a VET provider to deliver Australian VET courses in Iran.

    For more information see the attached document or contact Mr Lee Kennedy, Senior Trade Commissioner (Tehran) +98 21 88720472 (ext 113) Lee.Kennedy@austrade.gov.au.

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    World Federation of Colleges establishes sustainability group

    TDA members including SkillsTech Australia, Sunraysia Institute of TAFE and Victoria University have been nominated as members of a global sustainability group.

    The group will target the role of training in creating environmental sustainability and renewable resources and was established at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) annual congress held in New York City, February 2008.

    Held mid-way through the UN Decade of Education on Sustainable Development (2005 -2014), it was acknowledged that colleges and polytechnics are in a privileged position to help make their communities socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable.

    Any members with an interest in this area who are keen to be involved can contact Rebecca Biazos via email rebeccabiazos@bigpond.com.

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    National AUSTAFE Annual General Meeting

    Members and stakeholders are reminded that the National AUSTAFE Annual General Meeting will be held at the AUSTAFE National Conference in Adelaide, 2 October 2008.

    Attached is the AGM Notice and Proxy form for AUSTAFE members to complete if you are unable to attend.

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    New Australian Qualifications Framework Council newsletter

    The Australian Qualifications Framework Council (AQFC) has produced the first issue of its online newsletter. The AQFC plans to publish the newsletter four-six times a year.

    Subscribe to the newsletter by sending a message with 'I would like to subscribe' in the subject line to the AQFC email address: aqfc@saugov.sa.gov.au

    A copy of the first edition is available here.

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    DIARY DATES

    AUSTRALIAN COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION NETWORK
    2008 WACE Asia Pacific Conference
    DATE: 30 September - 3 October 2008
    LOCATION: Manly, Sydney
    DETAILS: For more information, click here.

    AUSTAFE
    2008 AUSTAFE Conference: Forging Dynamic Futures
    DATE: 1-3 October 2008
    LOCATION: Regency TAFE, Adelaide
    DETAILS: For more information, click here.

    VETNETWORK
    VETNetwork National Conference
    DATE: 1-3 October 2008
    LOCATION: Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour
    DETAILS: For more information, click here.

    AUSTRALIAN TAFE MARKETING ASSOCIATION
    Adapt-Forecast-Lead Conference 2008
    DATE: 8-10 October 2008
    LOCATION: William Angliss Institute Conference Centre, Melbourne
    DETAILS: For more information and Early Bird registration, click here.

    COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH INDUSTRY SKILLS COUNCIL
    Making a Difference Conference 2008
    DATE: 15-16 October 2008
    LOCATION: Hilton Hotel, Adelaide
    DETAILS: For more information and Early Bird registration, click here.

    GROUP TRAINING AUSTRALIA
    2008 Group Training National Conference
    DATE: 15-17 October 2008
    LOCATION: Cairns, QLD
    DETAILS: Early Bird Registrations close July 18. For more information, click here.

    DEPARTMENT OF FURTHER EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    5th Biennial Australian Learning Communities Network Conference
    DATE: 25-28 October 2008
    LOCATION: Hyatt Regency, Adelaide
    DETAILS: For more information, email Sharon Smith.

    MANUFACTURING SKILLS AUSTRALIA
    Manufacturing - Skilling for the Future
    DATE: 29 October 2008
    LOCATION: Dockside (Balcony 1), Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour, Sydney
    DETAILS: For more information, click here.

    ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA
    48TH Annual National Conference
    DATE: 30 October - 1 November 2008
    LOCATION: The Esplanade Hotel
    DETAILS: For more information, click here.

    LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES 2008
    DATE: 5-7 November 2008
    LOCATION: Sunshine Coast Mooloolaba TAFE, QLD
    DETAILS: The conference will investigate new and emerging earning technologies and their use, and address these issues under the theme of Learning Connections. Learning Technologies 2008 is about learning, creating and making connections in knowledge construction.
    For more information or to register, click here.

    REFRAMING THE FUTURE
    Engaging VET Practitioners
    DATE: 17-18 November 2008
    LOCATION: Crown Promenade, Melbourne
    DETAILS: For more information, click here.

    COMMUNITY SERVICES & HEALTH INDUSTRY COUNCIL
    Supporting the Health Profession - The next wave of workers
    DATE: 26 November 2008
    LOCATION: The Sebel, Albert Park, Melbourne
    DETAILS: For more information, click here.

    THE ASSOCIATION FOR ACTIVE EDUCATIONAL RESEARCHERS (AARE)
    AARE 2008 International Education Conference
    DATE: 30 November - 4 December 2008
    LOCATION: Brisbane
    DETAILS: For more information, click here.

    PRINCIPLE MEDIA LTD
    Learning Technologies Conference
    DATE: 28-29 January 2009
    LOCATION: London, UK
    DETAILS: For more information click here.

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