Newsletter: 1 December 2008

    LATE NEWS -- Saudi ~ Dubai TAFE Mission (Jan, 2009)

    SPECIAL BRIEFINGS ~ OPPORTUNITIES WITH QATAR

    The National Vocational Standards Project (NVSP) of Supreme Education Council from the State of Qatar has approached TDA to contact interested TAFE Institutes for VET provider contract opportunities in Qatar. NVSP seeks a partnership with an Australian TAFE or RTO (or an Australian state or territory representing a consortium of TAFEs or RTOs) to develop the vocational framework and quality assurance scheme in Qatar and to establish and operate the country's first National Vocational Education Institute.

    NVSP is seeking a five-year contract under which an Australian VET provider would establish and operate the first National Vocational Education Institute in Qatar.

    TDA is staging a week-long TAFE Mission to Saudi and Dubai in early January. Contact Rebecca Biazos directly for information, and reservations for your inclusion in this detailed series of business development briefings. For TDA, our representative on the NQC, Virginia Simmons, CEO of Chisholm Institute of TAFE (VIC) is attending.

    For reservation - REQUIRED FOR THIS WEEK -- Email rebeccabiazos@bigpond.com.

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    Holmesglen Institute (VIC) wins right to offer nursing degrees from 2009

    Holmesglen Institute of TAFE has won the right to offer a nursing degree to students, beginning in 2009.

    The Australian Financial Review newspaper (26 Nov 2008) reported that Holmesglen will offer 40 full-time places in nursing from July and aims to offer 200 places in three years.

    According to CEO Bruce Mackenzie, the decision culminates in TAFE Institutes moving to more contemporary market courses and capability, especially with the skills shortages continuing in nursing.

    CEO of TDA Martin Riordan, welcomed the approval, adding: "The approval provides hope that we can see a wider choice of institutions for those looking at a career in nursing".

    To view the AFR article click here.

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    Tasmanian skills strategy targets results for 2015

    The Tasmanian Government has announced its Tasmanian Skills Strategy to guide a $100 million annual investment in education and training.

    The strategy aims to increase the number of year 12 completions by five percentage points per year, increase the number of 15-64 year-olds with a Certificate III or above qualification to 49 per cent by 2015 and increase the number of 15-64 year-olds enrolled in education or training to 20 per cent by 2015.

    For more information click here.

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    New ABS report on education and work

    More Australians are seeking qualifications including bachelor degrees and certificates according to new results from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

    Key figures released in the Education and Work, Australia May 2008 report include:

    To view further details click here.

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    Victorian TAFE reforms topic of debate on ABC radio

    Victorian TAFE reforms were the subject of a lively debate on ABC Radio National program, National Interest

    Hosted by broadcaster, Peter Mares, the debate featured Matthew McGowan, Division Secretary, National Tertiary Education Union, and David Hetherington, Executive Director, Per Capita.

    To listen to the show click here.

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    Survey shows across the board use of e-learning

    A recent survey revealed 91 per cent of students and 88 per cent of teachers and trainers say their training or teaching includes at least some form of e-learning.

    The 2008 national survey by Australian Flexible Learning Framework also found an increase in formal e-learning in registered training organisations, with 36 per cent of vocational education and training formally involving e-learning compared with four per cent in 2003-2004.

    For more information click here.

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    VET researcher honoured at Australian Training Awards

    The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) awarded Professor Roger Harris the NCVER VET Researcher of the Year at the Australian Training Awards in Darwin last week.

    Professor Harris was honoured for his work as Professor of Adult and Vocational Education at the University of South Australia. He was congratulated for his focus on practical VET research and his determination to help increase the number of VET researchers.

    To view a media release from NCVER click here.

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    Diary Dates

    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.

    AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE LEARNING FRAMEWORK
    eLearning08
    DATE: 4-5 December 2008
    LOCATION: University of NSW Roundhouse, Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW
    DETAILS: www.flexiblelearning.net.au/NSW

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

    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS
    BIG Skills Conference
    DATE: 2-5 March 2009
    LOCATION: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
    DETAILS: For more information click here.

    CAREER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
    National Career Conference
    DATE: 15-17 April 2009
    LOCATION: Grand Hyatt, Melbourne
    DETAILS: For more information click here.

    TERTIARY STUDIES EXPO
    TSXPO
    DATE: 18-19 July 2009
    LOCATION: RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane
    DETAILS: For more information click here.

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