Newsletter: 8 December 2008
- China Education Association and TDA collaboration - invitation to MOU signing in Sydney
- Record number of TAFE graduates satisfied with training and employment according to NCVER
- Invitation to represent TDA in sustainability group
- Visa entitlement information available
- LH Martin Conference papers and presentations available
- Applications for Endeavour VET Outward Mobility Program now open
- Call for proposals - Ministry of Health Singapore program
- SA TAFE Teachers receive pay revision
- Tradespeople keen to be green
- NCVER Research scholarship grants
China Education Association and TDA collaboration - invitation to MOU signing in Sydney
TDA Members are invited to attend a MOU signing between TDA and the China Education Association for International Exchange at the Sydney Institute of TAFE, Ultimo, on 12 December.
The agreement, extended to five years, will facilitate collaboration and student mobility between China and Australia.
The new agreement aims for better alignment with key growth industries, which may include event management, tourism and hospitality, automotive and engineering and teacher training.
TDA members and partners are invited to join this roundtable meeting and discussion on the future directions and opportunities from the partnership.
RSVPS: By 10 December 2008 to rebeccabiazos@bigpond.com.
Record number of TAFE graduates satisfied with training and employment according to NCVER
TAFE student employment and satisfaction levels for 2008 have reached record levels, according to new National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) student satisfaction survey data.
Some 89 per cent of all graduates were satisfied with the overall quality of their training according to the Student Outcomes Survey released by NCVER.
Other results from the survey show:
- More than 80 per cent of VET graduates were employed after the completion of their training
- More than 75 per cent of graduates employed after training said their training was highly or somewhat relevant to their current job
- Almost 33 per cent of all graduates were enrolled in further study after their training
TAFE Directors Australia will compile a detailed review of the research, and forward to TDA member Institutes ahead of academic year 2009.
Invitation to represent TDA in sustainability group
TDA is seeking Expressions of Interest from TAFE institute staff interested in representing TDA on the Affinity Group - a dedicated international sustainability network created under the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP).
For more information about the group click here.
Those interested in representing TDA should respond to Pam Caven, by emailing memberservices@tda.edu.au - deadline by Friday 12 December. Expressions of interest should outline an interest in promoting sustainability in an education and training context, and some background or executive role in this emerging area.
Visa entitlement information available
TAFE Directors Australia, along with other peak bodies, took part in the Government International Stakeholders Committee on 2 December 2008
TDA appreciated being represented by Mark Howland, DET NSW, who also will be reporting back for the international TAFE executives network group, Australian TAFE International Network (ATIN).
One of the discussion points from the meeting was information on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service and how it can be used by education providers to check students' visa status and study conditions.
Attached is an overview of how providers can access student information on VEVO and their obligations when they do so.
LH Martin Conference papers and presentations available
Papers and presentations are now available from the LH Martin Institute Conference: 'Charting New Terrain: Creating and maintaining a diversified tertiary education sector in Australia'.
TAFE NSW, Sydney Institute Director, Pam Christie spoke at the event. She provided a VET perspective in response to Professor John Dawkin's presentation of the issues and challenges facing the higher education and vocational education and training sectors in Australia.
Click here to access the papers and presentations.
Applications for Endeavour VET Outward Mobility Program now open
AEI is calling for applications for the inaugural round of the Endeavour VET Outbound Mobility Program.
The program provides funding for between 10 and 15 projects up to a value of $35,000 that involve the outbound mobility of students undertaking courses leading to the award of a Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Vocational Graduate Certificate or Vocational Graduate Diploma.
Eligible activities include, but are not limited to travel costs, funding for staff replacement and outbound mobility program development.
Applications close on 30 January 2009. For further information on the Program visit the Endeavour VET Outbound Mobility website or email outboundmobility@deewr.gov.au.
Call for proposals - Ministry of Health Singapore program
Austrade Singapore has called for Australian TAFE Institutes to develop innovative programs to respond to the Health Manpower Development Program for Intermediate and Long Term Care Sector (HMDP-ILTC).
The program funds training both in-country and overseas for healthcare professionals (including doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers) and administrative personnel (including HR, finance, administration staff) with up to 75 per cent being funded by the Ministry of Health.
See the attached briefing slides for more information or contact Janice Aw in Singapore on +65 9177 7032 or janice.aw@austrade.gov.au.
SA TAFE Teachers receive pay revision
The South Australian Government has announced a revised salary offer to the Australian Education Union for SA TAFE staff.
The new offer provides a 13 per cent increase over three years to staff employed under the TAFE SA Act.
Tradespeople keen to be green
A new study by Dusseldorp Skills Forum of 100 tradespeople has revealed that many are keen to learn about and use green skills but are being held back because of cost, lack of interest by the employer and work attitudes.
One third of respondents have not learned what they regard as the full complement of issues, seen as necessary in the developing environmental 'green skills' agenda.
To view the report click here.
NCVER Research scholarship grants
VET practitioners interested in developing research skills that are relevant to the workplace can apply for a Communities of Practice Research Scholarship grant.
The scholarships are worth $4,000 and are available to novice researchers to conduct a project over one year, starting in April 2009. Successful applicants must have the support of their employers, who must be willing to match funding.
There are a limited number of scholarships and the closing date for submissions is 18 February 2009. For further information click here.
Diary Dates
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. |
UNIVERSITIES AUSTRALIA
Inaugural Higher Education Conference 2009
| DATE: | 4-6 March 2009 |
| LOCATION: | Hotel Realm, Canberra |
| 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. |