Newsletter: 16 March 2009

    TAFE Institute projects most favoured for VET outward mobility funding

    TAFE Institute projects been highly favoured in grant funding announced through the inaugural Endeavour VET Outbound Mobility Program.

    Nine TDA members from Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia were among the 11 education providers chosen for the program. The institutes will receive a share of $371,000 of Australian Government funding to provide the opportunity for 137 vocational education and training (VET) students to undertake an international study experience.

    For more information, including a list of the successful TDA Members click here.

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    Media reports on Pacific Brands in talks with government to provide TAFE training

    Embattled clothing company, Pacific Brands is in talks with the Federal Government about providing retraining to workers, and providing assistance to workers who will become unemployed during the coming year according to The Australian.

    Pacific Brands is in negotiations to offer $3 million for the training of 1,850 staff in TAFE Certificate IV courses. Click here to view the article.

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    Training statistics show imbalance of providers -- urge for overhaul of Productivity Places Program

    Statistics released on the Federal Government's Productivity Places Program (PPP) show that most places have been channelled to small or medium private training RTOs, with most PPP applications by TAFE Institutes declined, according to Campus Review (3 March, 2009).

    Campus Review notes that of the 77, 615 people enrolled in the PPP, just 1,816 (2%) were studying at TAFE. This contrasts with the overall training landscape where TAFE provides some 80% of vocational education and training in Australia.

    The article says that the PPP funding rate is insufficient for public training providers to deliver high-end technical skills. TDA has on numerous occasions formally written to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Government, and will continue to seek a review of the terms of the PPP scheme, especially after the release of the data.

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    Fulbright VET Professional Scholarship 2009

    Martin Riordan, CEO of TDA, was awarded the Australian American Fulbright Professional VET Scholarship 2009, in Hobart last week. The Premier of Tasmania, the Hon. David Bartlett MP, presented the award, along with senior Australian and American government officials.

    Deb Daly, Chair of TDA, issued a media release congratulating Martin Riordan on the award. She said the Scholarship program would deliver for TDA an insight into various features of the American Community College system - especially industry, community and equity engagement, and articulation of qualifications.

    Martin will be hosted by various colleges including the ACCC in Washington over four months during 2009-2010.

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    New DEEWR orientation resource for students

    The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has funded a free online orientation handbook for students, which can be downloaded by TAFE Institutes and customised with their own branding.

    Topics include tips on settling in, studying and social and cultural information.

    The resource can also help providers disseminate essential safety information to students. Almost one third is dedicated to safety issues, including emergency contacts, laws and safety in Australia, home security, personal safety, public transport safety, home, fire safety and beach safety.

    The Rainbow Guide is downloadable here. Click the 'Student Education Project' on the homepage or the tab on the right menu.

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    NCVER update - Teaching practices reviewed in new reports

    Revealing research on innovative teaching practices and motivators, both locally and internationally, has been released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) in the form of two reports.

    The first by Jane Figgis, explores Australian teaching practices and the dynamics of change.

    The second report by Yvonne Hillier, focuses on international teaching and learning practices and the culture of support necessary for change.

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    Call for papers - Australian International Education Conference 2009

    Contributions are now being called for by organisers of the Australian International Education Conference 2009, to be held 13 - 16 October 2009 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.

    The Conference theme is 'Transitions and Transformations'. It will examine the international education industry's state of transition and the likely impact of these changes.

    Conference organisers are seeking submissions addressing areas including policy and research, the student experience, translation education, student mobility, marketing and recruitment, teaching and learning, and people and professional development.

    Call for sessions are now open and final submissions closes on 17 April 2009. For more information and guidelines, please visit http://www.aiec.idp.com/

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    Skills Recognition Conference - registrations open

    The NSW Department of Education and Training has opened registrations for the Skills Recognition Conference to be held 25 - 26 May at the Australian Technology Park, Sydney.

    The Conference will focus on assessing skills in a rapidly changing environment and looking at critical factors for successful recognition.

    Click here for more information or to register.

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    Diary Dates

    COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH INDUSTRY SKILLS COUNCIL
    New CHC08 Training Package Implementation Forums
    DATE: March and April
    LOCATION: Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane
    DETAILS: A series of one-day forums will be facilitated around the country to support the implementation of the new Community Services Training Package. For information on each forum, click here.
    SKILLING FOR THE FUTURE CONGRESSS
    The importance of skilling Australians during the a global economic downturn
    DATE: 1-3 April 2009
    LOCATION: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
    DETAILS: For more information click here.
    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS CAREER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
    National Career Conference
    DATE: 15-17 April 2009
    LOCATION: Grand Hyatt, Melbourne
    DETAILS: For more information click here.
    AVETRA
    12th Annual Conference
    DATE: 16-17 April 2009
    LOCATION: Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach Hotel, Sydney
    DETAILS: For more information, click here
    VICTORIAN TAFE ASSOCIATION
    State Conference 2009, 'Delivering Success in a Contestable Future'
    DATE: 7-8 May 2009
    LOCATION: Victoria University Convention Centre
    DETAILS: For more information click here
    NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
    Skills Recognition Conference
    DATE: 25-26 May 2009
    LOCATION: Australian Technology Park, Sydney
    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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