Newsletter: 20 April 2009

    New Skills Australia paper - TDA member responses welcome

    Skills Australia has released a position paper for consultation titled Foundations for the Future, which builds on its 2008 paper: 'Future Governance arrangements for the National Training System'.

    The paper proposes a more streamlined and integrated governance model for the tertiary sector to better respond to Australia's skill needs in a rapidly changing global context.

    Click here to access the paper.

    This latest discussion paper takes into account industry responses arising from the 2008 paper, including TDA's response which incorporated contributions from a number of members.

    TDA again invites members to contribute to the development of a TDA response by providing their comments to Pam Caven, Director Stakeholder Engagement. The TDA Board will consider TDA's response at its Board meeting on 7 May so please respond by 1 May 2009.

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    Deputy Prime Minister to attend roundtable with TAFE Directors

    The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP, will attend a roundtable meeting with TAFE Directors to be held 11am to 12 noon, on 7 May at the Victoria University. All TAFE Director members and associates are invited to attend.

    The roundtable will be held directly after the Annual General Meeting of TAFE Directors Australia, beginning 9.00am at Victoria University, Flinders Street (L12, Function Room 4), Melbourne. Both events will precede the Victorian TAFE Association Conference to be held on 8 May.

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    Melbourne TDA luncheon invitation

    TAFE Institute executives are invited to a TDA-sponsored luncheon in Melbourne, with guest Philip Clark AM, ahead of his keynote address to the 2009 Victorian TAFE Association Conference. Mr Clark is Chair of the recently announced Education Investment Fund Advisory Board.

    The luncheon, will take place as part of the VTA Conference, on Friday 8 May 2008, at Victoria University, Melbourne.

    Mr Clark's address will be a highlight for TAFE executives, as Institutes look to opportunities for TAFE Institute participation in the $11 billion Education Investment Fund. The VTA Conference is also recommended, as it will feature news about Victorian-led changes in contestable funding, along with details of VTA-commissioned research into TAFE branding. Click here to book.

    Philip Clark, AM

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    Government spending on education - figures released

    Expenditure on education by all levels of government increased by $3.6 billion (or seven per cent) during the year 2007-2008, according to new statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

    Total expenditure on education by the Commonwealth Government reached $18.7 billion, with expenditure by the state and local governments totalling $39.6 billion.

    Of the total expenditure on education:

    For more information click here.

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    BIG Skills presentations available

    Speaker presentations from the DEEWR BIG Skills Conference are now available. Presentations include those by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, Chair of Skills Australia, Philip Bullock, Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley AC, Chair of the Review of Australian Higher Education, as well as numerous domestic and international education experts.

    Click here to access the presentations.

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    Deputy Prime Minister opens awards for outstanding employers

    Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP, has opened nominations for the 2009 Minister's Awards for Excellence for the Employers of Australian Apprenticeships award category.

    The awards are divided into three categories:

    For more information click here.

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    Community college leader gets key US administration role

    The White House has announced President Obama's nomination for Under Secretary of Education, Ms Martha Kanter. The position is third in line in the Education department and has, in the past, been responsible for post-secondary education. This is the first time the post may go to a Community College official.

    Ms. Kanter has most recently been Chancellor of California's Foothill-De Anza Community College District, one of the most prominent community college districts in the nation.

    Given her background, it is likely Ms. Kanter will play an important role in highlighting the value of community college education, particularly in an economic downturn.

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    Call for papers and registration - NCVER Conference

    The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) is calling for practitioners and researchers to share their research and knowledge at the 18th National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference, 'No Frills', 8-10 July at the University of Ballarat.

    The conference will focus on strategies, observations and proven practices that can influence policy for a better VET system in Australia.

    The call for papers and workshop sessions closes 1 May 2009. For more information click here.

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    New resource for finding Australian educators overseas

    DEEWR has launched AusLIST, a new online service for students to access international institute and course information.

    The AusLIST online directory currently has listed a total of 394 courses across 24 countries. This includes Australian education and training providers, the courses they deliver around the world and the locations outside of Australia where those courses are delivered.

    AusLIST will enable prospective students, their families, overseas governments and other stakeholders to access information about courses offered offshore by Australian institutions.

    Inclusion on AusLIST is voluntary, available as a free service and listing is for a period of two years. For more information click here.

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    Workshop to teach intercultural communication with Indian students

    The International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) is holding a half-day workshop in Melbourne on the 30 April to explore strategies for interacting and communicating with students from Indian backgrounds.

    The workshop will seek to identify issues of concern across the higher education sector in relation to teaching and managing Indian students and explore strategies for managing and resolving these issues.

    Registrations close 23 April. For details or to register click here.

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    Diary Dates

    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
    NATIONAL CENTRE FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH (NCVER)
    18th NCVER Conference: 'No Frills'
    DATE: 8-10 July 2009
    LOCATION: University of Ballarat, Mt Helen Campus
    DETAILS: For more information click here
    LH MARTIN INSTITUTE
    Professional Development for Leaders in Tertiary Education
    DATE: 13-15 May, Melbourne - Heads of Department
    15-19 June, Canberra - Women in Leadership
    26-30 July, Melbourne - Research Leadership Program
    DETAILS: For more information click here
    AUSTRALIA INDIA BUSINESS COUNCIL
    Australia India Business Conference
    DATE: 20 May 2009
    LOCATION: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
    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
    COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH INDUSTRY SKILLS COUNCIL
    Mind the Gen Gap - Working together to meet workforce challenges
    DATE: 2 June 2009
    LOCATION: Dockside Convention Centre, Darling Harbour 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.
    TAFE AUSTRALIA SUMMIT 2009
    A National Summit - Hosted by TDA
    DATE: 3-4 September 2009
    LOCATION: Holiday Inn, Gold Coast
    DETAILS: More information will be available soon.
    UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
    3rd National Conference for Enabling Education
    DATE: 25-27 November 2009
    LOCATION: Toowoomba Queensland
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

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