Newsletter: 18 May 2009

• DEEWR releases detail on apprenticeship changes and Opposition responds to Budget
• Higher education courses in TAFE - discussion paper
• Voices of youth deliver their findings
• Endeavour Executive Award opportunities for members
• Agriculture scholarship opportunities
• TAFE institute opportunity - assessment services for 457 Visas
• Seminars on changes to Hong Kong education system
• Benchmark research on children's services
• Training and assessment professional development
• Diary Dates

DEEWR release detail on Budget apprenticeship changes and Opposition responds to Budget

DEEWR has issued information relating to Australian Apprenticeships initiatives announced in the Budget. Click here to view the information.

In his Budget reply speech, Leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull, proposed to address obstacles to apprenticeships including small business cash flow and wage costs.

He proposed directing... "a greater proportion of the existing incentives for those who take on an apprentice to the first two years of a traditional trade apprenticeship meaning employers will receive this support when they need it the most".

To view TDA's summary of the Budget announcements click here.

To view TDA's media release click here.

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Higher education courses in TAFE - discussion paper

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has released an issues paper on the development of 'mixed sector' institutions that blur the lines between vocational education and training and higher education. Access the paper, Higher education in TAFE here.

Readers are invited respond to the paper by 1 June. Reponses can be sent to Dr Lisa Wheelahan - l.wheelahan@griffith.edu.au.

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Voice of youth speaks on apprenticeships

A summary report has been released by the 28 young members of the 2008 Australian Apprenticeships Roundtable.

The report features the findings of six working groups on topics including commencements and retention; information and communication; future focus; training and learning; workplace and industrial relations; and youth at risk.

To view the report click here.

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Endeavour Executive Award opportunities for members

(L-R) Rebecca Biazos, TDA, Rifandi Ahmad, and Janelle Chapman, Manager International Southbank Institute of Technology (Qld).

TDA would like to congratulate Rifandi Ahmad, 2009 Endeavour Executive Awardee from Indonesia on reaching a significant milestone in his Australian program.

Rifandi has just completed a three month program with Southbank Institute of Technology (QLD) and will commence with Challenger TAFE (WA) for another four weeks to complete his placement.

Rifandi is a senior member of the staff at POLBAN, one of Indonesia's largest state polytechnics and was nominated for the Executive Award to increase his knowledge and expertise in competency based training and assessment.

Members are invited to make contact with TDA if they are interested in collaborating to support incoming Executive Awardee holders from China, Indonesia and other key markets. Applications for the 2010 program close 31 July 2009.

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Agricultural scholarship opportunities

Scholarships for agricultural students are being offered by the Australian Council of Agricultural Societies with funding from Coca-Cola Amatil.

A total of 34 scholarships worth $2000 each will be awarded each year for five years. They are to support students studying agricultural-related subjects and will be distributed on a state-by-state basis. NSW scholarships have already been presented this year.

Details are available here. Applications close 30 June and can be made online.

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TAFE Institute opportunity - assessment services for 457 visa applicants

As part of changes to the 457 Visa program, Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) has been tasked with progressively introducing formal skills assessment from 1 July 2009 for 457 visa applicants from high risk immigration countries in trade occupations and chefs.

TRA is seeking Expressions of Interest from Australian Registered Training Organisations to provide offshore assessment services for Temporary Worker Visa applicants (subclass 457). For more information click here. Expressions of Interests close on 2 June 2009.

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Seminars to focus on Hong Kong education system

Australian Education International Hong Kong will deliver a series of seminars in Australia in early June to outline and discuss the changes to the Hong Kong education system and its high school qualification.

The seminars will be held in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. See the attached flyer for more information.

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Benchmark research on children's services

A research report looking at Australian children's services, with benchmarks on services in Canada, UK, New Zealand and Sweden, has been released by the Australian Government.

The report, Strategic Assessment of the Children's Services Industry, was commissioned by the Community and Disability Services Ministers' Conference.

The report was prepared by Deborah Brennan, Megan Blaxland and Kathy Tannous of the Social Policy Research Centre at UNSW. It reviews early childhood education and care services; child care access and affordability; the combinations of care currently being used; and the impact of women's labour market participation.

To view the paper, click here.

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Training and assessment professional development

Three new professional development workshops will be offered by Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) in all capital cities during June and July. The workshops include:

• More Ways to Make Training Active Part Two - click here
• High Impact Training - Using team based training to enhance employability skills in learning - click here
• People Strategies For Trainers - Tips and techniques for dealing with diverse and challenging learners - click here

For more information click here.

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Diary Dates

CHINA AUSTRALIA BUSINESS CONGRESS 2009

AUSTRALIA INDIA BUSINESS COUNCIL
Australia India Business Conference

NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Skills Recognition Conference

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH INDUSTRY SKILLS COUNCIL
Mind the Gen Gap - Working together to meet workforce challenges

LH MARTIN INSTITUTE
Professional Development for Leaders in Tertiary Education

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH (NCVER)
18th NCVER Conference: 'No Frills'

TERTIARY STUDIES EXPO
TSXPO

TDA09 - The 2009 conference and strategic review for TDA members and associates
Hosted by TDA

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
3rd National Conference for Enabling Education

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