Newsletter: 25 May 2009

    Better harmonisation needed between sectors says Gillard

    The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP has made her post-budget speech at Melbourne Town Hall event hosted by the Office of Knowledge Capital and the Committee for Melbourne, promising better integration between TAFE and Higher Education and more targeted student income support.

    "VET and university systems must evolve, they must learn to speak to each other, recognise qualifications and provide easy-to-navigate pathways between themselves and the world of work.

    "Greater strategic planning capability is now being put in place that will allow this greater harmonisation, including a single Ministerial Council and relevant changes to the Australian Qualifications Council and Skills Australia".

    TDA's Director, Stakeholder Engagement, Pam Caven, attended the event. To view the Deputy Prime Minister's speech click here. For more information about the student income support changes click here.

    [Return to Top]

    Skills Australia seeking TAFE Directors' input into workforce initiatives

    Skills Australia is interested in information from TAFE institutes about current projects and initiatives relating to workforce development strategies. View letter here.

    At this stage, Skills Australia is seeking one to two paragraphs from TAFE institutes relating to programs/initiatives, have national relevance and could be replicated in other parts of the country. Institutes should also provide a contact for possible follow up.

    TDA has negotiated with Skills Australia for an extension of the submission date. Members are invited to send their projects/initiatives to pamcaven@bigpond.com by Friday 5 June 2009.

    [Return to Top]

    Integration of ATCs into NSW schools and TAFEs

    Four Australian Technical Colleges (ATCs) will be integrated into the NSW education and training system, as announced by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, and NSW Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Verity Firth MP.

    Central Coast, Central Western NSW, Illawarra and Queanbeyan Australian Technical Colleges will fold into schools and local TAFE Institutes.

    To view the announcement click here.

    [Return to Top]

    'TDA09' - Call for Papers

    TAFE Directors has called for papers for its 2009 National Conference, to be held 3-4 September 2009, hosted by Gold Coast Institute of TAFE, Queensland. Sector leadership are invited to nominate ideas for contributions and presentations to Pam Caven, Director, Stakeholder Engagement, TDA.

    Early bookings are also open.

    The 'TDA09 Recession, Restructure, Retraining - Skills for Australia's Emergence from the Global Financial Crisis' conference will be a strategic event, with a special dinner on Thursday, 3 September.

    TDA09 is a member and associate-only event, designed as an opportunity for targeted networking, policy debate and strategic planning. It will focus on topics including funding, quality, greens skills, international engagement and one tertiary sector.

    [Return to Top]

    GippsTAFE to provide skills for National Broadband Network

    Central Gippsland Institute of TAFE (GippsTAFE) has received $16 million to facilitate the training of workers to build the Federal Government's $43 billion National Broadband Network.

    The Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP announced that GippsTAFE will be one in a series of providers that will supply some of the expected 25,000 jobs annually for the project.

    To view the announcement click here.

    [Return to Top]

    What's in it for youth?

    Minister for Youth and Sport, the Hon Kate Ellis has delivered the first online youth Budget statement In It For Youth? A quick guide to youth budget and other relevant measures 2009.

    To view the online video, as well as a video by Treasurer, the Hon Wayne Swan click here.

    [Return to Top]

    Seeking feedback - Australia Qualifications Framework

    The Australian Qualifications Framework Council is seeking feedback on a proposal for strengthening the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

    Strengthening the AQF: a proposal outlines measures to enhance the objectives of the AQF and create a more contemporary AQF architecture.

    The consultation document can be accessed here and the consultation period will conclude on 12 June 2009. Meetings with the consultation panel will be held from 28 May to 10 June, for more information click here.

    [Return to Top]

    Third round of funding open for infrastructure package

    Applications are open for the third instalment of funding under the Rudd Government's $500 million Teaching and Learning Capital Fund for Vocational Education and Training.

    The $100 million Investing in Community Education and Training program will allow not-for-profit community education and training providers to develop or upgrade infrastructure, plant and equipment to maximise community education and training delivery. Click here for the announcement.

    [Return to Top]

    Reminder - APEC Women Leaders Network meeting

    There are limited places remaining on the TDA mission to Singapore to participate in the APEC Women Leaders Network. Don't miss this opportunity to network with leading female executives from government and industry across the Asia Pacific region.

    This year's theme "Women and Sustainable Development in APEC" is in line with APEC 2009's theme of sustaining growth and connecting the region. As our TAFE institutes continue their engagement across the region - forums such as this offer an excellent networking and development opportunity for members.

    TDA has also arranged with Australian Education International and Austrade in Singapore an additional program of business and partnership meetings with key local institutions.

    To register your interest contact Rebecca Biazos Director International Engagement (0407 550 180). Final confirmation is due 30 May 2009.

    [Return to Top]

    Calling all emerging leaders

    The second Emerging Pacific Leaders' Dialogue (EPLD) is scheduled to take place in Tonga, Samoa and other selected Asia-Pacific locations from 11 to 23 March 2010.

    EPLD 2010 will bring together 120 mid-career participants from more than 20 Pacific regions. Applicants will be drawn from business, government, trade unions and the community service sector including educational institutions and NGO's.

    Further information on this important leadership initiative is available on the EPLD web site at www.epld2.com. Applications close on Friday 17 July 2009.

    [Return to Top]

    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.

    [Return to Top]

    Diary Dates

    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.
    LH MARTIN INSTITUTE
    Professional Development for Leaders in Tertiary Education
    15-19 June, Canberra - Women in Leadership
    26-30 July, Melbourne - Research Leadership Program
    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
    TERTIARY STUDIES EXPO
    TSXPO
    DATE: 18-19 July 2009
    LOCATION: RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane
    DETAILS: For more information click here.
    TDA09 - The 2009 conference and strategic review for TDA members and associates
    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

    [Return to Top]

    To subscribe or unsubscribe to the TDA Newsletter click here.