Newsletter: 10 June 2009

    Australian honours for former TDA Chair, Barry Peddle

    Past Chair of TAFE Directors Australia, Barry Peddle, has been awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding public service in the NSW Public Sector. Barry is Director, South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE NSW and a former board member of WorldSkills Australia. The Medal recognises the strategic leadership roles he has played within TAFE NSW, TDA at a national level, and his recent offshore role for DET International.

    On behalf of everyone at TDA, congratulations Barry Peddle PSM.

    David Endean, Director International Education, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE (VIC) was recognisedwith the Public Service Medal. David was nominated for services to international education, and to TAFE itself. David Endean has kindly represented TDA over many years, especially with an international voice on national policy committees, including immigration rulings and seeking a level playing field with universities across the tertiary international student market. Congratulations David Endean PSM.

    The Australian Honours list also included Alan Grasset, who has had an involvement with WorldSkills Australia since 1983, and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to vocational education and training - particularly in the plumbing industry. Perhaps Alan’s greatest legacy is the pioneering of the Try’aTrade program while working with the Dusseldorp Skills Forum. Congratulations Alan.

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    $200 million Infrastructure grants for TAFE Institutes

    The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, has announced the 60 TAFEs to receive funding to support infrastructure and jobs under the $200 million Better TAFE Facilities program.

    The program aims to modernise and improve the teaching and learning facilities in TAFE and is part of the Rudd Government’s $4.7 billion Nation Building package announced last December.

    To view a list of the TAFEs successful in securing funding click here.

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    VET numbers show positive growth

    The numbers of apprentices and trainees in training increased 3% in the December quarter 2008, compared with the same quarter of the previous year, however cancellations were up 2%, according to National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) statistics.

    As at December 2008, a total of 415,500 students were in training. To view the full report click here.

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    Working to improve the public image of VET

    The long-running review of the public perceptions of ‘VET’ - originally commissioned by the Ministerial Council – has commissioned a Queensland consultancy to focus efforts between the federal and state governments to increase enrolments and retention.

    This work is part of the Joint National Communications Project, and aims to change the way ‘the VET story is told to the community’.

    In April, TDA attended a workshop about the project and further consultations will held throughout June.

    To see an overview of the project click here.

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    VET sector – Trends in international student data

    DEEWR’s international arm, Australian Education International, has release the international student enrolment data showing the continued strength of the Australian VET sector in the international student market.

    VET was again the fastest growing sector, recording almost 41% growth in enrolments and 33% growth in commencements in the four months to April 2009. The number of enrolments from Asia increased almost 45%, the majority coming from China and India. Most recent Indian student enrolments have been in private colleges, especially in Melbourne. TDA has expressed concerns to AEI, about sustainability of these trends.

    For more information click here.

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    Changes to skilled migration

    The Australian skilled migration program will be downsized on July 1 as part of the government’s efforts to match migration numbers with demand.

    Another part of the change includes an increase to the English language requirements for entrants.

    To read more about the changes click here.

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    Policy forum – Young people finding their way in a new era

    The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and DEEWR will present a policy forum in November focusing on youth transitions.

    The event will seek to inform policy makers on how they can improve education outcomes for young people and provide them with skills for the contemporary labour market.

    Those with an interest in youth transitions policy including government, not-for-profit, education, career advisors, peak youth bodies and the social and community sectors are encouraged to attend this event.

    To register for further information email events@ncver.edu.au.

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    Position vacant – Hunter Institute of TAFE

    The Hunter Institute of TAFE has open applications for the following position:

    Faculty Director Business & Computing
    Institute Manager Level 5
    Location: Newcastle Campus

    For more information click here.

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    Diary Dates

    LH MARTIN INSTITUTE
    Professional Development for Leaders in Tertiary Education
    DATE:

    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
    2009 AUSTAFE Conference
    Network knowledge future: the only edge you need
    DATE: 2-4 September 2009
    LOCATION: Peppers Pier Resort, Hervey Bay Queensland
    DETAILS: Click here for more information
    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: Click here for more information.
    AUSTRALIAN TRAINING MARKETING CONFERENCE 2009
    Connect, engage, captivate - hosted by Australian Training Marketing
    DATE: 11- 13 November 2009
    LOCATION: Ultimo TAFE, Sydney
    DETAILS: www.atmaltd.com.au
    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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