Newsletter: 15 June 2009

    International student safety high priority for Ministerial Councils

    The safety of International students was the subject of the latest meeting of the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs and the Ministerial Council for Vocational & Technical Education.

    A joint statement was released following the meeting condemning violence against international students and announcing that representatives will work together to enhance the international student experience.

    The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, has welcomed the collaboration of the Ministers to address the issue. Click here to view the statement.

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    Ministerial changes in Education and Employment portfolio

    Two new additions to the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio has been announced by the Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP.

    Replacing former Minister the Hon. Brendan O’Conner as Minister for Employment Participation, is former NSW ALP General Secretary, Senator Mark Arbib. Member for Blaxland, NSW, the Hon. Jason Clare MP, has been announced as the new Parliamentary Secretary for Employment.

    The Hon. Kate Ellis MP, has had her portfolio responsibilities expanded to Minister for Early Childhood Education, Childcare and Youth, and Minister for Sport.

    To view more information about the changes click here.

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    Innovation in the service industry

    The Minister for Innovation, Industry Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr made an address to the Australian Services Roundtable about the government’s investment in projects to help innovate the service industry.

    Senator Carr outlined the importance of the services industry to the Australian economy, and the opportunities present for the industry through the $8.6 billion allocated to innovation and research in the Federal Budget. Click here to view the address.

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    Update from US – role of community colleges in America’s prosperity

    It has been just over 12 months since TDA led its first mission to USA and Canada to explore possible partnerships and to benchmark innovation from both the Canadian and US systems.

    This week a new paper was released titled: A Blueprint for America’s Prosperity Transforming America’s Community Colleges: A Federal Policy Proposal to Expand Opportunity and Promote Economic Prosperity.

    The paper suggests that in order to renew America’s status as the world’s leader in college attainment, the federal government needs to transform America’s community colleges and equip them for the 21st century. Read more here.

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    New reports target trends in student transfers and mature workers

    Student transfers and older workers are the subjects of two new ‘At A Glance’ research overviews from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).

    Student transfer between the vocational education and training (VET) and higher education sectors looks at the trends in student transfers including the reasons and barriers for change. Click here to access the paper.

    Older workers and vocational education and training: At A Glance looks at how to keep older workers employed to reduce the risks of an aging population such as too few workers to support the entire population. Click here to access the paper.

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    AUSTAFE leadership awards – nominations open

    Nominations for the AUSTAFE Leadership Awards are now open to AUSTAFE members. The two categories include:

    Nominations close 30 June. Forms can be found on the AUSTAFE website.

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    Community Services and Health Convention

    Early registrations are open for the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (CS&H ISC) 2009 Convention ‘Making a Difference’.

    The convention will be an opportunity to discuss the importance of maintaining the caring focus of the workforce in aged care and how it can improve through innovation. It will feature local and international speakers on topics including workforce evolution, leading change, innovative uses of technology and integrated service delivery.

    For more information click here. Or to register click here.

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    Diary Dates

    LH MARTIN INSTITUTE
    Professional Development for Leaders in Tertiary Education

    DATE: 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.

    COMMUNITY SERVICES & HEALTH ISC
    Making a Difference...2009 – Excellence, Inspiration, Action

    DATE: 21 October, 2009
    LOCATION: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
    DETAILS: Click here for more information.

    COMMUNITY SERVICES & HEALTH ISC
    National Accolades for Excellence Gala Presentation Dinner

    DATE: 21 October, 2009
    LOCATION: Crown Towers
    DETAILS: Click here for more information.

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

    DATE: 5 November, 2009
    LOCATION: Dockside Convention Centre, Darling Harbour Sydney
    DETAILS: For more information, click here

    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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