Newsletter: 29 June 2009
- Innovation in Indigenous education - case studies in TAFE
- Senate inquiry into international education
- Apprentice bullying under the spotlight
- Skillaroos receive team uniform
- Chilean visit paves way for scholarship program
- Licensing of trades eased in NSW
- Policy forum – young people finding their way in a new era
- Diary Dates
To find out more about the TDA09 Conference click here
Innovation in Indigenous education – case studies in TAFE
A selection of case studies of innovative pedagogy and practice in indigenous vocational education has been launched in an Occasional Paper by TAFE Directors Australia.
Nine TDA member Institutes contributed to the Paper which explores best practice in indigenous education. The Paper was built on earlier research under an Australian Government funded ‘Indigenous Charter’ project.
It was designed to share best practice in learning and practice across TAFE Institutes, with a focus on innovation.
Martin Riordan (CEO, TDA) has congratulated the Institutes that contributed. The Paper will be circulated to Commonwealth, State and Territory stakeholders.
Senate Inquiry into international education
The terms of reference for the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee inquiry into international student safety have been set, with a report due from the Committee by 16 November.
The Terms include:
- The roles and responsibilities of education providers, migration and education agents, state and federal governments, and relevant departments and embassies, in ensuring the quality and adequacy in information, advice, service delivery and support
- The identification of quality benchmarks and controls for service, advice and support for international students studying at an Australian education institution
The National Board of TDA meets this week in Perth. It is expected to further discuss support measures and policy input regarding international students as well as concerns about private colleges and transparency in the student and agent marketplace.
For more information click here.
Apprentice bullying under the spotlight
The death of a 16 year-old NSW State Rail apprentice, from excessive bullying has prompted the Federal Government to bring the issue to the attention of state departments.
A NSW inquiry into the bullying of children and young people has broadened its terms to include the bullying of apprentices and trainees.
DEEWR is currently undertaking discussions with all state and territory governments to determine appropriate solutions to the issue.
Read an article in the Sydney Morning Herald here.
Skillaroos receive their team uniform
The Australian WorldSkills team, the Skilllaroos, have been presented their team uniforms by the Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mark Arbib.
The presentation was made during their final training sessions before the International competition gets underway in Canada during September. The team is made up of 26 apprentices and trainees under the age of 23; they will compete in fields including refrigeration, cookery, plumbing, IT and hairdressing.
TDA wishes all participants well during their preparation.
See a media release from Senator Arbib here.
Chilean visit paves way for scholarship program
TDA hosted Chile’s government department, BECAs Chile, and its representatives Trinidad Artiza, Program Analyst BECAS Chile and Victor Orsono, Sub Director BECAS Chile, in Canberra last week.
The representatives met with Australian TAFE Institute executives registered to participate in BECAs Chile Technical Scholarships. The scholarships will be offered to Chilean students in 2010 for 12 month educational visits to Australia.
The delegation briefing was held at Canberra Institute of Technology, with Martin Riordan (CEO, TDA) and Rebecca Biazos (Director, International Engagement) hosting the visit.
The Republic of Chile contracted the Group of Eight, Universities Australia and TDA to host scholarship students to Australia, as part of a Bicentennial Fund to encourage bilingual and further technical and skills education for Chilean students. Destination options for the Chilean students include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, California, Spain and Mexico.
Licensing of trades eased in NSW
The NSW Government is considering a plan to ease licensing requirements for tradespeople including pre-purchase property inspectors, kit-home suppliers, lift mechanics and floor finishers.
The planned changes are documented in a NSW Better Regulation Office report titled: ‘Licensing of Selected Occupations’.
The easing of the restrictions are said to strip consumers of protection. Click here to read the NSW Government report.
Policy forum - young people finding their way in a new era
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) will present a policy forum in November focusing on youth transitions and featuring a lunch address by The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Childcare and Youth and Minister for Sport.
The event, to be held in Melbourne, 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.
To register for further information click here.
Diary Dates
LH MARTIN INSTITUTE
Professional Development for Leaders in Tertiary Education
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DATE: |
26-30 July, Melbourne - Research Leadership Program |
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DETAILS: |
For more information click here. |
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH (NCVER)
18th NCVER Conference: ‘No Frills’
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DATE: |
8-10 July 2009 |
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LOCATION: |
University of Ballarat, Mt Helen Campus |
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DETAILS: |
For more information click here. |
TERTIARY STUDIES EXPO
TSXPO
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DATE: |
18-19 July 2009 |
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LOCATION: |
RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane |
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DETAILS: |
For more information, click here |
TAFESA REGIONAL
Biannual TRIC Conference
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DATE: |
5-7 August 2009 |
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LOCATION: |
Port Lincoln, SA |
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DETAILS: |
For more information, click here |
2009 AUSTAFE Conference
Network knowledge future: the only edge you need
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DATE: |
2-4 September 2009 |
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LOCATION: |
Peppers Pier Resort, Hervey Bay Queensland |
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DETAILS: |
Click here for more information |
TDA09 - The 2009 conference and strategic review for TDA members and associates Hosted by TDA
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DATE: |
3-4 September 2009 |
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LOCATION: |
Holiday Inn, Gold Coast |
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DETAILS: |
Click here for more information. |
COMMUNITY SERVICES & HEALTH ISC
Making a Difference...2009 – Excellence, Inspiration, Action
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DATE: |
21 October, 2009 |
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LOCATION: |
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre |
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DETAILS: |
Click here for more information. |
COMMUNITY SERVICES & HEALTH ISC
National Accolades for Excellence Gala Presentation Dinner
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DATE: |
21 October, 2009 |
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LOCATION: |
Crown Towers |
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DETAILS: |
Click here for more information. |
COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH INDUSTRY SKILLS COUNCIL
Mind the Gen Gap – Working together to meet workforce challenges
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DATE: |
5 November, 2009 |
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LOCATION: |
Dockside Convention Centre, Darling Harbour Sydney |
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DETAILS: |
For more information, click here |
AUSTRALIAN TRAINING MARKETING CONFERENCE 2009
Connect, engage, captivate - hosted by Australian Training Marketing
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DATE: |
11- 13 November 2009 |
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LOCATION: |
Ultimo TAFE, Sydney |
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DETAILS: |
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
3rd National Conference for Enabling Education
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DATE: |
25-27 November 2009 |
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LOCATION: |
Toowoomba Queensland |
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DETAILS: |
Click here for more information |
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