Newsletter: 6 July 2009

    TDA outlines measures to support international students

    TAFE Directors Australia has issued a Board Communiqué urging Federal, State and Territory leaders to agree to tightened licensing and quality of VET providers, to support last week’s Darwin COAG International Student Strategy announcement. Read the Prime Minister’s media release here.

    In its response to recent international student issues, and the COAG announcement, TDA proposed a six-point plan – each are aimed at strengthening the quality of the experience of international students while in Australia. The plan includes:

    1. A national register of quality education providers
    2. An overhaul of visa processing
    3. An extension of the Education Investment Fund to improve student housing
    4. An extension of travel concessions to include international students
    5. More productive partnerships between law enforcement and immigration authorities, and education providers
    6. The addition of education providers to taskforces and agencies

    View the TDA Communiqué detailing the plan here.

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    Also on COAG ... retrenched workers initiative

    Following the COAG meeting, the Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, announced a new Compact with Retrenched Workers that will offer 124,000 retrenched workers the opportunity to participate in vocational education and training while searching for a job.

    Retrenched workers aged over 25 will be entitled to a government-subsidised training place from July 1.

    To view the COAG Communiqué click here.

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    Perth Board meeting – AQFC Pathways, EIF Briefing, and Communiqué key issues

    The Board of TAFE Directors Australia met at Swan TAFE, in Perth last week, and hosted the WA Minister for Training, the Hon. Peter Collier MP, at a hospitality students’ dinner. Also attending was Robert Player, Deputy Director-General, DETWA, and himself a former TAFE director. To view more photos of the event click here.

    Perth Board Meeting

    Left to Right: Robert Player (Deputy Director General, DETWA), Michelle Hoad (General Manger, Swan TAFE), Hon Peter Collier (Minister for Training), Deb Daly (Chair TDA), Wayne Collyer (Managing Director, Swan TAFE), Sue Slavin (Managing Director, West Coast TAFE) and Martin Riordan (CEO TDA)

    The TDA Board meeting included three key developments for TAFE Institutes:

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    Delegation heads to India to promote Australian education

    Australian government, state and education officials will visit India this week to promote Australia as a high quality study destination for Indian students.

    The delegation will include police officials, and for TDA, executives from DET International and RMIT will be part of the 10-member Mission.

    The trip follows a visit from Indian journalists to Australia as part of an effort to address the poor publicity surrounding international students in Australia.

    Read more here.

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    Seminar – changing aspects of the Victorian VET system

    The LH Martin Institute is holding a single day seminar titled: ‘The changing VET system: Implications for Victorian TAFE’, 29 July in Melbourne.

    The Seminar is designed to assist leaders, managers, teachers and administrative staff, and enhance their understanding of the VET landscape. It will also introduce issues and debates that are directly impacting on TAFE operations and planning.

    For more information click here or contact Anna Steer on 03 8344 3157 or asteer@unimelb.edu.au. To view other LH Martin Institute programs visit: www.mihelm.unimelb.edu.au.

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    $900 million VET FEE-HELP loans roll-out in Victoria

    From 1 July, VET FEE-HELP, the income contingent loan scheme that supports students studying diploma, advanced diploma, vocational graduate certificate and vocational graduate diploma qualifications, has been extended to subsidised diploma and advanced diploma students in Victoria.

    Nationally,VET FEE-HELPis expected to assistmore than200,000 equivalent full-time students during the next four years through loans totalling more than $900m.

    As at 3 July, 27 TAFE institutes are eligible to offer VET FEE-HELP assistance. Information on VET FEE-HELP including a list of approved VET providers can be found at www.deewr.gov.au/vetfeehelp.

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    New trade agreement with New Zealand and Pacific Islands

    The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is calling for public submissions and comments on a prospective trade and economic agreement between Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island countries.

    The agreement is known as PACER Plus and is aimed at strengthening Pacific Island countries’ ability to trade.


    Interested parties are invited to lodge submissions by 31 July. For further details, including guidance on preparing submissions, click here or call 02 6261 1248.

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    India, China lead international student numbers in Australian VET

    VET was the fastest growing sector in overseas student enrolments and commencements according the new Australian Education International data which compared year-to-date May 2009 data with the same period in 2008.

    The VET sector grew almost 41% in enrolments and approximately 34% in commencements. India and China remain the two largest markets in the sector. To view the results click here.

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    Increased language requirements for migrants

    Tradespeople applying to live and work in Australia permanently are now required to have higher English language skills to receive entry to Australia. The changes began July 1.

    Those applying for General Skilled Migration will have to pass tougher tests to demonstrate competent English.

    For more information click here.

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    Diary Dates

    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
    LH MARTIN INSTITUTE
    Professional Development for Leaders in Tertiary Education

    DATE:

    26-30 July, Melbourne - Research Leadership Program

    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
    NATIONAL CENTRE FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH (NCVER)
    Young people: finding their way in a new era

    DATE:

    10 November 2009

    LOCATION:

    Melbourne Park Function Centre, Melbourne

    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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