Newsletter: 24 August 2009

    TDA09 National Conference – final week to book your place

    This is the final week to book for the TDA09 National Conference, to be held 3-4 September on the Gold Coast.

    The Conference will feature international keynote speakers from three continents, as well as local tertiary leadership, to highlight perspectives based around two themes: Positioning TAFE to meet the challenges of the global marketplace (Day 1), and ‘One Tertiary’ sector – implications for domestic and international markets (Day 2).

    Click here for full program details and to register. Click here to view extracts from presentations click here.

    The TDA09 International Gala Dinner will feature guest speaker, the Hon Geoff Wilson MP, Queensland Minister for Education and Training, and will be held 3 September, 7pm.

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    DPM announces re-registration for international education providers

    The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard, has announced urgent amendments to the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000, requiring re-registration of all Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) providers by December 2010.

    Ms Gillard insisted when speaking to the amendment Bill that the measures would bring credibility to the marketplace, and are aimed at protecting protect international students.

    Click here for more information.

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    TDA submits response to Senate Inquiry into international student welfare

    Following on from TDA’s Communiqué for strengthening Australia’s international education system, TDA has submitted a response to the Senate Committee Inquiry into the Welfare of International Students. See the submission here.

    Today, the Australian Financial Review reported on the submission by TDA, and key developments on the international student issue.

    The submission tracks concerns raised with Government by TDA about the quality of vocational education, especially private colleges in the international market. TDA sought the Senate Committee to direct that more stringent management of regulations be adhered to in relation to private providers, and included a request that improved differentiation be followed in domestic regulation, and how TAFE Institutes were promoted offshore.

    The Senate Committee will be holding interstate hearings on the matter during September. TDA looks forward to contributing to the hearings.

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    Minister’s employment excellence awards announced

    The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard, announced the winners of the 2009 Minister's Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices at a ceremony last week in Parliament House.

    Employers were recognised in three categories: The Minister’s Award for Commitment to Australian Apprenticeships, The Minister's Award for Support Services Excellence, and The Minister's Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices. Several TAFE Institutes were noted in their collaborative work with the training organisations.

    To view the winners click here.

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    TDA submission on rural and regional education

    TDA has submitted a response to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee outlining the measures needed to create better access to education for rural and regional students.

    View the submission here.

    The submission covers issues including greater support for disadvantaged students including financial support, more basic skills programs, better facilities and community infrastructure, and better education affordability.

    TDA and its rural and regional members are preparing to give evidence to the Committee on September 2, preceding the TDA09 National Conference.

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    International students’ conference to feature VET workshops

    TDA is pleased to advise that the upcoming Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) will include a range of TAFE and VET-specific sessions. The Conference will include a full day of pre-conference worships, on 13 October, covering 14 topics.

    Two key VET workshops have been designed for TAFE institutes and VET sector providers including: ‘VET Business Intelligence: Using the Data’ (presented by Melissa Banks), and ‘Preparing a VET Institutional Strategy’ (Rebecca Biazos and Rob Parsonson). Click here to visit the conference website, or here to view specific VET session information.

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    Reminder – nominations closing soon for Skills for Sustainability award

    Nominations for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) Skills for Sustainability – Educational Institution Award will close 31 August.

    The new Award will recognise an educational provider that has embedded sustainability principles into their work practices. It showcases outstanding achievement in the delivery of qualifications and skills sets through programs, products and nationally recognised training. Click here for more information.

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    Diary Dates

    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.
    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
    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.
    ICTC SOCIETY
    2009 Conference and Trade Exhibition

    DATE:

    27-30 October

    LOCATION:

    Geelong, Victoria 

    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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