Newsletter: 21 September 2009

    TDA UK Mission - confirmed itinerary to UK Colleges and Birmingham Conference

    TDA Members are invited to join the upcoming TDA Mission to UK Colleges and the 2009 UK Birmingham Conference.

    TDA deputy chair, Wayne Collyer, has released an updated UK visit program, with registrations due by 25 September.

    The Mission tour will be hosted by UK Colleges, and has been assisted by CEO-designate of Skills Australia, Robin Shreeve, Principal of Westminster College and formerly of TAFE NSW.   

    To register, please fill out the attached form and fax to TDA - Facsimile 02 9281 7335.

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    Breakfast networking event - International 

    TDA member institutes are invited to attend a breakfast meeting co-sponsored by TAFE Directors Australia and the Community Colleges for International Development (CCID). The breakfast will be held at the IBIS hotel, Sydney, 15 October.

    The CCID has a membership of more than 165 colleges that are much like Australia's TAFE Institutes. For more information about the event click here. There are only 30 places, so book your seat early.

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    International students lay issues on the table

    A one-stop shop for access to international student services is one of the key recommendations out of the International Students Roundtable hosted the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP.

    The Roundtable addressed issues including pre-arrival information and visas, the quality of education, access to services, social integration, fair treatment and the cost of education.

    To view the outcomes of the meeting in an official Communiqué click here.

    Ms Gillard also announced a Good Practice Guide, which details the best performing colleges. A hotline has also been established (1300 363 079) so that students can raise their concerns anonymously.

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    TAFE Institutes dominate in Endeavour grants

    The successful entrants in the 2009 inaugural round of the Endeavour VET Outbound Mobility Program have been announced. The program provides up to $35,000 to each project to deliver a range of international study experiences.

    Of the 11 projects chosen for the program, eight were submitted by TAFE Institutes. Congratulations to William Angliss Institute of TAFE, Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, Central TAFE, Gold Coast Institute of TAFE, Gordon Institute of TAFE, and Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE. 

    For more information click here.

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    Fraudulent students targeted in visa crackdown

    The Department of Immigration and Citizenship is strengthening checks on student visa applications to avoid fraud and ensure that students have the financial capacity to live and study in Australia. Click here for more information.

    Arising from a recent audit of offshore visa agents, the Department has also suspended agents who submitted applications that contained fraudulent documents. A full list of approved agents is available here.

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    Mixed sector education under the spotlight  

    A recently released report by Griffith University researchers argues that differences between universities and TAFEs in perceived status, funding, governing and operation are impeding the growth of mixed-sector TAFE Institutes.

    The study collated the views of industry stakeholders to uncover how these Institutes are reshaping the boundaries in the tertiary sector. It found that TAFEs engaging in the sector will need higher levels of support to ensure their students have the same opportunities as those at university.

    Read the report here.

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    TDA09 National Conference highlights available

    A collation of the most topical and thought provoking issues from TDA09 National Conference, 'Skills for Australia's Emergence from the Global Financial Crisis', is now available.

    Prepared by Ian Colley, it captures the various perspectives that emerged from the presentations, interactive panel discussions, facilitated workshops and audience responses at the Conference, including the challenges facing the VET sector amid the economic recovery.

    To view the outline click here. For presentations, papers and photos from the Conference click here.

    On another note...

    TDA gratefully acknowledges TDA members: RMIT, Victoria University and the Tasmanian Polytechnic for sponsoring Aidan Kenny, international speaker for the 2009 TDA National Conference. The members also hosted Mr Kenny in staff development activities in their institutes.

    He provided valuable insights into his work at the Dublin Institute of Technology and in his role as coordinator UNESCO-UNIVOC for Ireland, especially around issues such as the status of European qualifications frameworks and his work on entrepreneurial skills for apprentices. These issues are of great interest in the current Australian vocational education and training environment.

    Mr Kenny indicated that he was very keen to develop exchange programs between Australia and Ireland and it is anticipated that this initial contact in Australia will result in longer and more enduring relationships.

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    PM Youth blog - young people have their say

    The Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, is participating in a youth blog titled Helping young Australians build their own futures until 25 September.  So far, the blog has had more than 300 comments.

    Click here to view the blog.

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    Wanted - VET stories for international audience

    The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's international broadcast arm, Australia Network, is seeking collaboration with TAFE Institutes to create content on Australian education.

    Australia Network is a 24/7 international television and online media service funded by DFAT and managed by the ABC's International Division.

    TAFE Institutes can communicate with international VET students by co-producing digital video with Australia Network and distributing content and information online, on-air and via web-based mobile devices. For more information click here.

    Currently, Australia Network is offering international students free access to English-language learning content on ABC's iView player.  The attached poster is available for distribution to all TAFE Institutions. Posters are available by contacting miki.pannell@australianetwork.com.

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    Pressure on funds for international student compensation

    Consumer protection funds will need to be boosted to account for the likelihood of further private college collapses according to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu corporate reorganisation group partner, Neil Cussen.

    The Australian reported that Australia's back-up fund used to compensate students who are not found a place at another college after a collapse is being depleted rapidly. To read the full article click here.

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    Productivity Places Program survey

    Service Skills Australia (SSA), the Industry Skills Council for the service industry, is inviting registered training organisations (RTOs) to participate in a survey on the Productivity Places Program (PPP).

    All RTOs participating in the PPP and delivering qualifications in retail, wholesale, community pharmacy, tourism, hairdressing, fitness, outdoor recreation and hospitality are invited to complete the 10 minute survey. Click here to participate.

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    Diary Dates

    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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