Newsletter: 28 September 2009

    Baird releases issues paper on international student support

    Colleges could be regulated for the number of international students they enroll, and the concentration of students from individual countries, according to an issues paper released as part of the Baird Review into the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000.

    The paper outlines the key factors impacting on the education and experiences of international students in Australia. It raises the issue that too many students from one country in a college could undermine the students' informal international experience by limiting diversity.

    The Hon Bruce Baird, head the review and former parliamentarian, has called for submissions in response to the paper including examples of successes and failures of the system.

    To view the issues paper and for information about the review, click here. The due date for submissions is 30 October. The results of the review are expected in early 2010.

    The TDA Board's International Committee will meet with Mr Baird later this month.

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    Brumby announces action plan for international education

    Victorian Premier, John Brumby, has announced a five-year, $14 million plan to maintain the reputation of the international education industry in Victoria.

    Thinking Global: Victoria's Action Plan for International Education (click here) will boost the network of overseas Education Service Managers, increase support services in Australia, and fund ongoing auditing programs to ensure the quality of providers. It also includes a commitment to support education providers, including TAFE Institutes, that offer education courses overseas.   Read more about the initiative here.

    Mr Brumby has recently returned from a trip to India to promote the quality of Victorian education to international students. To read more click here.

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    Reminder - Deloitte survey closes Friday - last chance to participate

    TDA is calling for members to partner with Deloittes in a survey. Only five Members have agreed to participate in the survey to date and there needs to be at least 15 participants to make it a viable exercise.

    At the TDA09 National Conference, the head of Deloitte's Consulting practice, Gerhard Vorster gave a presentation to delegates on 'Making Choices'. This included an impact and capability diagnostic for the VET sector developed by Deloitte that was distributed in booklet form. (TDA can organise to make additional copies of the booklet available - contact pamcaven@bigpond.com)

    Members have the opportunity to rate the impact and capability of the twelve value management levers used in this diagnostic via an anonymous online survey which will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The survey closes this Friday, 2 October.

    This is a great opportunity for TAFE Directors to receive an analysis from one of Australia's leading management consulting firms of how the sector collectively views the key challenges faced, with an assessment of the impacts and the sector's ability to deal with them. TDA expects to publish the results in a future TDA newsletter.

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    Endeavour 2010 nominations open

    The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has opened nominations for the 2010 Round of the Endeavour VET Outbound Mobility Program.

    The program aims to increase opportunities for VET students to engage in study and work opportunities overseas including study tours, intensive language courses, internships, volunteer work, and exchange programs.

    Registered Training Organisations are urged to submit a project that involves the outbound mobility of students undertaking courses leading to the award of a Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Vocational Graduate Certificate or Vocational Graduate Diploma.

    Click here for more information.

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    Tender Opportunity - Development of qualifications framework for Singapore

    Members are invited to enter an Austrade Tender for: the Provision of Consultancy Service for the Development of Business Management Workforce Skills Qualifications Framework for the Singapore Workforce Development Agency.

    The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) coordinates the national continuing education and training efforts, and manages the development of the workforce development infrastructure.

    WDA, in consultation with key industry players, is proposing the development of a framework for leaders and managers in Singapore. The framework will underpin competency development and enable leaders and managers to have greater access to quality training for skills upgrading.  For more information click here. The closing date is 21 October.

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    Vocational Education Summit - discount registration for TDA members

    Members are invited to register for the Vocational Education Summit, to be held at Rydges Melbourne, 26-27 November. TDA is a sponsor for the event.

    The Summit will feature presentations and discussions on issues including the implications of the Bradley Review, the future of international education in Australia, VET sector autonomy, multi-sector Institutions and regional education. View the program here.

    TDA members can register with a 10% discount by completing the attached registration form.

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    DPM to address international education conference

    This year's Australian International Education Conference (AIEC 2009), to be held in Sydney 13-16 October, will feature an address by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP. To view highlights of Conference click here.

    The Conference titled 'Transitions and Transformations' will also include two VET-specific workshops: 'VET Business Intelligence: Using the Data' (presented by Melissa Banks), and 'Preparing a VET Institutional Strategy' (Rebecca Biazos and Rob Parsonson). Click here to view session information.

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    Research begun on internal teacher training in VET

    NCVER is currently studying the range of approaches being used for initial teacher training in the public and private VET sector.  In particular the project will document the range of formal courses offered by both VET and higher education providers, their content, take up and use.

    This study is part of a comprehensive program of research. Other work includes the review of the Training and Assessment Training Package (TAA04) and work to understand how well the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment adds value to practitioners' skills in training and assessment.

    For further information about this project or to contact the researchers click here.

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    Private college fights to remain open

    A private college featured on the ABC Four Corners program on international students has launched an appeal against the NSW Government's attempt to revoke its license.

    According to The Australian, the Sydney-based hospitality college Austech Institute of Further Education - one of the fastest growing businesses in Australia during 2008 - had its registration cancelled, however this is currently on hold due to the appeal.  Read the article here.

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    Diary Dates

    AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE
    Transitions and Transformations

    DATE:

    13-16 October, 2009

    LOCATION:

    Sydney Conference Centre

    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
    VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SUMMIT

    DATE:

    26-27 November 2009

    LOCATION:

    Rydges Melbourne

    DETAILS:

    Click here for more information

     

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