Newsletter: 19 October 2009

    $100 million to increase apprentice commencements

    The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, and the Minister for Employment Participation, Senator the Hon Mark Arbib MP, have announced a $100 million Apprentice Kickstart program aimed at supporting up to 21,000 people entering traditional trades this summer.

    Under the initiative, the commencement bonus paid to employers will increase from $1,500 to $2,350 and the nine month bonus will rise from $2,500 to $4,850 for taking on an apprentice during the summer recruitment period. Some $20 million of the funds will be allocated to pre-apprenticeship initiatives.

    The announcement coincides with the release of the Keep Australia Working report which showed a 20 per cent drop in trade apprentice commencements during the economic downturn. The report follows the completion of the Keep Australia Working forums held across Australia by Lindsay Fox and Bill Kelty, with the final forum held at Werribee, on the campus of (TDA member) Victoria University, at which Minister Gillard held a press conference .

    Click here to see the announcement. Click here to view the Keep Australia Working report.

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    National Green Skills Agreement underway

    A working group for the National Green Skills Agreement – part of the Government’s Sustainable Skills Package announced in July – met in September to begin the task of integrating green skills into the training system.

    The proposed Agreement will result in:

    TDA was represented at the Working Group meeting by the Manager of the National Centre for Sustainability at Swinburne University of Technology, Dr. Garry McDonald. Read his report on the outcomes of the meeting here.  

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    Leadership in VET workshops

    The LH Martin Institute, in conjunction with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and VET strategist, Dr John Mitchell will be running a series of workshops for VET leaders who are responsible for designing and managing change within their organisation.

    The workshops will examine the role of leadership in the VET sector and draw on fresh findings from a comprehensive national survey of VET leaders, as well as providing an opportunity to network with other leaders and learn about upcoming professional development programs.

    For more information click here.

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    TDA response to qualifications framework paper

    TDA wishes to thank the TAFE Institutes that provided comprehensive and insightful comments on the latest Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Council consultation paper: ‘Strengthening the AQF: An Architecture for Australia’s Qualifications’.

    TDA has sought to reflect these views in its response to the Council which can be accessed here. The AQFC paper built on earlier consultations by the AQFC about a revised structure that would improve student pathways between education sectors and industry, and increase the recognition of Australian qualifications overseas.

     

     

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    Book your place at the Mick Young Oration to be delivered by the Federal Treasurer

    TDA members and industry stakeholders are invited to register to attend the 2009 Mick Young Oration to be delivered by the Treasurer, the Hon Wayne Swan MP, at Parliament House Canberra, 18 November.

    The event, which was last year addressed by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, is a chance to engage with a range of industry leaders, policy makers, officials, Ministers and MPs and Senators.

    Funds raised will go toward the Mick Young Scholarship Trust, which provides scholarships to needy Australians to study in TAFE and vocational education.

    The Oration will be followed by a Parliamentary Dinner. To purchase a ticket to this important evening click here.

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    International Student Job Success – DPM releases new data

    International graduating students are securing jobs at a higher rate than migrants with equal qualification levels who relocate to Australia, according to new data released last week in an Address by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon, Julia Gillard MP.

    The report showed some 85% of students found jobs within six months of completing a course, with higher job success rates than migrants relocating with equivalent skill levels.

    Speaking at the Australian International Education Conference, at Darling Harbour Sydney, the DPM said the data showed a high outcome in employment prospects for international students.

    In further studies, to be released later this year, 80% of students found jobs in the field of their study – either in Australia or when returning to their homeland.

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    Northern Territory follows suit and lifts school-leaving age

    The Northern Territory Government has created a new Bill making it compulsory for students up to 17 years of age to stay at school and complete their school certificate. It follows the introduction of similar legislation in other states to increase the number of students achieving the school certificate.

    For more information click here.

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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

    VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SUMMIT

    DATE:

    26-27 November 2009

    LOCATION:

    Rydges Melbourne

    DETAILS:

    Click here for more information

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