Newsletter: 26 October 2009

    Green Skills agenda - Inclusion of green skills in training confirmed for March

    The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, has announced that relevant green skills will be included in all apprenticeships and vocational education training packages by March, and all other courses by the end of 2010.

    The announcement was made at the National Green Skills Forum which brought together 100 stakeholders, including TDA with several Institute directors, along with business and education leaders.

    The Forum also considered the draft National Green Skills Agreement which will oversee the integration of green skills into training.

    To view Ms Gillard’s address click here. To view a picture gallery of attendance, click here.

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    Responses sought to Skills Australia papers

    Skills Australia has released two Workforce Futures papers that will form the basis for an Australian Workforce Development Strategy to be released later in 2009.

    In Background Paper 1 Skills Australia says it “recognises that education providers such as universities and vocational education providers already gather effective data and intelligence that sit inside broader-brush analysis”.

    TDA is calling for Institutes to provide their perspectives on how Skills Australia’s planning proposals may assist in defining the demand for skills. Comments will be included in TDA’s response to the papers.

    Skills Australia’s approach to conceptualising workforce development encompasses three interrelated elements:

    Please forward comments to pamcaven@bigpond.com by 2 November. Written submissions to Skills Australia close 6 November 2009.

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    Request from AEl for survey participation

    Australian Education International invites TDA members to participate in the Australian component of an international survey on articulation.

    The purpose of the research is to determine the current model of articulation both domestically and internationally, and the level of interest in developing articulation agreements with institutions in the US and Canada.

    The survey takes no more than 20 minutes to complete and can be accessed here. The deadline is 3 November.

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    Crackdown on issuing student visas

    TDA has issued a communique highlighting the negative impact of recently reported crack-downs on the issuing of international student visas offshore.

    The communiqué resulted from a meeting of the Australian TAFE International Network on 13 October. It has been sent to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, the Minister for Employment, Education and Workplace Relations, The Hon Julia Gillard and their respective Departmental Secretaries.

    Members are encouraged to inform TDA of any further developments or impacts on the processing of applications to study in an Australian TAFE institute. Members can contact Peter Holden, the new Director for International and Business Development on 02 9217 3181 or 0405 081 780.

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    New research on the impact of technology on education

    Students believe technology is a vital learning aid according to new research undertaken by the University of Canberra and launched by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP.

    ‘Listening to Students’ and Educators’ Voices: Research Findings’ pooled the views of more than 1,000 primary, secondary, university and VET students about the impact information and communication technologies have on learning.

    It also found that technology increases the ability for tailored learning and has a positive impact on motivation.

    For the full list of results click here.

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    Application tips for 2010 Endeavour nominations

    The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has released tips for those entering to 2010 Round of the Endeavour VET Outbound Mobility Program.

    The 10 tips for preparing an application can be accessed here.

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    Risks and challenges for youth – new research

    One in four young people are living with mental illness according to a new report on the state of young people in Australia.

    The report, ‘The State of Australia’s Young People: a report on the social, economic, health and family lives of young people’ was launched by the Minister for Youth, the Hon Kate Ellis MP.

    It finds:

    To access the full report click here.

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    Opportunity to help with international student research

    Griffith, Southern Cross and Victoria universities have won a Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre grant to look at the international student tourism behaviour whilst studying in Australia.

    The project focuses on international students studying in the VET (both TAFE and private providers) English language and higher education sectors. It will deliver insights into the capacity for Australia’s tourism industry to engage with this major potential market.

    The group is seeking assistance to distribute a web-based survey to international students. There will be a prize draw of 13 Coles-Myer vouchers to the value of $3,000 for students who participate in the survey.

    To participate please contact the research coordinator, Sarah Gardiner, at s.gardiner@griffith.edu.au.

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    PM invites young people to have their say

    The Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, and Minister for Youth, the Hon Kate Ellis MP, have invited young people to participate in events including a live interactive webcast on 12 November to share their ideas for the Government’s National Strategy for Young Australians.

    Young people will be able to have their say through online events, local and national forums and face-to-face discussions. For more information click here.

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    New VET appointment at Charles Darwin University

    The Managing Director of Pilbara TAFE, Dr Barry McKnight has been announced as the new pro vice-chancellor, VET, at Charles Darwin University.

    Dr McKnight will commence the position in November. He has previously worked at the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE, the Central Coast TAFE and the Hunter Institute of TAFE. TDA congratulates Barry on his new role.

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    First free dental health workforce forum

    The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (CS&H ISC) is calling for papers for the first Oral Health Workforce Forum, ‘Skilling up for Oral Health’ to be held in Adelaide, 2 December.

    Themes to be discussed include:

    Abstracts are due by 6 November. To submit an abstract click here. For more information about this free event click here, or to register click here.

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    Historical service industry trade talks

    Vice-president of the Australian Services Round Table, Peter Bartlett, recently attended an historic meeting of six trade ministers, including Australian Minister for Trade, the Hon Simon Crean MP, and 400 members of the service sector in Washington aimed at improving the profile of the service sector and reducing barriers to trade.

    Mr Bartlett wrote an interesting article about the meeting in last week’s The Age. To view the article click here.

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    Diary Dates

    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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