Newsletter: 16 November 2009

     

    Treasurer to deliver the Mick Young Oration in Canberra, Wednesday

    The 2009 Mick Young Oration and Parliamentary Dinner to be held this week in Canberra is fast approaching a full house with a wide range of politicians, government officials, industry representatives and TAFE Directors and staff attending.

    The Oration will be delivered by the Federal Treasurer, the Hon Wayne Swan MP, followed by a vote of thanks to be delivered by a past holder of the Mick Young Scholarship, a student video on apprenticeships from TAFE NSW, and an industry presentation from Ian Stone of Advance Metal Products, who has sponsored the event.

    Late bookings can be made until 5pm today.  Click here for the registration form. A full report and photos from the event will be posted on the TDA website.

    The National Board of TDA will hold its November board meeting in Parliament House on Thursday. It will include meetings with senior MPs and Senators, and a visit to the board by Senator Gary Humphreys, Chair of the Senate Committee on the Welfare of International Students. 

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    TDA response to Skills Australia papers

    TDA has responded to the Skills Australia discussion papers relating to the development of the Australian Workforce Development Strategy.

    The papers are What Does the Future Hold? Meeting Australia’s skill needs (Background Paper 1) and Powering the Workplace. Realising Australia’s skill potential (Background Paper 2).

    In its response, TDA says it “supports the proposed coordinated approach to a national workforce development strategy by Skills Australia that builds on work being undertaken by states and territories, government departments, Industry Skills Councils and education providers as providing a welcome impetus for change”.

    To view TDA’s response click here.

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    TDA on judging panel for the Australian Training Awards 

    The Australian Training Awards will be held this week in Canberra and will showcase some of Australia’s most skilled students.

    TDA’s Director, Stakeholder Engagement, Pam Caven is representing TDA on the judging panel. This will be Pam’s third year of judging – TDA thanks Pam for a great contribution.  

    TDA recently responded to a discussion paper by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations on the categories of the awards. View the response here.

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    New Victorian Skills Commission members

    The Victorian Government has announced the new members of the Victoria Skills Commission who will oversee the rollout of TAFE and training reforms during the next three years.

    The Skills and Workforce Participation Minister, the Hon Jacinta Allan, said she hoped that the new Commission would have a strong industry focus and would encourage more students into skills training. To read more click here.

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    Transfer of marketing and promotions from AEI to Austrade

    From July 2010, the marketing and promotional activities carried out by Australian Education International will be transferred to Austrade.

    While the broad intent of the move is clear, there remain a number of questions about the implementation and funding of such a move.

    TDA will engage in further consultations with AEI and Austrade to ensure that marketing and promotion of Australian education is not compromised.

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    New jobseeker taskforce

    The Minister for Human Services, the Hon Chris Bowen MP and the Minister for Employment Participation, the Hon Senator Mark Arbib, have announced a new taskforce to provide more support for Australian jobseekers during the emergence from global recession.

    Mr Bowen said the taskforce would focus on new and innovative ways to strengthen Government service delivery for job seekers and employers through better use of the services of Centrelink and employment services, especially Job Services Australia.

    To read more click here.

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    TAFE features in good practice report

    The Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations has released a report titled Examples of good practice in assisting international students to integrate with Australian students and the wider community.

    This timely report features examples from seven TDA members and has been strongly supported by TDA. The report can be viewed online here.

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    Webinar on education opportunities in the ASEAN region  

    Austrade is launching a series of industry-based webinars, including one on education opportunities in the ASEAN region.

    It will be held on Tuesday 24 November 2009 and is free. For more information click here. 

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    National Quality Council update

    The National Quality Council (NQC) has released its November newsletter, Quality Council Focus which includes an update from Patrick McKendry, NQC Chair.

    Click here to view the latest edition.

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    Diary Dates

    TAFE DIRECTORS AUSTRALIA
    Mick Young Oration – delivered by the Treasurer, the Hon Wayne Swan MP

    DATE:

    18 November 2009

    LOCATION:

    Parliament House, Canberra

    DETAILS:

    To book click here.
    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
    TAFE GOVERNANCE AND REGUALTIONS FORUM

    DATE:

    25-26 February 2010

    LOCATION:

    Hilton on the Park, Melbourne

    DETAILS:

    Click here for more information

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