Newsletter: 18 January 2010
Australia hosts China VET leadership program
Review of higher costs of regional education
Job Ready Program information available
Tuition Assurance Scheme up and running for 2010
Downturn in student visa applications
TAFE career advisors receive scholarships
Applications open for Cooperative Research Centres Program 2010
Launch of global peak bodies’ newsletter
Welcome to 2010
TAFE Directors Australia welcomes its members and stakeholders to an exciting 2010.
This year we welcome TDA’s new Chair, Bruce Mackenzie (CEO of Holmesglen Institute of TAFE). Previously, Bruce has served as Deputy Chair, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee.
Bruce Mackenzie takes over from Deb Daly who is moving to the role of Chief Operating Officer in the Queensland Department of Education and Training. We thank Deb for her outstanding contributions as Chair, and wish her all the best in her new role.
Wayne Collyer continues as Deputy Chair, and will be Acting Chair during a period of leave in February for Bruce Mackenzie. New elections for all TDA Board directors will take place at the next TDA AGM, scheduled in Sydney, on 28 May.
CEO of TDA, Martin Riordan is currently undertaking his Fullbright Scholarship in the U.S. and will return in April. Director, Policy and Stakeholder Engagement, Pam Caven is acting CEO during Martin’s absence.
TDA looks forward to continuing to represent its members and advance the agenda of skills on a national level in 2010.
Australia hosts China VET leadership program
Up to 48 vocational education leaders from across China are due to arrive in Australia in March to commence an intensive four week leadership program being organised by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and TAFE Directors Australia.
The four week program includes high level briefings from senior VET leaders in Australia and a two week placement in one of eight TAFE Institutes.
TAFE NSW’s Sydney Institute will host the group for the first week and other participating institutes are Box Hill Institute, Brisbane North Institute of TAFE, Central Institute of Technology in WA, Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Southbank Institute, TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute, TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute and University of Ballarat TAFE Division.
Review of higher costs of regional education
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has released an issues paper which examines the higher costs of providing education in regional areas and the appropriateness of regional loading.
Regional loading is paid to eligible higher education providers in recognition of the higher costs of provision and totalled $31 million in 2009.
DEEWR is calling for responses to the paper: Review of Regional Loading – Issues for Regional Provision. Submissions are due 26 February. Click here to view a background note from the Department. Click here to view a media release about the review.
Job Ready program information available
Information about the Commonwealth Government’s Job Ready Program has been added to the DEEWR website.
The program began this month and will be undertaken by all people applying for a skills assessment in order to gain permanent residency.
For more information about the program click here. To view a set of Q&As click here.
Tuition Assurance Scheme up and running for 2010
TDA’s Tuition Assurance Scheme for VET and Higher Education providers is on a sound footing for 2010 with all Australian underwriters agreeing to renew coverage of the Scheme.
All members have renewed their membership and TDA welcomed one new member for 2010. TDA was particularly pleased to be able to negotiate a modest increase in premiums and maintain a full 100% coverage.
Downturn in student visa applications
On-shore student visa applications have fallen by almost 10% in the first four months of the 09/10 financial year while offshore applications fell by almost 23% according to figures released by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
The most significant changes in student visa applications relate to:
India (down 29% overall and 46% offshore)
Nepal (down 65% overall and 85% offshore)
Korea (down 6% overall and 20% offshore)
Brazil (down 11% overall and 20% overall).
The only significant growth was from Vietnam which was up by 20%. China remains relatively stable with an overall increase in applications of 6%.
Issues of student safety and quality of provision are clearly having an impact as is the more stringent approach from DIAC in ensuring the integrity of applications. An increase of $6,000 per annum in the living cost component of a student visa, as well as the continuing strength of the Australian dollar may also be having an impact.
DIAC has assured TDA that any examples of unfair treatment of student applicants during the visa application process will be treated seriously. Senior DIAC officials recently held a briefing for providers and agents in India.
TDA is also reassured by recent media reports from China and India which indicate public providers are increasingly being seen as the preferred provider for study in Australia.
TAFE career advisors receive scholarships
The winners of the 2009 Scholarships for Career Advisors have been announced including five from TAFE Institutes. Click here to view the recipients.
There were two categories of scholarships awarded: the Study Scholarship provides each career advisor with $5,000 to assist in post-graduate studies to upgrade qualifications; the Industry Placement Scholarship recipients receive $10,000 for short-term industry placements to improve knowledge of workplaces, occupations and industries. Click here for more information.
Applications open for Cooperative Research Centres Program 2010
The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr has announced the opening of the 2010 Cooperative Research Centres Program Selection Round.
The Program will have a key focus on manufacturing and social innovation. Information sessions will be held around the country during February and March. Application close 2 July. To view a media release click here.
The Minister also announced successful CRCs from the previous round. To view a media release click here.
Launch of global peak bodies’ newsletter
The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) has released its first newsletter.
The newsletter highlights the upcoming 5th World Congress to be held in the UK during November. It also gives a review of news from peak technical bodies from around the world, including an update from TDA regarding recent research and international missions.
To view the newsletter click here.
Project management workshops
The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (CSHISC) is running a series of project management workshops in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne throughout February and March.
The workshops will enable participants to better utilise project management, identify warning signs that could take a project off track and implement solutions. The workshops will include:
Avoiding Project Disasters – TITANIC. For more information click here.
The Great Escape: Project Management Workshops. For more information click here.
Diary Dates
TAFE GOVERNANCE AND REGULATIONS FORUM
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DATE: |
25-26 February 2010 |
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LOCATION: |
Hilton on the Park, Melbourne |
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DETAILS: |
Click here for more information |
SERVICE SKILLS AUSTRALIA
National Conference
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DATE: |
1-2 March 2010 |
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LOCATION: |
Sydney Convention and Exibition Centre |
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DETAILS: |
Click here for more information |
AVETRA
2010 Conference
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DATE: |
8-9 April 2010 |
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LOCATION: |
Holiday Inn, Surfers Paradise |
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DETAILS: |
Click here for more information |
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