Newsletter: 1 February 2010

Virginia Simmons receives Australia Day honours

TDA releases Federal Budget submission

TDA’s response to Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program Guidelines

High level Indian delegation in Australia

Indian students’ union holds protest rally

Trade figures for 2008/2009 released

Opportunity to represent TDA on community services reference group

Federal Government’s My School website launched

TDA represented on community services Industry Reference Group

Diary Dates

Virginia Simmons receives Australia Day honours

TAFE Directors Australia congratulates Chisholm Institute of TAFE Director and Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Simmons, who was awarded an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia 2010 during Australia Day celebrations this week.

Virginia is one of only 27 people in Australia to be awarded the AO in 2010.

The Award recognises her service to education as a leader and advocate for vocational education and training, through reform of the Victorian TAFE Association, contributions to professional organisations, international advisory roles and as a mentor to women.

Virginia has been an outstanding contributor to TAFE Directors Australia, and on behalf of members, we congratulate Virginia for this honourable achievement.

Click here to read more about Virginia’s achievement (page 23 of PDF). See an article from the Bayside Leader here.

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TDA releases Federal Budget submission

TDA has submitted ideas and priorities for the 2010-2011 Federal Budget to the Federal Treasurer, the Hon Wayne Swan MP.

See the submission here.

Among the suggestions were the introduction of an ‘at risk’ performance funding initiative, a structural adjustment fund for TAFE Institutes, funding to support the participation of low socio-economic status students in TAFE, funding for the implementation of green skills, and allocated research funding.

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TDA’s response to the Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program Guidelines

TDA was invited by DEEWR to comment on the proposed Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program (HEPPP) guidelines.

TDA expressed its dismay at the guidelines restricting eligibility for funding to those institutions listed in Table A and the total lack of recognition accorded to TAFE Institutes as potential partners in achieving the targets for the part of low SES students in higher education.

To view the original TDA letter click here. To view a secondary letter click here.

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High level Indian delegation in Australia

This week the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is hosting a delegation from India which includes senior officials from government and industry. The delegation will be visiting six TAFE Institutes in Victoria and NSW

TDA will be represented at a number of briefings and forums.

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Trade figures for 2008/2009 released

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has just released Australia’s trade figures by state and territory for the 2008/2009 financial year. Click here to view.

The export of education services generated over $16.6 billion and was the number one ranked services export in the majority of states and territories. The export of education services are listed under Travel: education-related and a summary of these services by state and territory is as follows:

State/Territory	Value	% change from previous year	Ranking (export services only)
NSW	$6.38b	21.1%	1
Victoria	$5.41b	23.2%	1
Queensland	$2.37b	27.4%	1
South Australia	$892m	22%	1
Western Australia	$1.12b	21.6%	2
Tasmania	$141m	16.5%	2
Northern Territory	$28m	27.3%	4
ACT	$260m	18.7%	1

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Indian students’ union holds protest rally

Indian protestors held a rally at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi last week to appeal to the United Nations to investigate the safety of Indian students in Australia.

The protestors, from the National Students Union of India, reportedly shouted anti-Australian slogans and up to 30 were detained.

Visit the Sydney Morning Herald or News.com.au for more on this story.

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Opportunity to represent TDA on industry reference group

TDA is calling for nominations for a Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council Industry Reference Group developing a language, literacy and numeracy competency framework for community services workers and volunteers.

Click here for more information. Click here for the Terms of Reference.

To nominate, please contact Pam Caven, Acting CEO, TDA.

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Federal Government’s My School website launched

The Federal Government has launched its controversial My School website that ranks the performance of primary and secondary schools across the country.

View the website here. To view a media release from the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, click here.

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TDA represented on community services Industry Reference Group

Director at the Centre for Integrated Health and Community Wellbeing, Chisholm Institute, Madelyn Lettieri, will represent TDA on the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council Industry Reference Group for the development of respite competencies.

TDA thanks Madelyn for her representation.

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Diary Dates

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH (NCVER)

National VET research priorities: 2010 and beyond

DATE: 5 February 2010

LOCATION: Victoria University Convention Centre, Melbourne