“Executive Leaders in a Tertiary Environment” – TDA Pre-Conference PD program announced We invite you to join the TDA2012 pre-conference PD tertiary workshop, which will be held at The Hyatt Regency Hotel, Perth on Wednesday, September 5. The combined sessions address what it means to be a higher education provider in a TVET environment. This will include an interactive session facilitated by the L H Marin Institute and ATEM will look at capacity building for an agile organisation. For full details of the pre-conference program will be circulated direct to all TDA member Institutes this week. If you are not attending the conference, but would like to register for the workshops please click here. We would like to thank The L H Martin Institute for sponsoring the PD event, and joint support from both the L H Martin Institute and ATEM. 
Robin Shreeve briefs TDA Board on new skills agency CEO of Skills Australia, Robin Shreeve, has briefed the TDA Board on the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency, and outlined key issues in the Agency’s first discussion paper Australia's Skills and Workforce Development Needs. The Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Senator the Hon. Chris Evans, launched the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA) in Canberra. The agency is an extension of Skills Australia as the authority on workforce development policy and advice. The aim of the new agency is to improve long-term workforce planning and development to address skills and labour shortages, and contribute to improvements in industry and workplace productivity. The agency is inviting you to submit responses to the discussion paper before 27 August. Click here to access the discussion paper. For more information, click here or visit the AWPA website.
Emeritus Professor Terry Lloyd congratulated by TDA Board The TDA National Board has congratulated Terry Lloyd on his nomination as Emeritus Professor at the University of Ballarat, in recognition of his leadership role for TAFE at the University. Terry Lloyd recently announced his retirement as Deputy Vice Chancellor and Director of TAFE, after joining the University of Ballarat in 2001. He had served in previous education and leadership executive roles at NMIT and Chisholm Institute of TAFE. The Board honoured Terry at a dinner in Melbourne. The Chair of TDA, Stephen Conway, thanked Terry for his leadership of TAFE at the University of Ballarat, and his role within the dual sector membership of TDA. .jpg) (L-R) Martin Riordan, CEO, TDA; Stephen Conway, Chair, TDA; and Emeritus Professor Terry Lloyd, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Director of TAFE, University of Ballarat
New study examines ‘culture’ in apprenticeship completions A new report from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) says employers with at least 25 apprentices generally have higher apprenticeship completion rates. The report, The role of ‘culture’ in apprenticeship completions by Tom Karmel and David Roberts, analyses apprentice data from 2007 and looks at the impact of social background and employer size on apprentice completion rates. It also looks at completion rates across government, group training and other private sector employers. Click here for more information. Click here to read The role of culture in apprenticeship completions report.
Outstanding response to Chilean Scholar’s medical emergency A few weeks ago TDA received word from Box Hill Institute that one of our Chilean scholarship holders had been rushed to hospital for emergency surgery. Within 24 hours there had been an outstanding response to supporting the student: - Box Hill Institute staff were at the hospital straight away, continue to make regular visits, and are providing support for the other Chilean students studying at the institute
- Kangaroo Tours, our agent in Santiago, kept the family up to date with progress and liaised with BECAS Chile, the government agency responsible for the scholarship program
- Holmesglen and TDA, as the managing contractors for the scholarship program, committed funding for a return flight for a relative to stay with the student during his convalescence
- Campus Travel, TDA’s corporate travel agency, also offered financial assistance
- Kangaroo Tours committed to covering visa and travel insurance costs for the relative
- Box Hill are looking after accommodation and living costs for the relative
- The Chilean students are organising a fund raiser to ensure any additional costs are met.
Fortunately the surgery was successful. Last week, the student’s sister arrived from Chile and we are delighted she is here to support her brother during his convalescence. At a time when TAFE is being placed under significant pressure, this response highlights just how committed our institutes and our partners are to the welfare of students, both local and international.
Flexible Learning consultancy in Papua New Guinea TDA has been asked to help identify a suitably qualified strategic planner to develop a flexible learning plan for the PNG TVET sector. The role requires three weeks based in Port Moresby in August/September and includes the production of a three year strategic plan and an organisational structure for the PNG Flexible and Open Learning Branch. For a detailed description of the role please email peter.holden@tda.edu.au
TAFE calls for course subsidies in skill-shortage areas Holmesglen Institute has called for courses in skill-shortage occupations to be funded outside universities. Chief executive Bruce Mackenzie told The Australian that the government could not tackle skill shortages or achieve social inclusion if government-funded higher education places remained exclusive to universities. He said non-universities should be able to deliver subsidised programs in areas such as building, accounting, health sciences and early childhood education, as long as professional accreditation bodies endorsed their courses. Click here to read the full story.
Report says Indian students robbed of migration chances A report from the Australia India Institute says rules surrounding migration visas need to be altered if Indian students are able to hope they can relocate to Australia. The report calls for Indian student visas to be extended, to allow the students to weigh their options. Under the new migration system, former students must await an invitation to apply for skilled migration. Click here for the full story.
Webinar: Early child care training in Malaysia Australian education providers have an opportunity to learn how they can deliver early child care programs in Malaysia. The webinar will take place from 12-1pm, 25 July, and can only be attended by those who apply. Click here for more information.
Diary Dates ATEM
Cross Sectoral Partnerships Symposium
DATE: 9 August 2012
LOCATION: Sydney – venue TBA
DETAILS: Click here for more information NATIONAL SKILLS WEEK
DATE: 27 August – 2 September
LOCATION: Various
DETAILS: Click here for more information TDA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
DATE: 6 - 7 September 2012
LOCATION: Perth, Western Australia
DETAILS: Click here for more information TDC TEACHING & LEARNING CONFERENCE
DATE: 6 - 7 September 2012
LOCATION: Victoria
DETAILS: Click here for more information SKILLS AUSTRALIA AND INDUSTRY SKILLS COUNCIL JOINT CONFERENCE
DATE: 3-4 October
LOCATION: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
DETAILS: Details will be available at http://www.skillsaustralia.gov.au AUSTAFE 2012 NATIONAL Conference
TAFE on TARGET
DATE: 3-5 October 2012
LOCATION: Alice Springs NT, Kirribilli, Sydney
DETAILS: More information contact Lyle Mellors at lyle.mellors@cdu.edu.au THE VETnetwork AUSTRALIA BIENNIAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE
DATE: 17-19 October 2012
LOCATION: National Convention Centre, Canberra
DETAILS: Click here for more information 2012 AAIR ANNUAL FORUM
DATE: 12 – 14 November 2012
LOCATION: Crowne Plaza Terrigal, NSW
DETAILS: Click here for more information AUSTRALIAN TRAINING AWARDS
DATE: 16 November 2012
LOCATION: Melbourne
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
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