Newsletter 5 September 2011

    Minister Piccoli launches 2011 TDA National Conference

    The NSW Education Minister, the Hon Adrian Piccoli MP, today launched the 2011 TAFE Directors Australia National Conference in Sydney.

    The Minister said the incoming NSW Government was committed to lifting productivity and workforce participation, and he intended to consult stakeholders with any VET reform proposed by COAG and the Ministerial Council (MCTEE).

    Following his address to delegates, the Minister launched the National TAFE Alumni Gallery – a ‘wall of talent’ featuring 40 successful TAFE graduates from across Australia.

    The Minster also met with former Hornsby College arts student and two-time Archibald Prize finalist, Apple Yin, who is exhibiting her artworks throughout the duration of the conference.

    Last night, the almost 350 conference delegates were welcomed at a reception at the Sheraton on the Park hotel, and were entertained by singer-songwriter, Tim Freedman.

    TDA looks forward to hosting special guest, Therese Rein tonight at the Gala Dinner to be held at the Sydney Opera House.

    Click here to view the Conference website.

     

    Artist, Apple Yin, TDA Deputy Chair, Di Murray, Minister Piccoli, and TDA Chair Stephen Conway, at the TAFE National Alumni Gallery.

    Artist, Apple Yin with Minister Piccoli at the Apple Yin Exhibition at the 2011 TAFE Directors Australia National Conference

     

    [Return to top]

    Ministers agree to improve tertiary responsiveness

    A focus on quality, improved information, and the responsiveness of the tertiary system as a whole, were the key elements of the second 2011 meeting of Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment (MCTEE).

    The State, Territory and Federal Ministers also agreed that apprenticeship reform should focus on a competency-based system to improve responsiveness to industry needs, as well as greater support services and improvements in completion rates.

    Click here to view the communiqué.

    [Return to top]

    Federal Government supports Libyan students in limbo

    The Federal Government has announced it will assist around 650 Libyan students who have been disrupted by the ongoing upheaval in Libya.

    The students – in Australian on scholarships funded by the diposed Libyan Government – were unsure if they could continue their studies. The Government announced a $1.5 million loan to the Libyan embassy  to support the students and their families in the coming months.

    Click here to view a media release.

    [Return to top]

    Disparities hindering tertiary sector

    The gap between TAFEs and universities has widened, not closed, effectively going against the recommendations of the Bradley Review for a connected tertiary sector, according to Martin Riordan.

    In an address to the University and Tertiary Education Symposium at University of Sydney last week, Mr Riordan the inability of TAFE Institutes offering higher-education qualifications to access Commonwealth Supported Places has diminished the Bradley vision of a strong, unified tertiary sector.

    He also argued that disparities between TEQSA and AQSQ regulations should have been addressed, and that changes to visa rules – giving universities more opportunity in the international student market, and lumping TAFE with private providers – has further widened the gap between the sectors.

    View Mr Riordan’s speech here.

    [Return to top]

    Review of COAG reform agenda underway

    The Productivity Commission has invited contributions to a report into the impacts and benefits of the COAG reform agenda, with a particular emphasis on VET.

    See a circular here.

    The Productivity Commission has been asked by the Government to conduct an inquiry into the reforms every two to three years.

    The focus of this first inquiry is in two areas:                                    

    1. deregulation priorities of the ‘seamless national economy’, and
    2. vocational education and training (VET) reforms and initiatives that support successful transitions from school.

    The Commission’s final report is due March 2010.

    [Return to top]

    Bradley reforms to deliver better productivity

    Implementation of the Bradley reforms can do more for GDP and living standards growth than any other single publicly identified cost reform according to new modeling undertaken for Universities Australia.

    The report says the Bradley reforms would add 6.4% to Australia’s GDP by 2040, and deliver a budget surplus of more than $325 billion more than no-response over the period of 2011-2040.

    Click here for more.

    [Return to top]

    Intellectual property system winding-up

    The AEShareNet Licensing system, which manages and licenses intellectual property in the VET sector, will be suspended from 16 September.

    The system is closing in conjunction with the wind-up of TVET.  Those Institutes using the system are encouraged to source other available options, and contact Madiha Elmolla, AEShareNet Officer (03 9832 8129, or madiha.elmolla@tvetaustralia.com.au) for more information.

    [Return to top]

    Competency-based training doesn’t always support innovation

    To remain competitive, innovative industries need a training system that emphasises ‘learning to learn’ rather than just specific technical skills, according to research published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).

    The report which is based around the mining, solar energy and computer games sectors, finds the present model of competency-based training and training delivered via training packages doesn’t always support innovation. It says that to develop innovation, students need to be taught how to learn, not just the skills needed for the job.

    Read more here.

    [Return to top]

    Diary Dates

    TDA CONFERENCE
    2011 National Conference
    DATE: 5-6 September, 2011
    LOCATION: Sheraton on the Park Hotel, Sydney
    DETAILS: More information here

    FORESTWORKS
    Annual Industry Development Conference - Productivity & Competitiveness
    DATE: 13-15 September, 2011
    LOCATION: Hyatt Hotel and Parliament House, Canberra
    DETAILS: More information here

    2011 NSW TRAINING AWARDS
    Presentation Event
    DATE: 15 September, 2011 – 6pm
    LOCATION: The Ballroom, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
    DETAILS: Tickets available here

    EyeQ 2011
    ‘eyecons of e-learning’ conference
    DATE: 16 September, 2011
    LOCATION: Brisbane
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    AGRIFOOD
    2011 National Conference
    DATE: 22 September, 2011
    LOCATION: Brisbane
    DETAILS: Click here for more information.

    AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
    2011 Conference
    DATE: 11-14 October, 2011
    LOCATION: Adelaide Convention Centre
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    AUSTAFE National Conference
    2020 Vision
    DATE: 12-14 October, 2011
    LOCATION: Canberra
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    AUSTRALIAN FLEXIBLE TRAINING FRAMEWORK
    ePortfolios Australia Conference 2011
    DATE: 17-18 October, 2011
    LOCATION: Perth
    DETAILS: Click here for more information.

    CS&HISC
    Making a Difference... 2011: Breaking Through the Barriers
    DATE: 19-20 October, 2011
    LOCATION: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    GROUP TRAINING AUSTRALIA
    Looking ahead - Group Training National Conference
    DATE: 19-21 October, 2011
    LOCATION: Grand Hyatt, Melbourne
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    2011 ATMA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
    DATE: 9-10 November, 2011
    LOCATION: William Angliss Conference Centre, Melbourne
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    AAIR FORUM
    Australasian Association for Institutional Research Forum “Let the sunshine in”
    DATE: 9-11 November, 2011
    LOCATION: Sea World Resort, Gold Coast
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    TERTIARY EDUCATION FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (TEFMA)
    Grounds for Learning Workshop
    DATE: 14-16 November, 2011
    LOCATION: Monash University, Clayton Campus, VICTORIA
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    STRATEGIC REGIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
    ‘For innovation’
    DATE: 18 November, 2011
    LOCATION: The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    2011 AUSTRALIAN TRAINING AWARDS
    DATE: 25 November, 2011
    LOCATION: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Bank
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    [Return to top]

    To subscribe or unsubscribe to the TDA Newsletter click here.