Newsletter 8 August 2011

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    Australian delegation strengthens ties with India – TDA represented

    Stephen Conway, Managing Director, TAFE SA Adelaide South Institute in India

    An Australian delegation has visited India to develop further links between Australian and Indian higher education.

    The group included heads of universities, TAFEs, and the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator the Hon Chris Evans. The Chair of TDA, Stephen Conway, accompanied the South Australian Trade Mission to India, and Neil Fernandes, Managing Director of Central Institute of Technology (WA) represented TDA at the inaugural meeting of the Australia India Education Council (AIEC).

    The AIEC met in New Delhi, and soon afterwards, the Australian Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Jobs, Senator Hon Chris Evans, addressed the Confederation of Indian Industry. Click here to view a media release.

    TDA will carry a full report on the Australian Mission in next week’s TDA National Newsletter.

     

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    USA, Canada and UK leadership to address TDA National Conference

     – Tertiary degrees for Colleges, and Green Skills for sustainable training agendas

    The TDA National Conference will feature an exciting line-up of international speakers, to exchange trends across two of key issues approaching the Australian TAFE, and international College systems.

    Leadership from the UK and Canadian College systems, and US College leaders from the US Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCBA) will discuss issues for Colleges offering degrees.

    And six leaders led by Mindy Feldbaum, Senior Director, Workforce Development Programs, National Institute for Work and Learning (AED), and including representatives of the Gates Foundation and US Department of Energy, will form a dedicated panel of green-skills experts from the United States.

    Other speaker panels will feature prominent education and training leaders from the United Kingdom, U.S. and Canada. Click here for the full program

    The Conference will discuss formation of a ‘Community of Practice’ in key policy areas, to better link TAFE, Community Colleges and UK Colleges.

    For bookings, visit the TDA Conference website here.

    Don’t forget to book your place at the Conference Gala Dinner, featuring Therese Rein, Managing Director and founder of Ingeus, to be held 5 September at the Opera House.

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    Florida Broward Community College leader Dr Barbara Bryan guest at TDC Conference 

    Dr Barbara Bryan

    Dr Barbara Bryan, Campus President of Broward College, Florida USA, will be a special guest speaker at this year’s TDC Conference in Melbourne, 1-2 September.

    The TDC, formerly known as the TAFE Development Centre, is co-hosting Dr Bryan’s Australian visit with TDA, and she will make a guest speaker appearance on change management for teaching and learning.

    Dr Bryan and her northern Florida college had earlier hosted the Australian TDA/LH Martin Tertiary Mission to the US in April, and outlined the issues of rapid change in Florida, and the introduction of four-year Baccalaureate degrees. Bookings can be made here.  

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    Busy start-up for VET regulator (ASQA)

    In its first month of operation, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has received more than 2,000 calls and answered more than 1,300 email inquiries.

    The new regulatory body has launched an online application where registered training organisations can register, renew their registration application, change the scope of their application, and pay fees online.

    Click here for the latest update from ASQA. 

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    Tertiary regulator (TEQSA) underway

    The new Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has now begun operations for higher education providers, and will be supported by a new website (www.teqsa.gov.au).

    Members are being advised to contact Canberra-based staff with queries relating to the development of standards, legislation, and regulatory approach. For TEQSA related enquiries please continue to contact Lisa Schofield directly at lisa.schofield@deewr.gov.au.

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    Merger likely for Canberra Institutes

    The University of Canberra and the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) should merge according to a new report by Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley, effective 1 January 2012.

    The commissioned report by the ACT Government argued that the ‘dual sector’ university merger between UC and CIT was in the context of three large education institutions operating in a relatively small population within Canberra. Professor Bradley suggested the best outcome would be a dual-sector university with characteristics of both institutions being respected if a merger was to be supported.

    The report will go to the ACT Government for decision by November this year.

    Click here to view the report. Click here for a response from the ACT Education Minister, Andrew Barr.

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    Queensland shift to competitive structure

    Queensland will shift to a fully-contestable VET funding system over the next three years, under the guidance of a ministerial taskforce.

    The state will follow a system not unlike Victoria’s where the government will provide subsidised training places for students undertaking initial qualifications. However students won’t lose subsidies for subsequent qualifications at lower levels. Click here for an article from The Australian. 

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    Invitation to join WorldSkills delegation to the UK

    TAFE directors are invited to register to join business, government, education and industry leaders on a delegation to London, coinciding with the 41st WorldSkills Competition in October.

    Delegates will attend the WorldSkills Competition, as well as forums, conference sessions, study visits, networking and cultural exchange programs.

    For more information click here.

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    TAFE NSW links with the boating industry

    Susan Hartigan, R/Deputy Director-General TAFE and Community Education and Darren Vaux, President Boating Industry Association of NSW

    The Boating Industry of Australia (BIA) association and TAFE NSW have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in an effort to strengthen the sustainability of the industry through skills development; support employers through the availability of job-ready candidates; define clearer career pathways; and increase access to training and skills recognition options.

    The signing of the MOU coincided with the 44th Sydney International Boat Show, Australia’s largest boat show, which wrapped-up last week at the Sydney Exhibition Centre and Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour.

    Experts from TAFE NSW and the BIA NSW were on-hand throughout the show to answer questions about marine industry careers and provide advice to boating enthusiasts about TAFE NSW courses and qualifications. Click here to view a media release.

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    Diary Dates

    SKILLSDMC
    2011 National Conference
    DATE: 10 August, 2011
    LOCATION: Four Season’s Hotel, Sydney
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    TAFE NSW MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
    2011 Conference
    DATE: 26 August, 2011
    LOCATION: Menzies Hotel Sydney
    DETAILS: Click here for more information

    TDC TEACHING & LEARNING CONFERENCE
    DATE: 1 September, 2011
    LOCATION: Woodward Conference Centre, Carlton, Victoria
    DETAILS: More information here

    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

    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

    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

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

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